HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2011
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) to order on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Gettysburg Borough Building, 59 East High Street. Those in attendance were: Board members Nancie Gudmestad, Peggy Gustafson and Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; and Scott Dellett, Planning Director. Board Member Colleen Lingle and Merry V. Bush, Borough Planning Technician and Historic District Administrator were absent. Also in attendance were: Susan Saum-Wicklein and George Lomas, representing the Tillie Pierce House, 301-303 Baltimore Street; Gerard Michaels, representing 20-22 Breckenridge Street; John Bortz of Pella, representing 309 Buford Avenue; J. Thomas Soliday Jr., representing 29 Mummasburg Street; and Keith Bordonaro, representing 430 Baltimore Street.
Mr. 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 the application at its January 9, 2012 meeting.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
There were no changes to the agenda. Ms. Gustafson made the motion to accept the minutes of the November 16, 2011 meeting as presented; Mr. Gettel seconded. The minutes were approved, 4-to-0.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Storm Door. Tillie Pierce House, 301-303 Baltimore Street, Susan Saum-Wicklein, applicant.
Background: The structure at 301-303 Baltimore Street was built circa 1829. During the 1863 battle it was owned by James Pierce, a butcher, and the father of Tillie Pierce whose eyewitness account of the Battle of Gettysburg from a civilian point of view is often quoted. Mr. Pierce died in 1890. The front-gabled rear addition was added in 1850 with double porches on both sides of the building like the "Ghosts of Gettysburg" building located across Breckenridge Street. Along the alley was a one-and-a-half-story wood stable, as well as a stone summer kitchen.
Ms. Gustafson noted the door was similar to the one at 317 Baltimore Street, but the replacement door at the Tillie Pierce House had more metal.
Ms. Saum-Wicklein said the application materials provided similar doors within the neighborhood. Mr. Shaffer clarified the application.
Ms. Gustafson said molding permanently holds the transom and advised Ms. Saum-Wicklein she may have a hard time cleaning it but storm windows could be inserted with clips similar to those on the Adams County Housing Authority building at 40 E. High Street.
Mr. Shaffer said there was a stark contrast of the white door to the color of the building. Ms. Saum-Wicklein replied the building was renovated in 2006. The door was replaced there because there previously was a door. Mr. Shaffer asked if the white trim was painted or if it was metal over casing. Ms. Saum-Wicklein responded she did not know.
Ms. Gudmestad said she had no problem with the door and she understood paint problems. She asked Ms. Saum-Wicklein if you would paint the exterior of the door to match trim. Ms. Saum-Wicklein said she assumed she could not paint metal doors. Both Ms. Gudmestad and Ms. Gustafson said she could.
Mr. Shaffer said the design of the door itself has been accepted; however, the color was not appropriate. He cited the door at 329 Baltimore Street as an acceptable example. Ms. Gudmestad said the door treatment at 329 Baltimore Street would be a good compromise.
Mr. Shaffer issued the proposed findings of fact. Ms. Gudmestad made the motion the Board recommend Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the application with the stipulation that the integrity of the door jam be maintained in size and color. Ms. Gustafson seconded the motion; the motion passed, 4-to-0.
B. Alteration. Replacement Doors. 20-22 Breckenridge Street, Gerard Michaels, applicant.
Background: The two-story brick duplex was built between 1868 and 1870 for James Pierce, owner of the Tillie Pierce House, 301 Baltimore Street. According to research carried out by Elwood Christ, it was one of the first post-war constructions on Breckenridge Street. Mr. Michaels clarified the proposal.
Mr. Michaels clarified the application. Mr. Gettel said he was pleased that the Applicant was repairing the exterior of the building.
Ms. Gustafson asked about the removal of the ceiling in the rear porch. Mr. Michaels said he was removing the existing beadboard and he had no plans to replace the ceiling because of the expense. He added that an Elm Street grant was funding the renovations for areas of the building that faced the street.
Ms. Gustafson asked about the proposed door replacement. Mr. Michaels said the cost of replicating the original doors was half of the cost of the project. The doors had to be custom made and the cost would be about $900.00 each. Ms. Gustafson said the contractor would have variables to work with if the doors were wood. Mr. Michaels responded he would be happy to install wood doors as a replacement, but have not found a price that was reasonable.
Mr. Shaffer asked about the replacement windows. Mr. Michaels said he would replace the windows that are not working and the windows would be painted to match the trim, door and brick.
Mr. Gettel asked if the Applicant considering replacing the rear porch ceiling with plastic beadboard; Mr. Michaels said he considered it, but did not know if the materials would be approved. Mr. Shaffer noted the replacement of plastic beadboard on the rear porch was not part of the proposed application.
Ms. Gudmestad said about painting the trim. Mr. Michaels said the trim had been painted about five years ago, and the work has held up well.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 20-22 Breckenridge Street is a sensitive building, as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts Ordinance). A sensitive building is defined as any building that has been standing for at least 50 years at the time of the application, even though it has been considerably modified. The building is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District. The proposed work will be highly visible from the street.
Gary Shaffer made the motion that the Board recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the application with the exception of the two front-entry doors with the stipulation that the owner has the option to replace the beadboard on the rear porch with an alternative material. A recommendation on the front doors was held off until the Board discussed alternatives with Mr. Michaels. Ms. Gudmestad seconded the motion.
