HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
February 16, 2011
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 7:35 p.m. Those in attendance were: Board members Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Judi McGee; Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator and Scott Dellett, Planning Director. A quorum was present. Nancie Gudmestad and Colleen Lingle were absent.
Others in attendance were: William Chantelau and Barbara Stokes, Christ Lutheran Church, 44 Chambersburg Street; John Spangler, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and Jennifer Line and Todd Grove, Murphy Dittenhafer Architects, for Schmucker Hall, 111 Seminary Ridge.
Mr. Shaffer introduced the Board members and explained the procedure that would be followed during the meeting. He noted that the Board serves as an advisory group to the Borough Council, which makes final decisions concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will meet next on Monday, February 28, 2011.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
There were no additions or changes to the agenda. Judi McGee pointed out a typographical error in the January 19, 2011 minutes. The second sentence in the third paragraph on page two was changed to read "Mr. Shaffer said it was to reduce liability." Judi McGee moved to accept the minutes as revised. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Rehabilitation of Schmucker Hall. 111 Seminary Ridge. Adams County Historical Society and Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, applicants.
Architects Jennifer Line and Todd Grove presented the application for Schmucker Hall, 111 Seminary Ridge. On the east elevation, the existing parged base will be repaired as necessary. Any patterned glass will be removed. There will be minor repairs to the fan lights. Industrial fans will be removed from the dormers. The copper flashings will be retained.
On the south elevation, the covered roof will be removed. The diagonal downspouts will be removed and vertical ones installed at the corners.
Porches: The primary and ADA entrance will be located beneath the east porch. The porch will be extended three feet to the east to allow for additional space for the entrance. The contractors will reuse or recreate historic fabric. The brick pier will be maintained, just relocated further out. The small windows below the porch will be removed to create the new entrance to the building. This new element is designed not to compete with any historic element. A brick plaza will be created with low brick walls. Brick similar to the existing brick will be used.
The Peace Portico, located on the west elevation, will be restored based upon old photographs. The Peace Portico was built and so named in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1913. The turnings of the two railings that exist do not match; one is from the top and one from the bottom of the portico. The other half of each can be replicated based upon the original design and reinstalled. New Corinthian columns will be installed. The leaded glass will be repaired and the roof replaced. A 50-year asphalt material will be used for the roof shingles, a pewter color will be chosen to closely duplicate the color of slate.
Both Judi McGee and Peggy Gustafson complimented the applicant for the quality of the proposed restoration. Peggy Gustafson asked about lighting. Todd Grove explained that a new decorative pendant light would be installed. It will be a period piece made of glass and metal.
Elwood Christ expressed his concern that on the west façade the second column from the north is sagging. Todd Grove said that "things are for the most part are stable so we do not want to modify those areas unless structurally necessary."
Mr. Grove went on to say that all windows were replaced in the 1890s. The fan lights on the west façade will remain. Window air conditioning units will be removed.
The stairs to the cupola will be repaired. A new railing was installed three to four years ago.
On the north side the "kitchen door" will remain and enter into the gift shop.
Findings of Fact: Schmucker Hall, located at 111 Seminary Ridge, is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District and to the local architectural district. It is a sensitive building and changes to such a building make it a critical project. A critical project requires review by the Board.
Judi McGee moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the proposed work as submitted. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0. John Spangler said that the Gettysburg Seminary is the oldest continually operating Lutheran Theological Seminary.
B. Conceptual/Pre-application discussion. Repairs and potential modifications. Christ Lutheran Church and Hill House. 30 and 44 Chambersburg Streets. Bill Chantelau, representative. Applicant will provide photos at the meeting.
Bill Chantelau said he was speaking on behalf of the church's property committee and that there were four projects that need to be done.
" Renovation and repair of the cupola
" Replacement of the front steps, which hold water, and renovate the porch area that is covered with carpet. The carpet is beginning to rot.
" Replace the roof on the Hill House, the Christian Education Building, and renovate the brickwork. Some of the bricks are deteriorating.
" Renovate brickwork on church.
Peggy Gustafson said that the steps were replaced in the mid-1990s. Bill Chantelau said that the risers are made of treated wood but should have been done in mahogany.
Mr. Chantelau said that the roofing membrane of the cupola must be repaired water is getting into the columns and rotting the exterior boards of the columns. He also said that the railing is not safe. The cupola has not been looked at structurally for 50 years.
Gary Shaffer said that the roofing, brickwork and repair of the cupola do not need to come before the board as long as it is a replacement in kind. The applicant needs to return to the Board for the replacement of the church steps.
Reports
Scott Dellett reported that the reestablishment of the Historic Building awards has been authorized by Borough Council. It is up to the Board to submit nominations to Council. Gary Shaffer suggested that the Board review a list of projects from the past five years at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Planner and Historic District Administrator