HARB Minutes
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at
7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2013. The meeting was held at the Borough Municipal Building, 59 E. High Street. A quorum was present. Those in attendance were: Board members Philip Goble, Colleen Lingle, Nancie Gudmestad, Peggy Gustafson and Aubrey Burkholder, Borough Code Enforcement Officer; Merry Bush, Borough Planning Technician and Historic District Administrator; and Scott Dellett, Borough Planning Director. Board member Jim McCabe was absent.
Also in attendance was Rod Simpson, Glenn Simpson & Son, representing the owners of
41 Delap Avenue.
Reorganization
As usual during the first meeting of the year, the Board reorganized. Merry Bush opened the floor for nominations for chairman. Gary Shaffer was nominated by Peggy Gustafson; Colleen Lingle seconded. There were no additional nominations so Philip Goble moved that the nominations be closed. Nancie Gudmestad seconded. Mr. Shaffer agreed to accept the position.
Colleen Lingle nominated Peggy Gustafson for vice chairman; Nancie Gudmestad seconded. There being no other nominations, Philip Goble moved to close the nominations; Aubrey Burkholder seconded. Peggy Gustafson agreed to serve as vice chairman.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
Gary Shaffer introduced the members and explained the procedures that would be followed during the meeting. He noted that the Board serves as an advisory group to Borough Council, which makes final decisions concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will next meet on Monday, February 11, 2013.
There were no changes to the agenda. The Board reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Philip Goble moved to accept the minutes as the official record of the December 19, 2012 meeting. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Exterior upgrades. Storage units. 41 Delap Avenue at intersection of Gilliland Alley. Owners. Pat Redding, Brian Redding, owners. Represented by Rod Simpson, Glen Simpson & Son, Inc.
The applicant proposes to remodel the existing storage unit into climate-controlled storage units and replace the existing metal roof with new Grand Rib 3 steel sheeting. The same material will be used as siding on all facades except the north elevation. Three commercial-type steel entry doors will be installed: one six-foot-wide double door and two three-foot-wide single doors. Stone veneer will highlight the new recessed entrance.
Recessed lighting will be installed at the soffit with spot lighting at the corners of the building. The rear of the building, running along Stevens Run, will be painted.
Background: The block building predates April 1931 as it shows up on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of that year. The building was also used for storage at that time.
Rod Simpson explained that the new owners plan to create a temperature-controlled storage facility. The exterior will be upgraded and the interior broken up into 35 storage units of various sizes. The units will be accessed from a center hallway.
The footprint will be maintained along with the existing structure and truss system. The owner is considering two color schemes for the project: ivory siding with a burgundy roof and hickory moss siding with a green roof.
Nancie Gudmestad if all the garage doors would disappear. When the applicant said yes, she expressed her concern with the use of the Grand Rib metal siding along the length of the building without any breaks. She suggested that fake windows with closed shutters be installed every 20 feet or so. She had done something similar on one of her buildings.
Peggy Gustafson suggested that a slight pediment be installed over the faux windows to match the porch overhang. She asked about the rear of the building facing Stevens Run. Rod Simpson said he planned to infill the windows with block. The rear would not be sided. When asked he explained that lighting fixtures on the corners of the building and the porch would be set to detect motion. Downlights would be installed in the soffit all around the building.
Colleen Lingle expressed concern that the color of the siding and roof material would fade. Mr. Simpson said that there is a 25-year color warranty given by the manufacturer.
Philip Goble asked about the HVAC system. The applicant said that there would be a six-inch space above each unit where ductwork would run. The units themselves will be located on the west side of the building. The temperature will be maintained at a minimum of 55 degrees in winter and a maximum of 75 degrees in summer.
Nancie Gudmestad asked if there will be access from the two smaller doors. Mr. Simpson said that card access will only be available at the main entrance. The other two doors will be fire exits only, as required by the building code.
Merry Bush said that the colonial-style porch posts are not appropriate for the proposed siding. The applicant agreed to replace them with six-inch by six-inch clad posts.
Gary Shaffer said that the rhythm of the south elevation could be maintained by installing vertical infill panels within the garage door openings and maintaining the block piers. He noted from the findings of fact that the structure is a sensitive building being over 80 years old. The applicant proposes to alter the use of the building by heating and cooling it. The building’s key significant features are the rhythm of the windows on the north elevation and the doors on the south elevation. He recommended that the rhythm of those significant features be maintained if possible. The north elevation has an original exposed CMU block wall exterior.
Findings of Fact: The structure under discussion at 41 Delap Avenue is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic District Ordinance). A sensitive building is defined as any building that has been standing for at least 50 years at the time of the application, even though it has been considerably modified, certain sites of later historic significance or buildings that the Board has determined to be exemplary of later architectural styles.
The replacement of siding and roofing materials is a permanent change, making this proposal a critical project, which is defined in the Historic District Ordinance as “A project involving demolition of all or part of any building or change in configuration and rhythm of any building as a whole, or any alteration to a sensitive building.”
The building is a non-contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District.
Based upon application materials submitted by the applicant: the proposed work will have little visibility from a public street, though portions will be visible from an alley.
Motions: Gary Shaffer made a motion to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be granted to the applicant for the retention of the existing exposed masonry CMU block wall on north elevation with window openings in filled leaving a slight recess. Infill can be CMU blocks or wood framed with stucco. Nancie Gudmestad seconded the motion, which passed 6 to 0.
