HARB Minutes

Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012. The meeting was held at the Borough Municipal Building, 59 E. High Street. Those in attendance were: Board members Peggy Gustafson, Colleen Lingle, Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; Merry Bush, Borough Planning Technician and Historic District Administrator; and Scott Dellett, Borough Planning Director. Two new Board members were introduced: James McCabe and Philip Goble. Nancie Gudmestad was absent. 

Also in attendance were: Larry Peters, Jr. representing 333-335 York Street; Deborah Gemmell for 162 E. Middle Street; Keith Bondonaro, 430 Baltimore Street; Maureen Walker, Emmett Patterson, Charles Suhr, Stevens & Lee, Robert Goldman, CDG Architects, for McDonald's, 517 Steinwehr Avenue; Dr. Walter Powell and Peter Monahan for 75 Springs Avenue, the former Meade School; and Micaela Fleming and Megan Gray, graduate students 

Review of Agenda and Minutes

Gary Shaffer introduced the members, welcoming the new Board 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 meet next on Monday, March 12, 2012. 

Dale Gettel moved to approved the January 18, 2012 minutes as written. Peggy Gustafson seconded. The minutes were approved. 

Proposed Culp Brothers Monument. 297 Steinwehr Avenue.

The PVT. J. W. Culp Memorial Camp #1961 Sons of Confederate Veterans is proposing the installation of a memorial to the Culp Brothers - David and (John) Wesley. One brother fought for the north and the other fought and gave up his life for the south. The memorial will be installed on top of an existing stone. A walkway of engraved bricks will be installed in a semi-circle around the stone to allow for viewing of all four sides of the monument. A wayside exhibit will be installed giving the history of the Culp brothers. The monument will be installed in time for the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Battle. 

Background: The property is located next to the American Civil War Museum and is the former site of a Shoney's Restaurant..

Peggy Gustafson asked about the overall height of the monument. Gary Castile, representing the application, said that the overall height of the monument would be six feet, with a four-foot-high engraved marker added to the existing stone. 

Jim McCabe asked for confirmation of the location of the portraits of the two soldiers. 

Findings of Fact: The site for the memorial is located within an established historic district, which brings it under the review right of the Board. The Board must consider the appropriateness for the site. 

Dale Gettel moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the proposed memorial as submitted. Philip Goble seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0. 

The application for 20-22 Breckenridge Street under Old Business was moved to the end of the agenda since the owner was not present and Gary Shaffer would discuss the application. 

Certificates of Appropriateness

A. Conceptual. New Construction. 517 Steinwehr Avenue. McDonald's Corporation, owner.

The owners of the McDonald's Restaurant located at 517 Steinwehr Avenue propose to demolish the existing building and build a new 4,824 square foot restaurant, essentially maintaining the existing footprint. The parking and access driveways will be maintained. The applicant asked for conceptual review.

Background: The current McDonald's restaurant was built c. 1970 with the drive-through portions added sometime in the mid-1970s. The Modern-styled building is constructed of cement block with brick veneer.

Charles Suhr spoke on behalf of the applicant. He said that the new building would be moved closer to the street and the play area and patio feature would go away. There will be an entrance from the Steinwehr Avenue sidewalk. He noted that throughout the country McDonalds is moving away from the mansard roof to a more contemporary-style building. The arcade, the trim around the windows and entrances, is a lighter color and made of a different material than the base building. This allows the building to be brighter at night. The accent color for the drive thru will be a different color and material. Three different color schemes and samples of materials were shown to the Board.

Colleen Lingle said that she preferred the terra cotta color but in brick not in dryvit/stucco. She said the terra cotta looked more colonial but would like to see a rounded-edge brick instead of the straight edges. Overall she said the design was fine within the context of the setting; it was not located in the center of the historic district surrounded by historic buildings. 

Dale Gettel said he also liked the terra cotta as it blends in with the theme of Gettysburg. He said that the new design looks pedestrian friendly. 

Jim McCabe said he would like to see a more rustic brick. He noted that porcelain tile is a look from the 1950s and that he would like to see stone used for the lighter colored material. 

Peggy Gustafson thanked the applicant for the clarity of the presentation. She asked if the group had seen The Revitalization Plan for the Heart of Gettysburg District and referred them to page 68, which shows a sketch of a redeveloped McDonald's on the same site. Ms. Gustafson asked why the color scheme shows the lighter color at the side, as well as the front. The applicant explained that the lighter color would highlight both the north entrance from the parking lot and the south entrance from the sidewalk. Ms. Gustafson noted that she has seen McDonald's restaurants in other areas that reflect the historic nature of the area. She specifically mentioned a restaurant in a classic clapboard building in New England and one in a historic English building in London. 

