HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2011
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) to order on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 7:33 p.m. The meeting was held at the Gettysburg Borough building, 59 E. High Street. Those in attendance were: Board members Peggy Gustafson, Nancie Gudmestad, Colleen Lingle and Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; Merry Bush, Borough Planning Technician and Historic District Administrator; and Scott Dellett, Planning Director. Judi McGee was absent. There is a vacancy on the Board since Elwood Christ's term ended in August. A quorum of the Board was present.
Others in attendance were: David Sanders for 57-59 E. Stevens Street; Larry Hankey for 28 Breckenridge Street; Scott Hill, 124 N. Stratton Street; Kazimierz and Maria Pukownik, 252-254 Chambersburg Street; Nanette Hatzes and Michael Bramel, 169 N. Stratton Street; Rick Olesek, 212 York Street and J.R. Crushong, Adams County Housing Authority, for the Fahnestock House, 47 Baltimore Street. Present from the media were: Mark Walters, Gettysburg Times, and Tim Prudente, Evening Sun.
Gary Shaffer introduced the Board members and explained the procedures that would be followed during the meeting. 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 October 11, 2011 meeting.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
There were no changes or additions to the agenda. Peggy Gustafson moved to accept the August 17, 2011 minutes as submitted. Dale Gettel seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Window replacement. West elevation. 28 Breckenridge Street. Larry Hankey, owner.
Background: This building first appears on the 1902 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map as a frame dwelling unit. It was occupied by Fred Diehl in 1903. The owner reported that the house was damaged by fire and was then covered with a brick veneer. The project is considered a major project to a sensitive building as it is more than 50 years old. The applicant proposes to replace the windows on the west elevation. The windows do not appear to be original and were probably installed in the late 1950s.
Nancie Gudmestad asked if the window frames would be retained. Larry Hankey, the owner, said that the entire frame will be removed and the new window unit installed. The new windows will incorporate screens.
Peggy Gustafson said the wood sill has deteriorated. The owner said the new window will sit directly on the brick, which will serve as a sill.
Findings of Fact: The house at 28 Breckenridge Street is a sensitive building due to its age. The proposed work will be permanent making this a critical project. The building retains a mixed degree of integrity. The fenestration has been changed. The windows are not original to the building. The new windows will have some visibility from a public way but are not located on the front elevation. HARB Minutes September 21, 2011 2 of 5
Dale Gettel moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the replacement of five windows on the west elevation. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
B. Alteration. Replacement of existing porches. Enlargement of deck. 124 N. Stratton Street. J. Scott Hill and Natalie Lebon, owners.
Background: The single-family frame house at 124 N. Stratton Street first appears on the 1924 Fire Insurance Map. The applicant hopes to replace the existing porches and expand the first floor deck.
Peggy Gustafson asked why the applicant wanted to build the third floor porch if there is no access to the space. She asked if the applicant planned to stall a door to allow access. Scott Hill, the owner, said that access is now through a casement window. At some point they plan to replace the window with a door.
Dale Gettel asked if there were any changes to the front elevation. Mr. Hill said that new storm doors would be installed on the front.
Nancie Gudmestad asked why they plan to build the third floor porch. Mr. Hill said it is the best place to see the stars. He said that they are redoing the attic space and may install a door from the attic to the porch at a later time.
Findings of Fact: The house at 124 N. Stratton Street is over 50 years old and is considered a sensitive building according to the Borough's Historic District Ordinance. The proposed work makes this a critical project. The proposed work will not change the configuration of the building. The house retains a high degree of architectural integrity. All the proposed work is located to the side and rear of the building and will have limited visibility. The proposed work follows the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties, maintaining the look and materials of the original building.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of storm doors, rebuilding of porches and railings with in-kind materials, addition of wraparound deck with stairs at the rear of the house and replacement of porch stairway with new wood stairway. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
C. Alteration. Replace rear porch decking and railings. 57-59 E . Stevens Street. David J. Sanders, owner.
Background: The structure at 57-59 E. Stevens Street is a two-story frame duplex that first shows up on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps in April 1931. There are single-story front and rear porches.