The applicant suggested that he eliminate the proposed overhang at the entryway on the south elevation. The entry would still be recessed providing some cover for someone entering the building.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that Borough Council approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of metal siding on the east and west elevations as proposed in the application. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried 6 to 0.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that Borough Council approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the south elevation as modified in the Board’s discussion: the retention of the CMU block piers and maintenance of the rhythm of the [garage] doors on the south elevation by infilling for insulation and covering with proposed metal siding. The proposed porch will be eliminated. The recessed entrance will be located as proposed. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried 6 to 0.
Peggy Gustafson thanked Rod Simpson for being open to the Board’s suggestions.
B. Alteration. Replace glass block windows. Replace fence at Stratton Street with wall.
58-60 York Street. John Jumba, owner. Gary Shaffer, representative.
Gary Shaffer recused himself due to a fiduciary relationship with this applicant. Peggy Gustafson assumed the role of chairman.
The applicant has requested a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace two existing glass block windows on the east elevation and replace them with clad wood awning windows of the same size and replace the existing wood stockade privacy fence that runs at the edge of the Stratton Street parking lot, from the corner of the existing garage to the carriage house at the rear of the property. The new “fence” will feature masonry brick piers, a four-foot high brick masonry garden wall with an aluminum fence/rail on top of the wall for a total height of six feet. There will be an aluminum gate and light fixtures on top of the masonry piers.
Background: The original house was built ca. 1835 in the Federal style as a two-and-a-half-story, three-bay building with extended rear ell. The home was built for the family of George Swope. In 1860, a two-bay addition was added to the west of the original three-bay house, which blends with the original. Italianate-style alterations, including bracketed and paneled cornice across the front, decorative window hoods and bay windows, were introduced to the building in the late 19th century. A brick carriage house behind the main building was also added at that time. Following these alterations, a series of additions were undertaken to enlarge both the house with a two-story addition off the rear ell and the carriage house with a two-story garage addition in the mid 20th century. The building was confirmed by the National Park Service as a certified historic structure on April 14, 1998 and a certified rehabilitation on May 12, 1999 (see NPS Project #2754).
The main house retains exterior features of brick façade, primary entrance with steps, paneled door with sidelights and transom, column supported central oriel window, two-over-two windows with bracketed pediments, attic story windows with paneled frieze and bracketed cornice, two-story bay windows on side elevation and side porch entrance with decorative elements. The rear elevations are clad in new siding and stucco finishes. On the interior, many original features are retained including much of the original floor plan, stairways and balustrades, fireplaces and mantels, floors, wood moldings, doors and built-in shelving and cabinetry. The basement is unfinished. The carriage house consists of brick façade, a simple gable roof and two large paired wood and glass entrance doors and six-over-six wood windows. The 20th century additions are of simple brick with glass block, multi-light and two-over-two replacement windows, according to a 2012 Federal Historic Tax Credit application.
The applicant proposes to use the property as a small hotel.
Gary Shaffer submitted revised drawings for the Board’s consideration. Instead of replacing the existing glass block windows with clad-wood awning windows, the owner wishes to enlarge the window openings and install one-over-one wood clad replacement windows similar in dimension to the larger window on the second floor of the garage addition. The window farthest to the right will be located in a new accessible guestroom. If the windows were left the same size they would only be waist high. The block windows on the west elevation of the garage addition may remain glass block or in-filled. These windows are not visible from a public way.
The garage doors on the rear of the main building will remain. The former garage will house the accessible guestroom and a half-garage for storage of a snow blower and guests’ bicycles.
The new fence/wall will be a freestanding structure though it will touch the walls of the 1950 garage addition and the 1960 extension of the carriage house. The new wall is being proposed to enhance the N. Stratton Street entrance to the property. The accessible entrance will be located off the deck located at the western side of the property, which is not visible from the street.
Philip Goble asked if the fence along the top of the wall could be seen through. Mr. Shaffer said that metal fence would be made of powder coated aluminum and the courtyard would be visible through the fence.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 58-60 York Street is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic District Ordinance). A sensitive building is defined as any building that has been standing for at least 50 years at the time of the application, even though it may have been considerably modified, and certain sites of later historic significance or buildings that the Board has determined to be exemplary of later architectural styles.
The proposed work is considered a minor change which does not affect the integrity of the east elevation. The building is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District.
Based on the application materials submitted by the applicant: The proposed alteration to the east façade of the house and the addition of the masonry “fence” will have high visibility from N. Stratton Street and limited visibility from York Street, the main thoroughfare.
Motion: Colleen Lingle moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of two glass block windows on the east elevation of 58-60 York Street with larger one-over-one clad wood windows and the construction of a garden wall/fence with light fixtures on each brick pier, as described in the revised application, with one condition. The wall must be a standalone structure and not be attached to either the house or the carriage house. Philip Goble seconded the motion, which passed 5 to 0, with one abstention.
Gary Shaffer resumed the role of chairman.
Annual Historic Preservation Awards
Scott Dellett shared a handout describing the categories for the Historic Preservation Awards. The Board was asked to review the definitions and make suggestions at the February meeting. Merry Bush will prepare an Excel file listing all the 2012 applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Board will need to consider those properties that should be recommended for awards to be presented during the May 13, 2012 Council meeting.
Reports
Scott Dellett said he would like to revise the Historic District Ordinance so that it matches the sign ordinance. He asked the Board to review the ordinance looking for other items that need to be updated.
There being no additional business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush
Borough Planning Technician
Historic District Administrator