HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
March 16, 2011
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) to order on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 7:35 p.m. The meeting was held at the Charles Sterner Recreation Building on Long Lane. Those in attendance were: Board members Nancie Gudmestad, Colleen Lingle and Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator and Scott Dellett, Planning Director. Although Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ and Judi McGee were absent, those in attendance constituted a quorum.
Others in attendance were: Andrew Aliferis, Energy Auditor, South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP), for 221 S. Washington Street and Kerri Odess-Harnish for 150 N. Stratton Street.
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 the Borough Council, which makes final decisions concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will make decisions regarding these applications at its April 11, 2011 meeting.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
Item A. Replacement of windows at 28 Breckenridge Street was deferred to the April meeting by request of the applicant.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to accept the minutes of the February 16, 2011 meeting as written. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Window replacement. 221 S Washington Street. Holly Lancaster, owner. SCCAP, applicant.
Dale Gettel reported that the house at 221 S. Washington Street has been a concern of the Borough for quite some time. He said that water was leaking into the house when he visited the property. Andrew Aliferis said that the wood windows have been removed from the second floor bedroom on the southeast corner leaving only storm windows. He also said that there are walls and insulation missing on the interior.
Nancie Gudmestad asked if the windows would all be two over two and be the exact size of the existing windows. The applicant said yes. When asked if the storm windows would open, the applicant replied that they would.
Gary Shaffer asked if these were to be vinyl insert replacement windows. The applicant said that the window fits inside the sash and almost touches the jamb liner. Mr. Shaffer said that the muntins in the two-over-two windows indicate that the house was built in the 1880s not 1939 as indicated in the application. Gary Shaffer continued, saying that the house has a long history with HARB. Windows were removed and were to have been restored among other things. It was also noted that HARB does not accept vinyl windows on the front elevation only on the rear and sides of buildings. The applicant said that he may be able to relocate one of the existing windows to the front of the building.
Gary Shaffer said that the Board has accepted vinyl-clad or aluminum-clad wood windows as they retain the lines of an all wood window. In addition, solid PVC windows were accepted for the Grim property at 59 York Street. The PVC windows are milled not extruded like vinyl windows. Andrew Aliferis said that the state's only requirement is for Energy Star certified windows.
Findings of Fact: The house at 221 S. Washington Street is a significant structure located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The proposed work is permanent and therefore comes under the review right of this Board.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the replacement of two second-floor front windows with vinyl-clad or aluminum-clad wood windows or solid PVC windows to replicate the look of wood. The remaining two windows to be replaced on the second floor may be vinyl windows. The storm windows for the addition would also be recommended. Colleen Lingle seconded the motion.
During discussion, Nancie Gudmestad pointed out that the south elevation windows are very visible from the street and does not think that vinyl windows would be appropriate in this case. The motion failed, 0 to 4.
In a new motion, Nancie Gudmestad recommended to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the replacement of four second-floor front windows with vinyl-clad or aluminum-clad wood windows, or solid PVC windows to replicate the look of wood. The storm windows for the addition were also recommended for approval. Colleen Lingle seconded the motion. This motion passed, 4 to 0.
B. Alteration. Window replacement. 150 N Stratton Street. David Harnish, owner.
According to the owners' research, the house at 150 N. Stratton Street was built between 1919 and 1920. Gary Shaffer said that the style of the house is consistent with that time period.
The applicant proposes to replace ten windows with aluminum-clad wood windows made by Pella. The windows to be replaced are four facing N. Stratton Street, two on each floor; five on the rear of the house; and one on the second floor facing toward the driveway on the north. The existing windows are single pane wood windows that are single-hung, each with two panes of glass. The frames of the windows are constructed of a combination of wood and aluminum and are covered on the exterior with aluminum storm windows.
Findings of Fact: The house at 150 N. Stratton Street, based upon its age, is a sensitive building located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and is also a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District. The building has been altered with the installation of alternate siding. The window and door openings have not been modified.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the replacement of ten windows with aluminum-clad windows, as described in the application. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0.
Old Business-Preservation Awards
Gary Shaffer said that he has compiled a list of about 40 property owners who have done a commendable job maintaining their buildings. It was agreed that he would email the list to all the Board members so that discussion and then recommendations can be made at the April meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Planner and Historic District Administrator