Emmett Patterson, owner of the local franchise, said his biggest concern was brand recognition, noting that 45 percent of sales are impulse purchases. He said he is unwilling to make the $2 million investment unless the signage is there to draw attention to the building. Mr. Patterson said he has struggled with the existing freestanding sign. The sign is internally lit and may remain as long as the only change made to the sign is the replacement of the panels. If the sign is removed, the new one would have to conform to the Borough's sign ordinance, which allows a maximum height of nine feet in the Historic District and must be externally lit. Peggy Gustafson pointed out that other businesses on Steinwehr Avenue have lowered the height of their signs. A rendering of a sign with halo lighting, essentially solid metal letters with lights attached to the rear. The light reflects off the building providing a glow or halo behind the letters. When asked what other McDonald's have this type of lighting, the applicant said there was such a sign in Dresher near Philipadelphia. Scott Dellett reported that the matter had been referred to the Borough Solicitor to determine whether the sign ordinance would allow such a sign. Charles Suhr said that the amount of signage that will be proposed is less than is shown in the color renderings. 

The Board expressed appreciation for the number of options that the applicant presented. The applicant will return with a formal application in April. 

B. New Construction. Pergola. 162 E. Middle Street. Deb Gemmell, owner.

The applicant has requested a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a 324-square-foot pergola in the rear yard. The pergola will not be attached to any building. Borough Council approved the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for an earlier pergola that has now been removed.

Background: The Queen Anne-style dwelling at 162 E. Middle Street was built ca. 1880. The building appears on the 1912 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map and according to the 1903 Gettysburg Directory was occupied by Mrs. Jennie K. Cobean, widow of R. C. Cobean; her son John Cobean, a piano teacher, and A. Danner Buehler. Later that year on Wednesday, December 30, 1903, John Cobean died at the age of 30 and 8 months from diabetes according to a local newspaper.

Jim McCabe complimented Deborah Gemmell, the owner, on the perfect house and landscaping. He asked the size of the pergola. Ms. Gemmell said it was 18 feet by 18 feet, the same size as the previous one but would not be attached to the house. She said she and her guests need shade in the heat of the summer. 

Peggy Gustafson asked why the previous pergola was removed. Ms. Gemmell said it was removed to prevent damage to the house. Ms. Gustafson then asked about the polycarbonate panel proposed for the top of the pergola. The applicant said the covering for the pergola was one-half inch thick with a two-inch grade to allow rain to run off. 

Findings of Fact: The structure at 162 E. Middle Street is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts 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 and certain sites of later historic significance or buildings that the Board has determined to be exemplary of later architectural styles. The building is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District.

Based on the application materials submitted by the applicant: the structure will be made of pressure treated wood and stained and will be slightly visible from Liberty Street as a six-foot-high fence encloses the yard. The structure will remain open at the sides and will be covered with a polycarbonate panel for shade. The structure will stand alone, not attached to any building. 

Philip Goble moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a stand-alone pergola made of pressure-treated wood; the wood will be stained or painted. Jim McCabe seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0. 

C. Alteration. Porch deck, columns, roof. 333-335 York Street. Larry Peters, Jr., owner.

The work, which has been completed, consisted of the replacement of the porch decking, roof shingles and two columns. The work was carried out without a Certificate of Appropriateness or building permit. 

Background: The structure at 333-335 York Street is part of a series of four attached-dwelling units that also include 329 and 331 York Street. The homes, c. 1900, are Folk Victorian in style. On the April 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, the homes were located on a single lot, but have since been divided into four separate parcels. The homes are constructed of brick with front and rear porches built of wood. 

The owner, Larry Peters, Jr. said he repaired the porch by replacing the decking and two columns. In addition, the porch roof shingles were removed and replaced. Mr. Peters said he kept the porch the same as the nearby ones. He wanted to maintain the wood decking to match those of the adjoining properties. He reported that the central railing had been removed and there are no plans to replace it. There were no other railings on the porch. 

Colleen Lingle asked why he had not replaced the center railing. Mr. Peters responded saying that it was a rental property and it was easier to move things in and out without the railing. Merry Bush asked what material was used to make the new columns. The response was fiberglass. 

Finding of Facts: The structure at 335-335 York Street is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts 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, and certain sites of later historic significance or buildings that the Board has determined to be exemplary of later architectural styles. 

The proposed work consists of a permanent change, making this proposal a critical project, which is defined in the Historic Districts 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 contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. 

Although the work was completed without the owner obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness or a building permit, in-kind materials were used for the porch decking and roof shingles. An alternate material was used for the replacement columns. The proposed work matches the porches at 329 and 331 York Street. The porches are highly visible from York Street.

Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of the front porch decking using in-kind materials, replacement of the porch roof shingles with same and replacement of two wood columns with new fiberglass columns to match an existing column.