Following the motion, Mr. Michaels said he could leave the doors on. Mr. Shaffer said the front doors are a major design element of the building and discussions should take place with the Applicant's contractor regarding the Applicant's options.
Mr. Michaels said he has to paint the back of the building, which is not covered by the Elm Street Grant. Ms. Gustafson expressed her concerned about blasting the bricks and suggested the Applicant use low-pressure cleaning.
After additional discussion regarding the front doors, the Board approved the motion, 4-to-0.
C. Alteration. Replacement Windows, West Elevation. 309 Buford Avenue. Gary Milano, owner.
Background: The Colonial Revival style house at 309 Buford Avenue was built ca. 1920. The exterior walls are covered with stucco. The property has been modified over the years but retains some integrity.
John Bortz of Pella represented the Applicant. Mr. Bortz provided a summary of the application, which was the replacement of four windows on the west elevation. Mr. Shaffer asked what type of replacement windows would be used; Mr. Bortz responded the windows would be 6-over-1, which was identical to the existing windows.
Findings of Fact: The dwelling at 309 Buford Avenue is a sensitive building being more than 50 years old. It is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The proposed changes will be somewhat visible from Buford Avenue. The proposed windows replicate the existing windows.
Ms. Gustafson made a motion the Board recommend Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the application as submitted. Ms. Gudmestad seconded the motion; it passed, 4-to-0.
Mr. Shaffer recused himself due to a fiduciary relationship with the following two applicants. Ms. Gustafson assumed the role of acting chair.
D. New Construction. Rear Addition. 29 Mummasburg Street, Tom Soliday, owner.
Background: The two-story frame dwelling was built ca. 1873 with side gables. The structure is of a National Folk Style by James F. Woodward. The rear addition was built after April 1931.
Ms. Gustafson and Mr. Gettel complimented the Applicant for the proposal. Ms. Gudmestad asked if the siding on the rear addition will be a different size. Mr. Shaffer responded that the new siding will be narrower and they will used an alternative vinyl siding.
Ms. Gustafson commented about the removal of the existing masonry chimney.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 29 Mummasburg Street is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts Ordinance). A sensitive building is defined as any building that has been standing for at least 50 years at the time of the application, even though it has been considerably modified, and certain sites of later historic significance or buildings that the Board has determined to be exemplary of later architectural styles.
The construction of a new addition to an existing building is considered a permanent change, making this proposal a critical project, which is defined in the Historic Districts Ordinance as "A project involving demolition of all or part of any building or change in configuration and rhythm of any building as a whole, or any alteration to a sensitive building."
The building is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District.
The new addition will have increased visibility from the street.
Mr. Gettel made a motion that the Board recommend Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the application as submitted. Ms. Gudmestad seconded the motion; the motion passed 3-to-0 with one abstention.
E. Alteration, Rear Stair to the Second Floor. 430 Baltimore Street. Keith and Dawn Bordonaro, owners.
Background: The two-story building, a Neo-Eclectic design, first shows up on the April 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. The building is constructed of block covered with brick veneer. The building was built as a residence but has served as a commercial property for the past 15 years or so.
Mr. Gettel asked if the deck would be visible. Ms. Gustafson asked how many steps were leading to the deck because the plans would indicate the removal of the existing sidewalk. Mr. Shaffer said the stair location will be sited to miss the existing sidewalk. Ms. Gustafson asked about the use of steel piers to hold the deck. Mr. Shaffer said steel is unforgiving; a contractor has to be precise in installation.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 430 Baltimore Street is a sensitive building as defined in Chapter 11 of the Borough Code of Ordinances, Historic Districts (Historic Districts Ordinance). A sensitive building is defined as any building that has been standing for at least 50 years at the time of the application, even though it has been considerably modified, and certain sites of later historic significance or buildings that the Board has determined to be exemplary of later architectural styles.
The proposed change is considered a permanent change, making this proposal a critical project, which is defined in the Historic Districts Ordinance as "A project involving demolition of all or part of any building or change in configuration and rhythm of any building as a whole, or any alteration to a sensitive building."
The building is located within the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District.
Mr. Gettel made a motion the Board recommend Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the application as submitted. Ms. Gudmestad seconded the motion; the motion passed 3-to-0 with one abstention.
New Business
Mr. Shaffer resumed his position as Board chairman.
The Board discussed Borough Staff's proposal to change the application deadline to 14 days before the regularly scheduled meeting from seven days. Mr. Shaffer expresses his concern that the new deadline may increase tension with property owners.
Mr. Shaffer made the motion to move the application deadline to 14 days (the first Wednesday of the month). Ms. Gustafson seconded the motion; it passed 4-to-0.
Staff Reports
Mr. Gettel said many applications that came before the Board was due to code enforcement actions taken by the Borough. The Board noted that Staff should provide code enforcement actions in the background reports for applications.
Mr. Dellett discussed setting up a meeting between the Board and the new Borough Council and to begin consideration of the Historic Preservation Awards, which will be issued in May.
Mr. Shaffer noted with the resignation of Judith McGee, there were two vacancies on the Board. Mr. Shaffer said he was working as hard as he could to get Dr. Walter Powell, the former Borough Planning Director, appointed for one of the vacancies. He noted that the Board needed a person with a historic background and he would welcome Dr. Powell's expertise. Ms. Gustafson said she had mixed emotions regarding the appointment of Dr. Powell.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Dellett, AICP
Planning Director