HARB Minutes

Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes

August 17, 2010

Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order on Wednesday, Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was held at the Charles Sterner Recreation Building. Those in attendance were Board members Nancie Gudmestad, Judi McGee, Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Colleen Lingle, Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; and Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator. For the first time in several years a full board was in attendance.

Others in attendance were John and Susan Wega for 112 Chambersburg Street; Kathy Gilbert, 221 Chambersburg Street and Jill Rohrbaugh, Architecture Workshop, for the Borough Hall renovation, 59 E. High Street. Rick Fulton attended the meeting for the Gettysburg Times.

Mr. Shaffer introduced the 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, August 23, 2010.

Review of Agenda and Minutes

Judi McGee moved to accept the minutes of the July 21, 2010 meeting as submitted. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried. There were no changes to the meeting agenda.

Certificates of Appropriateness

A. Alterations. Window replacement. Gettysburg Borough Hall, 59 E. High Street.

Background: The building, currently occupied by the Gettysburg municipal government, was built in 1850 to house the town jail. The first floor served as the residence of the warden and his family. The second floor housed the cells. As of 1903, the building served as the residence of Warden Samuel Miller with the jail cells remaining on the second floor. In the 1960s or 70s, the building became the home of the county library with the addition of what is now the Council Chambers. This addition housed the children's section. When the library relocated to 140 Baltimore Street, the Borough purchased the building. The building was rehabilitated to house the Borough offices in 1992.

The windows proposed for the Borough Hall renovation will be made by Traco. The metal windows will be custom made to match the profile of the existing windows. The windows are designed with built-in flashing to move water away from the wall cavity. Each window will have true divided lights. According to Jill Rohrbaugh, the architect for the project, Traco has made windows for the Statue of Liberty and other historic buildings. In addition, Traco windows have been installed on many college campuses including Gettysburg College and Mt. Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Several college buildings were named.

Judi McGee asked if the new windows would look like the original windows. Jill Rohrbaugh explained that the windows will be evaluated by the manufacturer who will create a profile to match the profile of similar windows. All the windows of a particular size and location will have the same profile.

Peggy Gustafson asked if all the windows were to be removed and new windows installed. Jill Rohrbaugh said that the plans call for the removal of all windows and the installation of new ones. Ms. Gustafson said that the front windows of the 1850 building have no damage whatsoever. She noted that the dogwood tree needs trimming to allow more light to reach the building. Ms. Rohrbaugh said that the third floor windows are in better shape than the others because the third floor was added at a later date. Gary Shaffer said that the existing windows are not original to the Gothic jailhouse.

Elwood Christ asked if the windows would be painted. Ms. Rohrbaugh said that the windows would be thermally sealed allowing for little or no air flow. She said that new wood would be installed on the interior and painted. Mr. Christ asked what was causing the settlement crack in the masonry wall shown in one of the photos. Ms. Rohrbaugh said that it may be caused by water noting the rust on the lintel. Mr. Chris asked where the old windows would go after being removed. The response was that the windows would go to the Architectural Salvage Warehouse run by Historic Gettysburg Adams County. When asked about storm windows, Jill Rohrbaugh said that the windows are thermopane and do not need storms.

Colleen Lingle asked if the architect had thoroughly checked real wood windows. Ms. Rohrbaugh said that the Traco windows were chosen not because they are cheap; these are actually expensive windows. The windows meet the energy code.

Ms. Rohrbaugh said that the new columns would be made of a composite material that can be painted. Once the new concrete is poured for the side entrance, the contractor will drill down into the concrete. The columns will be installed within that opening and sealed so that water cannot cause the same damage that is now found on the existing columns. This entry way is not original to the building.

Judi McGee asked about the warranty on the windows. Jill Rohrbaugh said that there is a 20-year warranty on the window finish. The new windows will match the configuration of the existing windows whether they are two over two or four over one, etc. The railings on the porch and handicap ramp will either be repaired or replaced with the choice left to the contractor. If replaced, they must be replaced with the same design. The new shutters will be made of mahogany and hung just as they are. The same company made the shutters for the Wills House.

Findings of Fact: The building at 59 E. High Street is a sensitive building within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District, as determined by ordinance. It is a contributing building to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The building has been altered with the addition of a third story, a one-story addition on the west and a two story addition on the south. The proposed changes would be permanent changes requiring a review by this Board and a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Borough Council.

Mr. Shaffer said that approving this application would set precedent. Continuing, he said that if this Board approved metal window for the Borough building they would be unable to deny such windows for any other building that would come before them.