Gary Shaffer recused himself as he has a fiduciary relationship with the following applicants. Peggy Gustafson assumed the role of chairman. 

D. Alteration. Accessible entrance. Front Elevation. 430 Baltimore Street. 

Keith Bordonaro, owner.

The owners must meet accessibility requirements for their new business, the Cupcake Café. They received a variance from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to delete the provision of furnishing an accessible parking space allowing them to create an accessible entrance at the front of the building. 

Background: The two-story building, a Neo-Eclectic design, first shows up on the April 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. The building is constructed of block covered with brick veneer. The building has served as a residence with a portion of the home reserved for commercial use - a live-work unit. Prior to World War II a seamstress occupied the commercial space and shortly after the war Dr. Lever opened his practice there. 

The applicants propose to remove a window on the south side of the main house and replace it with a 36-inch wide door that replicates the other two "front" doors. The smaller of the two porches facing Baltimore Street will be modified to raise the porch level and extend it to the front to access the new entry door using wood frame construction. The wood joists will be installed over the existing slate to make it level with the new entrance. The new porch would have a painted rim board with lattice infill below and a metal railing.

A portion of the masonry front porch and the masonry corner column will be removed to allow the installation of a new lift. The building code now requires lifts to be installed under the cover of a roof. The corner column will replaced with a square wood-like column. The owner will screen the lift with additional lattice work if needed. An awning will be installed over the new side entrance door. 

Gary Shaffer explained that a ramp will run from the street to the lift and steps. The ramp requires no curb or full railing because it is at ground level, which simplifies the installation and maintenance. There will be a black handrail with supports every six feet. 

Peggy Gustafson asked if the new handrail on the steps could replicate the existing railing or at least the way it is installed. Ms. Gustafson asked if the lift will be similar to the one at the Gettysburg College Safety Building on Stevens Street. Gary Shaffer said that the lattice must be removed to access that lift. In this case, the lattice will hide the lift on the side but will not have to be removed each time the lift is used. 

Finding of Facts: The structure at 430 Baltimore Street is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts Ordinance). A sensitive building is defined as any building that has been standing for at least 50 years at the time of the application. The proposed changes are major, bringing a significant change to the front façade. The building is a non-contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District. The proposed alteration would be a significant change to a defining feature of the front elevation. The proposed change would be highly visible from Baltimore Street.

Philip Goble made a motion to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of a window on the south side of the main house to be replaced with a 36-inch-wide door that replicates the other two "front" doors. The smaller recessed porch is to be modified by raising the porch floor and extending it to the front to access the new entry door using wood frame construction. The new porch is to have a painted rim board with lattice-infill beneath and a metal railing. Removal of a portion of the masonry porch and the masonry corner column to allow for the installation of a new wheelchair lift. The corner column will be replaced with a wood-like square column. The lift is to be screened with lattice matching that installed below the rim board. An new awning will be installed over the new side entrance door. 

Jim McCabe seconded the motion, which carried 5 to 0, with one abstention. 

E. Alteration. East and West Entrances. Meade School. 75 Springs Avenue. Monahan Partnership, LLC, owner.

Peter Monahan proposes to turn the former Meade School building into a 18-room hotel. He hopes to live in the third floor attic space with 3,000 square feet and 30-foot ceilings. The applicant proposes to construct a new entry stairway to the previously build west portico. A new parking lot will be built on that side of the building. The "front" doors facing east will be removed and in-filled with insulated windows and wood frame construction below. 

Background: The Meade School was built in 1896 to serve the increasing number of public school students. The two-and-one-half-story brick building's design was probably the architect's [G. E. Yesler, York] interpretation of several contemporary styles, spawned by the renewed interest in Henry Hobson Richardson (1838 - 1886), Tudor, the Italian Renaissance and the Mission Style from California, all incorporated on a rectangular shape. The building exhibits style elements of the older Romanesque genre (including round top arches over the main entrance, masonry walls with ashlar stonework, parapeted roof lines and two symmetrical towers), but also Tudor-style influences such as the central square tower, dominant front façade chimneys; and Mission-style shaped parapeted dormers. Reference: Pennsylvania Historical Resource Survey Form - GETT/HBSC-172-89. The building is featured in a nearby Lincoln Highway mural. 

Built to house high school students, the building served as an elementary school and most recently as a child care and pre-school center under the ownership of South Central Community Action Programs, Inc. (SCCAP). The center closed in 2011 due to cuts in state and federal funding.

Philip Goble asked if the lettering around the east entrance would remain. The applicant said yes. When Mr. Goble asked about the removal of the existing railing around the portico, Mr. Monahan said that the railing would be replaced and a matching railing installed at the steps.

