HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2011
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) to order on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Charles Sterner Recreation Building on Long Lane. Those in attendance were: Board members Nancie Gudmestad, Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ and Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator; and Scott Dellett, Planning Director. Those in attendance constituted a quorum. Absent were: Judi McGee and Colleen Lingle.
Others in attendance were: Daniel Bringman, Gettysburg Foundation and Wayne Hill, Gettysburg Construction, for the Rupp House, 451 Baltimore Street; Joseph Minyon for 32 S. Washington Street; and Rick Fulton, 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 the Borough Council, which makes final decisions concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will make decisions regarding these applications at its May 9, 2011 meeting.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
It was noted that the applicant for Item A. Replacement of windows at 28 Breckenridge Street was not in attendance so Item B was considered first.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to accept the minutes of the March 16, 2011 meeting as present. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Window replacement. 28 Breckenridge Street. Larry Hankey, owner.
The owner of the property did not show so the application was automatically denied. The applicant will be notified and encouraged to resubmit the application.
B. Alteration. Window replacement. Fence. 451 Baltimore Street. Gettysburg Foundation, owner.
The applicant proposes replacing the windows in the rear section of the building named the Finstock Cottage by the Friends of Gettysburg/Gettysburg Foundation.
Background: The Rupp House was built in 1868 by John Rupp. The tannery at the rear of the property predates the Civil War. The property was sold at a public sale in 1872 to Reuben Leber. By 1886, the house and tannery were owned and occupied by William Duttera until 1916.
According to Wayne Hill, Gertrude and Leroy Winebrenner, owners of the property after Duttera, made changes to the windows in the main house in the 1920s.
The new windows would be wood with simulated divided lights. The windows would be argon filled to increase the energy efficiency of the building. Mr. Hill said that changes to the windows would be limited to the main heated areas of the rear building - not the attic or basement. The new window would reflect the six over one configuration of the original windows. The original window frame and trim would remain.
Nancie Gudmestad asked specifically which windows would be replaced. Mr. Hill said that all of them would be replaced. She then asked if any of them looked like the bottom sash was once a six-light window matching the top sash. Wayne Hill said no. Continuing, Ms. Gudmestad asked if the contractor would be painting the windows or ordering them pre-painted. Mr. Hill said that the windows would be primed at the factory. They would then be painted the same brown as the existing windows, matching the remainder of the wood trim.
Considering the four windows on the front or east elevation, two on the first floor and two on the second, Nancie Gudmestad said she would hate to see them replaced. She noted that even she could repair a wood window.
Elwood Christ said that the windows may been from an earlier building located on the site.
Peggy Gustafson suggested a compromise, preserving the most visible windows, those to the left and right of the front door of the rear building.
Findings of Fact: The rear "cottage" of 451 Baltimore Street is a contributing building to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. It is recognized as a significant building as defined by the Borough of Gettysburg Historic District Ordinance. The proposed works make this a critical project requiring review by this Board. The building has a mixed degree of integrity on the north and south elevations. The east elevation shows a high degree of integrity dating back to the 1860s. The Department of the Interior Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Buildings requires that much of the historic windows remain as possible. The critical windows are those that you can approach, first floor versus second floor. The first floor windows of the east façade are the most critical
Nancie Gudmestad said the at the windows are so protected, located as they are under porches. She said that the Gettysburg Foundation is all about saving history so why are they replacing historic material.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend to Borough Council that approval be granted to replace window sashes on the north and south elevations, require that the first floor left front window be retained and portions of the other windows be used to recreate a historic window on first floor right. The motion failed for lack of a second.
Gary Shaffer recommend that the applicant be given approval to replace six of the eight windows with the new proposed windows, preserving the window on the left of the cottage entry door and restoring the window to the right of the door with historic materials. Nancie Gudmestad said she would prefer to retain all four front elevation windows.
Gary Shaffer followed up with another motion to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the replacement of four sets of window sashes on the north and south elevations and the sashes on the second floor east elevation with the proposed six-over-one wood windows, retain the left first floor front window; and use, if possible, material from the removed sashes to recreate window sashes from historic fabric for the right first floor window. Storm windows may be installed to increase energy efficiency but are to be painted to match the existing trim. Elwood Christ seconded. During discussion the question was raised about the possibility that sashes could not be recreated for the right first floor window; in that case, Gary Shaffer said that the replacement sashes could also be used in that window. The motion carried, 5 to 0.
The proposed fence would run along the south side of the property along the hedge, which is to be trimmed back. The fence would begin even with the electrical box on the side of the building, about 1½ feet from the sidewalk and run back to where the rear building begins. A gate will be located at the front of the building. The fence is being proposed to keep ghost tours off the property. Right now they just walk along the side of the building back to the "courtyard" causing disruptions during special events. Wayne Hill said that the property line is located just inside the hedge. The fence will be made of a heavy gauge metal with a sculpted handrail and painted dark brown matching the trim on the building. The fence will most likely disappear into the hedge.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the painted metal fence as proposed. Nancie Gudmestad seconded.
Elwood Christ disagreed, saying that the fence should be made of wood or something less contemporary at the front of the building. The motion passed, 4 to 1, with Elwood Christ dissenting.
C. Alteration. Window and door replacement. Porch enclosure. 32 S. Washington Street.
Joseph Minyon, owner.
Background: County records show 1940 for the date of this side of the duplex and 1950 for the other side. Elwood Christ said that the segmented lintels suggested the 1880s. The owner thought that the 1940s is more reasonable because he found newer dimensional lumber in the basement, which was in use sometime after 1920.
Gary Shaffer said that he was fine with the Anderson 200 Series of windows with a one-over-one configuration to match the other duplex.
Nancie Gudmestad asked about the material for the replacement doors. The applicant replied that the doors would be made of insulated steel. When asked about the material for the porch roof, the applicant said he was considering copper.
The applicant plans to remove the awning over the front entrance and repoint the brick steps. A new railing will be installed, as well. Peggy Gustafson asked what style of handrail the applicant planned to install. Joe Minyon replied Mission style with one-inch square posts. Ms. Gustafson recommended that the applicant find a door that replicated the horizontal panels on the existing door.
The applicant also indicated that he would replace the damaged sills on the third floor with wood.
Findings of Fact: The building located at 32 S. Washington Street is within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance. The proposed work comprises a critical project to a significant building and as such comes under the review right of this Board.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project as submitted, with the following conditions:
" Anderson Series 200 windows must be installed, and
" the replacement door on the front should replicate the horizontal panels of the existing door.
Elwood Christ seconded. Nancie Gudmestad asked that a cut sheet of the replacement door be presented to Merry Bush for approval. The motion carried, 5 to 0. The applicant was cautioned that any new trim around the windows or doors must be approved by the Board.
Old Business-Preservation Awards
Gary Shaffer distributed a list of potential nominees for Preservation Awards. After a brief discussion the Board decided to hold a workshop on Tuesday, April 27, at 7:30 am.
The meeting adjourned at 9:17 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Planner and Historic District Administrator