Peggy Gustafson moved to table further review of this matter saying that the Board needed more documentation on the existing windows and more information on the proposed windows. The Board needs to have a chance to see the windows actually in use. Ms. Gustafson plans to visit the Gettysburg College Campus. Elwood Christ seconded. The Board voted 7 to 0 to table the matter. Jill Rohrbaugh will bring additional information and a sample window to the Borough Hall at the beginning of the week of August 23. She will provide a list of historic districts where Traco windows have been approved. She noted that the windows take 12 weeks to manufacture, so time is of the essence. The Board agreed to meet as soon as possible to resolve the issue.

B. Alteration. Front Porch. 221 Chambersburg Street. Kathy and Garret Gilbert, owners.

Background: In 1903, the building at 221 Chambersburg Street was the residence of C. Tyson Tipton, a well-known Gettysburg photographer. Kathy Gilbert said that portions of the building existed in 1863 and that a shell hit the building. The shell remains and is located on the upper right side of the building. In fact, the family of Mayor Troxell lived there at one time.

Kathy Gilbert, the property owner, proposes to raise the height of the porch floor to meet the threshold of the front door so the building can be made ADA compliant. The porch rails and balusters have been removed to be scraped and repainted.

Gary Shaffer suggested that Ms. Gilbert rebuild the porch as it is and, if necessary, in the future a ramp could be built on top of the existing floor. He also said that it looked like a ramp could be built without going into the public right-of-way.

Ms. Gilbert withdrew her application. She will replace the porch with in-kind materials without changing the porch elevation. Dale Gettel reminder her that a Commercial UCC permit would be required for the work.

Gary Shaffer recused himself due to a fiduciary relationship with the following applicant. Elwood Christ assumed the role of chairman.

C. New construction. Civil War Chapel. 112 Chambersburg Street. John Wega,

United States Christian Commission, applicant.

Background: In December 2004, a fire destroyed an apartment building on the property, known as 112 Chambersburg Street. There were two buildings on the property; the one in the rear remains. In 2005, the property owner-Adams Rescue Mission, submitted a subdivision plan to separate the front portion from the rear. On July 15, 2005 that application was withdrawn. In 2006, the U.S. Christian Commission applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a fence and a temporary platform to serve as a Civil War Chapel. The plans were reviewed by the Board and a Certificate of Appropriateness was issued for the fence and platform. After the winter storms of January and February 2010, the tent that had been on the platform was replaced with a structure made of rough hewn wood. Mr. Wega did not apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness before creating the structure.

John Wega gave a presentation on the history of Civil War Chapels, noting that tent church services were held on the "Diamond" (Lincoln Square) during and after the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Wega provided drawings and historical photographs showing chapels-tents and others made of more permanent materials. None of the more permanent chapels presented were built in or near Gettysburg. Mr. Wega wanted the Board to verify "the authenticity and historicity" (authenticity based upon historical fact) of Civil War Chapels.

Peggy Gustafson said that the Board could not make a decision on the application without confirmation that the proposed building met zoning and planning codes. She asked if the project had been presented to the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Commission. Mr. Wega said that it was presented to the Planning Commission the night before. The Planning Commission raised the issue of stormwater management.

Elwood Christ asked what made Mr. Wega put the structure up before coming before the Board. Mr. Wega responded it was for the safety of the people assembled. Mr. Christ continued, asking if Mr. Wega did not know he needed to come before the Board. Mr. Christ said that the Board has been confronted many times by many people who knowingly or unknowingly start building in the Historic District without coming to the Board. He pointed out that Mr. Wega did know the process but he built the structure anyway. Mr. Christ said that the structure was not compatible with the adjacent properties-to the east is a prairie-style bungalow and to the west the historically correct Holtzworth House. Mr. Wega had no response.

Continuing, Elwood Christ said that the structure was more appropriate for the battlefield and but acknowledged that Mr. Wega would have difficulty going through the National Park System. He said that the building was not appropriate for downtown including the current site.

Judi McGee said that she had no issue with what Mr. Wega was trying to achieve noting the chapel, as it exists, gives aesthetic appeal to the story of religion during the Civil War and it is important to preserve historic values.

Elwood Christ moved to recommend that the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the retention of the existing building on the current site be denied. The applicant could apply again in the future with a different design. Colleen Lingle seconded. During the discussion that followed, Mr. Christ asked if an application for this structure had been submitted when the site was a vacant lot would any one on the Board vote in favor of a Certificate of Appropriateness. Peggy Gustafson said she was not opposed to the idea when this was a tent as it served the need, but this location is not good one.

Nancie Gudmestad agreed with rest of the Board but applauded Mr. Wega for his dedication to the promotion of the history of Civil War Chapels. She noted that the use of the property is not the issue; it is the structure and if the same application had been presented prior to construction she would have to vote no for Chambersburg Street.

Judi McGee said that if it was a new application she did not know that she could recommend approval.

The motion to deny the application carried, 6 to 0, with one abstention.

There was no old or new business before the Board. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Merry V. Bush,

Planner and

Historic District Administrator