Jim McCabe asked if the accessible ramp would remain. Mr. Monahan said it would remain as would the lift, which is in working order. Mr. McCabe asked about the area that will be come the parking lot. The applicant said that the area was once the school playground built upon macadam. The playground use continued but the macadam was covered with mulch. Mr. Monahan said that the area would serve as the parking area for the building and would include trees, shrubbery and rain gardens. 

Mr. McCabe asked about the type of railing that would be installed. Peter Monahan said that a black metal tubular railing would be used. Continuing, Mr. Monahan said that he hoped to one day install an awning over the steps. 

Peggy Gustafson questioned the infill of two windows with bead board below, noting that a similar infill was presented last month for a garage door at 60 York Street. Meade School is a fantastic building that has no use of bead board on its exterior. Gary Shaffer responded saying that bead board was used on the interior of the building. It was noted that the arched window and two side panels would remain. Ms. Gustafson suggested that another treatment might be designed for that entrance, perhaps using dark glass to give the impression of a open arch. Merry Bush suggested that a dark paint would make the infill seem to disappear.

Findings Of Fact: The structure at 75 Springs Avenue is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts 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, 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 a permanent change, making this proposal a critical project, which is defined in the Historic Districts 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 contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. 

The east entry way was in-filled with a curved window and doors with windows between 1950 and 1988 according to available photographic records. Overall the building retains much of its architectural and historical integrity. 

Based on the application materials submitted by the applicant: The proposed removal of the doors from the east entrance and replacement with an infill of windows and wood framing will be highly visible from Buford Avenue and Chambersburg and West streets. The proposed stairway on the west elevation would have minimum impact on the appearance of the building and may enhance it by covering the openings below the existing portico. The new stairs would be somewhat visible from both Springs and Buford Avenues. 

Dale Gettel moved to recommend that the application be granted a Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted. Philip Goble seconded. Peggy Gustafson then asked for separate motions. Mr. Gettel withdrew his motion and Mr. Goble withdrew his second. Dale Gettel then moved to recommend Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of a new main stairway at the west entrance. Philip Goble seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0 with one abstention.

Colleen Lingle moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued a for the replacement of the two "front" doors on the east elevation with an infill of two double-hung windows and a wood panel below. The motion was seconded by Jim McCabe. After a brief discussion, the motion was passed 4 to 1, with one abstention. Peggy Gustafson was the dissenting vote. 

Gary Shaffer resumed the role of chairman.

Old Business

A. Alteration. Replacement of front doors. 20-22 Breckenridge Street.

Gerard Michaels, owner.

The applicant has requested a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace existing wood front doors with new steel entry doors. The application was reviewed previously. A portion of the application was approved, however, there were concerns on how the new doors would be installed. Gary Shaffer, as HARB chairman, met with the contractor on site three different times. 

Background: The two-story brick duplex was built between 1868 and 1870 for James Pierce, owner of the Tillie Pierce House, 301 Baltimore Street. According to research carried out by Elwood Christ, it was one of the first post-Civil War constructions on Breckenridge Street. 

Gary Shaffer said that the doors may be original to the homes. The door at 20 Breckenridge Street has extensive deterioration. The six-panel wood door at 22 Breckenridge Street had several panels removed and glass installed. The transoms are intact. The proposal is to install narrower steel doors, approximately ¾-inch less on each side compared to the original opening. The metal replacement doors can go in without changing the openings. The doorway on the western unit has already been built out. The jams will be replaced. The metal door will be installed with a wood frame on the unit at 20 Breckenridge Street. According to Mr. Shaffer there will be very little change in appearance. The screen panels covering the transom windows will be removed and replaced with storm glass. 

Philip Goble asked about the feasibility of rebuilding the doors. Gary Shaffer said it was unlikely to be successful. The doors, made of old pine or fir, are not as substantial as you would expect for an 1870s construction. 

Findings of Fact: The structure at 20-22 Breckenridge Street is a sensitive building, as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts 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 and certain sites of later historic significance or buildings that the Board has determined to be exemplary of later architectural styles. The building is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District.

The proposed work will be highly visible from Breckenridge Street.

Based on the application materials submitted by the applicant: Proposed replacement doors for both units will be narrower six-paneled, pre-hung metal doors with a high profile. The screens over the transom windows will be replaced with glass panes.

Peggy Gustafson made a motion to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of the existing front doors with 30-inch-wide six- paneled steel doors. Transoms will remain but will have the screens covering them replaced with storm windows. The existing doors are to be donated to the HGAC Architectural Salvage Warehouse located on S. Washington Street. Colleen Lingle seconded the motion, which passed 6 to 0. 

Old Business-Historic Preservation Awards

Colleen Lingle and Peggy Gustafson volunteered to serve on a sub-committee with Merry Bush to prepare a list of properties for the Board to consider. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Merry V. Bush

Borough Planning Technician and 

Historic District Administrator