HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2010
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 7:32 p.m. Those in attendance were Board members Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Nancie Gudmestad, new member Colleen Lingle, Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer, and Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator. Although Judi McGee was absent, enough members were present to constitute a quorum.
Also in attendance were applicants Barbara Sterner for 114 W. Middle Street; and Robert Queary for 243 Chambersburg Street.
New member Colleen Lingle was introduced to the Board. Ms. Lingle is a real estate broker and owner of All AmeriDream Real Estate, LLC, based in Hanover, PA. Gary Shaffer introduced the rest of the Board members and explained the procedures 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, July 26, 2010.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
There were no changes or additions to the agenda. Peggy Gustafson moved to accept the June 16, 2010 minutes as presented. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Replacement of windows destroyed in fire. 114 W. Middle Street. Clair & Barbara Sterner, owners.
The owners of the property wish to replace two windows on the front elevation and at least three on the rear. The windows were destroyed during a recent fire.
Barbara Sterner, the owner, provided specifications on Jefferson 100 and 200 Series Double Hung windows. Nancie Gudmestad asked if PVC was the same as vinyl. Gary Shaffer that PVC is not vinyl but is similar to Azec and is more expensive than clad wood. PVC can be painted and has the appearance of wood grain. Series 100 is a wood-clad window while the 200 Series is an upgrade to a PVC exterior sill and frame components. The new windows would not have muntins.
Peggy Gustafson asked why the applicant wasn't installing all wood windows like the original. Mrs. Sterner said that the insurance company will not pay for custom windows. Colleen Lingle requested that the applicant maintain all wood windows.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 114 W. Middle Street is located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance. The proposed work would be permanent in nature and highly visible from the public right-of-way. The building is also a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The building retains a high degree of historical and architectural integrity. The row house features segmented arched lintels and is part of a group of row houses built ca. 1880-1920 according to Elwood Christ, who worked on the historic survey committee.
Nancie Gudmestad made a motion that the proposed windows be installed but the existing window frames must remain uncovered. Any wood frames not damaged by fire shall be maintained. The third condition was that the third floor dormer must be configured to match the adjacent properties. Elwood Christ seconded the motion, which carried 6 to 0.
B. Alteration. Porch enclosure. 243 Chambersburg Street. Robert Queary and Shonna Flanigan, owners.
The home at 243 Chambersburg Street was built in 1904 according to the owner, Robert Queary. Mr. Queary first learned of the requirements in the Historic District after he had already removed the posts and rails from the side rear porches. The posts are in storage in the attic.
Elwood Christ asked if the new walls would be flush with the rest of the building. The applicant replied yes. Mr. Christ suggested that the walls be slightly offset to indicate the former location of the porches.
Dale Gettel asked the size of the porches. The applicant said the space was 24 feet by 6 feet. On the first floor the space would be divided into two spaces: a 12x6 utility room off the kitchen and the same size space added to the kitchen. On the second the floor the space would be evenly divided between a closet and bathroom.
Mr. Queary said that he did not intend to install any windows since they would only look into the neighbor's windows. Nancy Gudmestad asked if he planned to install aluminum siding to match the existing siding. Mr. Queary said that he hoped to reside the house with vinyl siding; it now has aluminum siding. He noted hail damage on the rear of the house where there are a number of dings in the siding.
Gary Shaffer said that there are new paints available for aluminum siding. Vinyl siding if installed can't be painted and gets dirty fairly quickly. Mr. Queary decided to maintain the existing siding and to install new aluminum siding on the enclosure that would match the height of the existing siding. There will be no windows and one door installed.
Findings of Fact: The building at 243 Chambersburg Street is located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance. The changes would be permanent in nature, and while there would be visibility from the alley there would be none from the public street. The building was built as a Folk Victorian with some remnants of that style remaining on the front porch.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to enclose the east and rear frame walls for use as listed in the application. The walls are to be covered with matching aluminum siding. Dale Gettel seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0. The applicant was told that any window replacement would have to be reviewed by the Board.
Gary Shaffer recused himself due to fiduciary relationships with the remaining applicants. Elwood Christ assumed the role of chairman.
C. Alteration. Replace rear porch with a larger one. 143B Baltimore Street. Rad Schultz, owner.
The owner proposes to replace the porch roof over the rear entrance with one that is slightly larger and more formal in appearance. The resident likes to sit outside. The window lintels suggest that this portion of the building was added at a later date. The second floor was added in the 1970s.
Peggy Gustafson asked if it was feasible to extend the porch over the windows. Rad Shultz said that it would bring the roof too close to the adjacent wall requiring that everything be built with fireproof materials. The building code requires that fire proof materials be used in any structure built less than five feet from an adjacent building or wall. Ms. Gustafson, noting that the drawings show chamfered columns, asked if the actual posts would be similar. The applicant said that was the plan. Gary Shaffer said that chamfered columns are available in PVC.
Findings of Fact: The building at 143B Baltimore Street is located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance, thus bringing the proposed changes under the review right of this Board. The building is also located within the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The porch roof was added at a later date giving the building a degree of mixed integrity. Most of the historical integrity is located on the front elevation. The proposed changes are visible from High Street but not from Baltimore Street.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend approval of the application as submitted. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0, with 1 abstention.
D. Alteration. Infill basement windows for HVAC venting. 109 York Street. Saint James Lutheran Church, owner.
Portions of the building were damaged by fire in 1967. The main church edifice was built in 1911, making the building over 50 years old. The building has been remodeled over the years. The existing boiler goes back to the 1968-1969 renovation after the fire.
Modern, efficient boilers require a direct vent to the outside. The new boiler will be relocated to an unused space that already has moisture problems. There will be a total of three small boilers to provide zoned heat for the entire building. While the boilers can share one intake vent, three exhaust vents are required; one for each boiler. The 20 x 18 inch intake vent will be installed in the existing stone infill of a previously filled window opening.
The exhaust vents will be installed in another window opening. The leaded glass panels will be removed and painted wood infill installed. The window trim and framing will remain, as will the central mullion. Three six-inch exhaust vents will be installed in the wood infill. The exposed exhaust vents will be painted to match the wood infill. Gary Shaffer said that this is the least invasive place to make the change. The framework of the windows will remain intact.
Elwood Christ asked why the intake and the exhaust vents could not be in the same window. Mr. Shaffer said that at least a 10-foot horizontal separation between the intake and exhaust vent is required.
Mr. Shaffer said that the lead glass from the window will be saved and hung in the church. The church has hung other windows as decorative elements inside the building. Mr. Shaffer said that the vents must be located 12 to 13 inches above the ground to prevent blockages by snow.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 109 York Street is located within the original Gettysburg Borough Historic District and is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The building was constructed ca. 1911. The changes to the basement are visible from the public highway.
Dale Gettel moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the project as presented. Peggy Gustafson seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0, with one abstention.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 17 so that Merry Bush can attend. The August meeting will be held at the Rec Park building, as will all future meetings until the Borough Hall renovation is complete. The work is expected to be completed in May 2011.
There was a brief discussion regarding wood vs. wood-clad windows. Colleen Lingle said that she will always push for wood windows so that the architectural integrity of the building can be maintained. Gary Shaffer said that the wood used in new windows is not of the same quality as the original wood. Manufacturers will not guarantee wood windows. Wood clad with aluminum or vinyl holds up much better and like a wood window can be painted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Borough Planner and
Historic District Administrator