The applicant proposes to replace the rear porch decking and handrails. The porch roof and posts will remain untouched. Vertical grain Douglas fir will be used for the porch flooring and flat balustrade. There will be no change in size or layout of the porch. This is a sensitive building according to the Borough's Historic District ordinance and the proposed work is a minor project. There will be no change in appearance.
Dale Gettel asked if the proposed work was on the rear porch. The applicant said yes.
Findings of Fact: The building is a sensitive one located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District. The duplex retains a mixed degree of integrity. Some siding materials have been changed. The proposed work will not affect the appearance of the building.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the replacement of the rear porch decking and handrails using in-kind materials. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
D. Alteration. Alternate siding. East Elevation. 252-254 Chambersburg Street. Kazimierz & Maria Pukownik, owners. HARB Minutes September 21, 2011 3 of 5
Background: The structure at 252-254 Chambersburg Street is a two-story frame duplex first seen on the 1907 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. The property, located at the corner of Chambersburg Street and Buford Avenue, is very visible from the Buford Avenue gateway. The front and west elevations have recently been painted.
The applicant proposes to install an alternate vinyl siding on the south and east elevations.
Gary Shaffer asked if the applicant was planning to leave the wood window frames as they are. The applicant said no that they wished to cover the trim with vinyl. Otherwise there would be no changes to the windows.
Peggy Gustafson said that low water pressure is to be used when cleaning the bricks on the fireplace chimney located on the south elevation. She noted that the rear elevation is highly visible from West Street and expressed her concern with the proposed cladding of the window trim.
According to Gary Shaffer, the most important feature on that elevation is the chimney work. He said he would feel comfortable allowing siding and cladding of the trim on the rear elevation if the fireplace chimney is cleaned and maintained.
Findings of Fact: The duplex at 252-254 Chambersburg Street is a sensitive building as it has been standing more than 50 years. The proposed work, the installation of alternate materials, is a critical project. The building retains a high degree of architectural integrity, though it is unlikely that the windows are original. Key architectural features have been maintained following the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the installation of vinyl siding on the east elevation. The applicant said that they also wished to install siding on the rear (south) elevation as noted in the application. Ms. Gudmestad amended her motion: Recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the installation of vinyl siding on the east and south elevations. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
E. Alteration. Front Porch Railing. 169 N. Stratton Street. Nanette Hatzes & Michael Bramel, owners.
Background: The two-story, gambrel-roofed house was built between 1912 and 1931 according to the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.
The applicants expressed their desire to improve the appearance of the porch. According to the applicants, their contractor has been unable to scrape off any more of the lead paint and can't feather out the edges of the new paint to provide a smooth surface As a result the applicant proposes to either remove the front porch railing completely or replace it with a vinyl railing system. The applicant said that the height of the porch decking is 27 inches. According to the International Building Code, porches and decks lower than 30 inches do not need railings.
Colleen Lingle said to remove the railings or install vinyl ones would remove a character-defining feature. She said that lead paint can be removed down to the wood. The applicant said they would only remove the railing pieces between the posts.
Dale Gettel said that while the building code does not require railings below 30 inches of height, it really depends on what fits with the age of the house.
Peggy Gustafson said she has stripped off paint numerous times with heat guns. Heat plates can actually burn off the paint leaving just miniscule amounts. Chemical removers also work but may take more time. She said she would be happy to demonstrate. She reported that the owners of Peters Funeral Home had removed all the paint from the porch pillars. Continuing, Ms. Gustafson said that the wood is in good condition and that in the long run the owners would not be happy with vinyl.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 169 N. Stratton Street is a sensitive building by definition. The proposed work would be a change in the porch configuration. The building has a high degree of HARB Minutes September 21, 2011 4 of 5
architectural integrity. The proposed work would change a key elevation that is highly visible and compromise the original design of the building.
Peggy Gustafson moved that Borough Council not grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work. Colleen Lingle seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
F. Alteration. Shutters. 212 York Street. Rick Olesek, owner.
Background: The two-story frame dwelling at 212 York Street was built between 1907 and 1912. There have been two single story additions. The house has undergone several changes, including the installation of an alternate siding and the replacement of windows. The windows were initially replaced without approval of this Board.
