HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2010
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 7:34 p.m. Those in attendance were Board members Judi McGee, Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Nancie Gudmestad, Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; and Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator. A quorum was present.
Also in attendance were applicants A.J. Kramer for 100 Buford Avenue and Curt Grim for 59 York Street. Sharon Deoms Gleta is interested in serving on the Board as a real estate agent/broker and attended the meeting to observe.
Mr. Shaffer introduced the Board members and explained the procedures followed during each 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 on Monday, May 24, 2010.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
There were no changes or additions to the agenda.
Judi McGee moved to accept the minutes of the April 21, 2010 meeting as submitted. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0. Peggy Gustafson arrived after the vote.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Replacement of porch railing system. 100 Buford Avenue., A.J. Kramer, Sunshine Projects, owner.
The building housed the Knox Cadillac dealership in the 1950s. It has been modified over the years.
The applicant proposes to replace the second floor porch railing system with a new one made of PVC vinyl. The balusters will be square like the existing ones. There is a curved section of the railing at the eastern end of the building. The only company that could replicate this section would require a $2800 set up fee.
Nancie Gudmestad asked for clarification of the location for the curved section. Mr. Kramer described the section but noted that it is difficult to see from the ground. Peggy Gustafson asked Mr. Kramer to create a sketch showing what he had in mind. He proposing using two four-foot sections and one five-foot section similar to those existing with a half-sized post supporting the longer section. This design would give the illusion of a curved section from the ground floor.
Gary Shaffer pointed out that the Building Code has changed and that railing height of three-feet, six inches is required when a porch is over 30 inches high. He also pointed out that the first floor of the building was modified so the curved railing no longer relates to what is there now.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 100 Buford Avenue is located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as expanded by ordinance. The proposed change would have a high degree of visibility and is permanent in nature. The building has a mixed degree of integrity with alternate siding and replacement windows recently installed. The first floor was altered over time and before the Historic District was expanded to include Buford Avenue.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend approval of a second floor railing system built to commercial specifications, with a faceted straight railing and an additional ½-size support post at the east corner of the porch. Elwood Christ seconded. Motion carried 6 to 0.
Gary Shaffer said that while he had a previous fiduciary relationship with the applicant that was no longer the case.
Gary Shaffer recused himself since he has a fiduciary relationship with the following applicant.
B. Alteration. Front and alley windows. Dumpster screening. 59 York Street. Curt Grim, Curt Grim Realty, owner.
The building, more than 50 years old, once housed the local Chevrolet dealership. During the days of the dealership, cars were driven through the western section of the building so the existing front windows are not original to the building. The new front windows would be the same design and materials as the new replacement sashes recently installed throughout the rest of the building. The applicant proposes infilling three industrial style windows on the western façade of the building and installing two residential style windows matching other windows in the building. The International Building Code requires a window in each sleeping room when the building does not have a sprinkler system.
Judi McGee asked about the dumpster screening. Gary Shaffer said that it would start just to the left of the archway and would be a white PVC fence system though the applicant may consider using painted wood since it would be easier to replace in case of damage.
Nancie Gudmestad asked why the dumpster was being enclosed, she said that she would be concerned about taking trash out to an area where someone could easily hide. The screening is being required by the Zoning Hearing Board as a condition for a Special Exception approval for conversion apartments. Gary Shaffer said that the area was sufficiently lighted at night. Peggy Gustafson said that it would be very difficult to open and close the gate proposed along S. Stratton Street to enclose the dumpster if we experience the snow and icy conditions as of the 2010 winter.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend approval of new windows on the front elevation, infill of industrial windows and installation of new residential-style windows on the west elevation at the rear of the building and screening for the dumpster on the south side only. The proposed gate is not recommended for approval. Peggy Gustafson seconded. The motion carried, 5 to 0, with Gary Shaffer abstaining.
New Business-McDonalds
Merry Bush reported that she met with Emmitt Patterson, the owner of the Steinwehr Avenue McDonalds, to discuss the possibility that the restaurant could be demolished next year to make room for a new building. Mr. Patterson wants to locate the building at the street/sidewalk with parking and driveways to the sides and rear of the building. The Steinwehr Avenue Revitalization Plan also shows buildings including McDonalds fronting directly on the street.
It is quite likely that Corporate McDonalds will propose one of its standard suburban-style buildings. Ms. Bush asked the Board to stand firm and demand that the building be designed to sit on the street and not let McDonalds push an inappropriate building onto the Borough. The Board agreed and photos of McDonalds restaurants will be collected to document that other designs are possible.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator