HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2011
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Those in attendance were Board members Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Judi McGee, Colleen Lingle, Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator; and Scott Dellett, the new Planning Director. A full quorum was present, although Nancie Gudmestad was absent.
Others in attendance representing 110 Chambersburg Street were: Jacob Schindel, Philip Schindel and R. Lasco, owners of the Ragged Edge Coffee House and Joe Edgar, Shaffer Design Associates; representing the media was Scot Pitzer, Gettysburg Times.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
Peggy Gustafson clarified her comments regarding wood replacement windows under Item C. 226 N. Stratton Street in the November 17, 2010 minutes. In the next to the last paragraph, The sentence should read, "Peggy Gustafson was concerned about the wood exteriors, other than mahogany, and would steer the applicant away from installing them." Judi McGee moved to accept the corrected minutes. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Gary Shaffer introduced the members including Scott Dellett, the new Director of Planning. In addition, Mr. Shaffer 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, January 24, 2011.
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 Dale Gettel. Elwood Christ seconded the nomination. There were no additional nominations so Peggy Gustafson moved that the nominations be closed. Judie McGee seconded. Mr. Shaffer agreed to accept the position.
Peggy Gustafson nominated Elwood Christ for vice chairman. Dale Gettel seconded. There being no other nominations, Colleen Lingle moved to close the nominations; Judi McGee seconded. Elwood Christ agreed to serve as vice chairman.
Gary Shaffer recused himself as he has a fiduciary relationship with the applicant. Elwood Christ assumed the role of chairman.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Window replacement and infill. Fire damage. 110 Chambersburg Street. Jacob Schindel, owner.
The building located at 110 Chambersburg Street, housing the Ragged Edge Coffee House and a private residence, was damaged in a December 3, 2010 fire. The applicant proposes to repair some of the least damaged wood windows and infill others. The remaining damaged windows on the west elevation are to be replaced with metal windows manufactured by Traco. The owner also wishes to install a railing around a new rear roof deck for additional outdoor living space. The existing roof decking was destroyed in the fire.
One window on the first floor at the rear will be in-filled completely and brick veneer installed to match the existing brick. The infill material will be inset so that the window outline will be visible according to standards set by the Secretary of the Interior. Two other windows will be partially in filled with smaller windows installed above the infill to allow natural light to enter the building.
The rear roof deck, once replaced, will no longer have an overhang to again limit entry of any future fires. This change will be made only to those roof areas damaged in the fire.
Judi McGee asked why some of the window openings were being removed on the west elevation. Mr. Shaffer said that it was to reduce liability.
Peggy Gustafson asked if the windows that were approved for the 326-334 S. Washington Street project were considered for this project. Gary Shaffer did not rule that out noting that Robert Crouthamel, the contractor, was getting estimates on clad wood windows. Mr. Shaffer went on to say that Traco is one of the few metal window manufacturers to make windows fitting historic profiles.
Elwood Christ asked about the new roof deck at the rear, is it part of the residence? Gary Shaffer explained while a door from the apartment allowed access to the roof deck, the area had not previously been used for exterior living space. A 42-inch high railing is required by code.
Dale Gettel asked for some clarification regarding the International Building Code (IBC) requirements for fire resistance. Gary Shaffer explained that some windows will be in-filled for both security and safety as recommended by the Borough's Building Code inspector. The fire entered the building through the first floor rear windows. The building sits on the property line, and if this was new construction, windows would not be permitted on the west elevation; windows are not permitted in walls that sit on the property line by the IBC. The selection of windows to be partially in-filled was determined by the use of the interior space. Gary Shaffer said that they don't expect the building inspector to come back to require all windows on the west elevation to be in-filled. Dale Gettel said that metal windows are a good compromise.
Merry Bush asked for clarification of some of the photograph notes in the application. Gary Shaffer explained that notes one and two reflect the size of the window opening-those marked "1" are double windows, while "2" marks single windows-other wise the text should read the same. Note 6 should refer to the chemical washing of the brick.
Judi McGee moved to recommend approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the window replacement and the in-fill as presented. Colleen Lingle seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion carried, 5 to 0, with one abstention.
New Business
Merry Bush followed up on an email sent to the Board in December. The Board was asked to think of ways to educate the community regarding Historic Presentation. Gary Shaffer suggested resuming the historic awards program that the Board and Council worked on together a number of years ago. Previously, the Board gave a list of recommended projects and Council would present Historic Preservation rewards to one or more recommended projects. The presentation usually took place in May, National Historic Preservation Month.
Other suggestions included creating simple pamphlets explaining such things as:
" how to replace cords in windows (instead of replacing windows);
" comparing different finishing materials;
" writing monthly or bimonthly articles for the Gettysburg Times.
After further discussion the meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Planner and
Historic District Administrator