The applicant did have the property up for sale at one time. He now plans to rent the house until the real estate market turns around. He plans to keep it as a single family home. He would like to install burgundy vinyl shutters to match the color of a new metal roof he plans to install. The existing roof is metal but it needs to be replaced.
Peggy Gustafson agreed that the house needs shutters. A photograph presented with the application shows that shutters were on the house before the vinyl siding was installed. She wondered if the applicant wanted solid or louvered shutters.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 212 York Street is a sensitive building as determined by age. The project would make a significant change to the building so it would be considered a critical project. The proposed shutters would restore a bit of the original look that has been compromised. The fenestration has remained the same. The building has been compromised by the addition of an alternate siding material.
Gary Shaffer recommended that solid panels be installed as vinyl louvered shutters collect dirt. The shutters should be sized to the appropriate height and width so that they look like they actually work as noted in the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Mr. Shaffer said that if the shutters don't look right the Board would make him remove them.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the installation of vinyl shutters on the front elevation of 212 York Street. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
Gary Shaffer recused himself due to a fiduciary relationship with the following two applicants. Peggy Gustafson assumed the role of acting chairman.
G. Resubmission. Alteration. Window Replacement. Fahnestock House, 47 Baltimore Street. Adams County Housing Authority, owner.
Background: The Fahnestock House, 47 Baltimore Street, was built as a two-story brick dwelling in 1826 and housed a tavern in a back building. Two additional stories were added over the years. The building was purchased in 1833 by Samuel Fahnestock, who relocated his dry goods store from the square to this building. The building served as the Fahnestock Brother until 1882. The building has been modified over the years. The windows on the north elevation did not exist in the original structure. The renovation of the building into apartments was a historic preservation tax credit project completed in 1986. This application was previously approved in October 2008. A Certificate of Appropriateness is good for only one year requiring the Board to reconsider this application.
The Adams County Housing Authority now has the funds to complete energy upgrades to 47 Baltimore Street. The windows will be replaced with one-over-one wood windows clad in either aluminum or vinyl. The insulated glass windows will allow the removal of interior storm sashes that have been difficult for residents to remove for ventilation. The color may change. A new HVAC system will be installed so there will no longer be a need for window air conditioners. The work will HARB Minutes September 21, 2011 5 of 5
once again be undertaken as a federal historic preservation tax credit project. The project goes to settlement in December with work to begin in February or March. Hopper windows will be installed over the arch topped windows on the southeast corner of the front façade to allow for natural ventilation in the apartment located there.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 47 Baltimore Street is a contributing building to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District having been originally built in 1826. The structure, located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance, is a sensitive building due to its age. The building retains a high degree of architectural integrity and has a high degree of visibility being located on a prime corner in the Borough. The installation of replacement windows with clad sills will not change the integrity of the building.
Colleen Lingle moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the replacement of the existing windows with one-over-one clad wood windows. Dale Gettel seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0, with one abstention.
H. Alteration. ADA Accessible Ramp. 326 S. Washington Street. "Olde Getty Place," Elm Street Program, applicant.
Background: The structure at 326 S. Washington Street is one of five adjacent dwelling units. The row houses were built between 1907 and 1912, most likely as homes for workers in the expanded service and tourism industry of the early 20th Century. The row houses are frame with asbestos siding that has been recently been painted. Windows have been replaced and new door hoods installed.
An ADA accessible ramp is planned for the front of 326 S. Washington Street for the new neighborhood ambassador center for Olde Getty Place, the Elm Street program neighborhood. The railing will black metal in a traditional configuration with a round top rail. The metal will be either black enameled steel or black powder-coated aluminum. Automatic dusk to dawn lighting fixtures will be installed for each of the five units.
Findings of Fact: The future ambassador center for the Elm Street neighborhood will be located at 326 S. Washington Street, which sits at the northern most end of five adjacent row homes. The proposed ADA ramp, located on the front elevation, will be highly visible and therefore comes under the review right of this Board.
Dale Gettel moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for a black metal handrail to be installed on the ADA ramp at 326 S. Washington Street. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0, with one abstention.
New Business
Scott Dellett shared copies of the Shippensburg Borough Historic District Ordinance provided by Dale Gettel. He recommended that the Board take a look at the requirements for demolition.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Planning Technician and Historic District Administrator