HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2010
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7:32 p.m. Those in attendance were Board members Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; and Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator. A quorum was present. Nancie Gudmestad and Judi McGee were absent.
Others in attendance were A.J. Kramer for 100 Buford Avenue; Jair Barr for 112 York Street; Leon Carvell, Bottomline Contracting, for Susquehanna Bank, 29 N. Washington Street; and Germano Gomez, Orchard Development, 140 Carlisle Street.
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 Borough Council, which makes final decisions concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will meet next on Monday, March 8, 2010.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
Since Gary Shaffer was representing the applicants for the projects listed under Old Business was moved to the end of the review agenda.
Peggy Gustafson asked that a change be made to the minutes. Under Item D. 232 S. Washington Street, Ms. Gustafson added a sentence to the end of the last paragraph, "Both had no concerns if the solar panels were located on just the rear side of the roof, not visible from the street." Peggy Gustafson moved to accept the minutes as amended. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Wrap trim, gable-end boards, freeze boards and box boards with aluminum. 29 N. Washington Street. Susquehanna Bancshares, owner. Bottomline Contracting, applicant.
The applicant proposes covering all the wood areas that are in dire need of paint. Peggy Gustafson said that there was a lot of molding to cover. Leon Carvell, representing Susquehanna Bank, said that they would like to cover all the wood. Aluminum would be bent around the wood creating a square profile.
Findings of Fact: The work proposed would be a major project located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as set by ordinance. The building is a non-sensitive one being less than 50 years old. The applicant proposes to modify architectural details. The proposed work is not in line with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, nor is it in line with the Gettysburg Design Guide.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for cladding on the drive through, requiring that the columns be painted and denying any cladding of the front entrance portico. The rakes and eaves may not be wrapped with aluminum. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0.
Since the rear entry is not visible from the main street, Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for cladding the rear rakes and eves, as well as the fascia below the bow window on the rear elevation. The high areas at the roof line may be clad. The entry way itself must remain painted wood. Dale Gettel seconded. The motion carried 4 to 0.
B. Alteration. Front porch. Alternate siding on rear. 112 York Street. Jair Barr, owner.
Dale Gettel pointed out that drawings and permits would be required for the proposed deck work at the rear of the house.
Elwood Christ asked the applicant to clarify the application. Jair Barr, the new owner, said that he planned to remove the existing rear porch and stairs to the second floor. A new porch/deck would be built across the width of the rear portion of the building, similar to the house next door. He also plans to cover the rear addition with vinyl siding.
Mr. Barr said that he wants to lengthen the front porch one foot, six inches on either side. He also proposes to relocate the downspout to the side of the building.
Gary Shaffer asked if the applicant planned to change the design of the downspouts. Mr. Bair said he would like to change them to k-style gutters. The applicant plans to remove and replace the porch roof but not the cement steps. When asked about the design of the storm door the applicant said it would be a completely clear door matching the paint scheme of the rest of the window trim and the front door. The new storm windows would be white not gray aluminum.
Jair Barr said that the house would be returned to a single family home for himself and his family. The building previously housed a business on the first floor with an apartment on the second.
Dale Gettel pointed out that water running over the sidewalk has become an issue this winter. He suggested the applicant find a way to run the water to the rear yard, if possible. Gary Shaffer suggested that Mr. Barr work with his neighbor on a drainage solution that would work for both of them.
Peggy Gustafson asked about the cornice at the top of the building. Mr. Barr said he plans to paint and maintain the wood. Ms. Gustafson also suggested that he look at porch brackets on other houses in the Borough include brackets of a simple design when replacing the porch roof. She also mentioned the significant ice build-up on the sidewalk.
Gary Shaffer said he no issue with the proposed work on the rear of the building.
Findings of Fact: The house located at 112 York Street is a sensitive building being at least 50 years old. The property is located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance. The building also contributes to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The proposed modifications are in line with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The proposed alterations at the rear are visible from the alley only and are allowed by the Standards for the treatment of historic properties.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for the proposed work but noted that construction drawings must be submitted for the proposed deck or porch at the rear, as well as the front porch roof. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0.
Item C. was heard after the remaining applications were presented.
D. New construction. Carlisle Apartments. 140 Carlisle Street. Orchard Development, owners.
The developers of the Carlisle Apartments to be built at 140 Carlisle Street returned for a final review of the project. Germano Gomez, director of development for Orchard Development, explained that the project was reduced in size to one building facing Carlisle Street. The exterior materials remain the same as when the conceptual design was presented several years ago. The colors remain the same, as well.
Peggy Gustafson asked if different widths of siding were going to be used. Mr. Gomez said yes. She then asked about the roof above the window bump-out on the north elevation. Mr. Gomez said that the roof will have more presence than shown on the drawing. The roof appears foreshortened in the drawing; there will be outlet windows on the sides.
Brick veneer will be used on the project. Elwood Christ asked about the grate-covered openings on the north and south elevations. Mr. Gomez said that those were vents for the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system. The vents will be the same color as the surrounding material and would appear integrated.
Peggy Gustafson asked about the panels below the bay windows, the applicant said that they would be recessed panels. The project will have 22 apartment units.
Findings of Fact: The new construction will take place within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as set by ordinance. The review by this Board is for design only and does not include review for zoning or building codes.
Dale Gettel moved to recommend that Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project as submitted. Peggy Gustafson seconded. The motion carried, 4 to 0.
Gary Shaffer recused himself and left the room. He had a fiduciary relationship with the following applicant in the past. Elwood Christ assumed the role of chairman.
E. Alteration. Install alternate siding. 100 Buford Avenue. Harry Kramer, owner.
As was noted in a previous application, the building at 100 Buford Avenue served as the Knox Cadillac showroom in the 1950s. A stop work order was placed on the property. Contractors started to install the siding without a Certificate of Appropriateness and without a building permit.
A. J. Kramer, son of the owner, apologized for the misunderstanding of the scope of the work of the previous application. He said the tenants are extremely happy with the replacement windows recently installed. He said that water penetrates the rough cinderblock wall. He said that the stamped steel panels installed at the top of the wall do not keep water out. He proposes to cover the panels and cinderblock wall facing Reynolds Street with vinyl siding.
Dale Gettel said that covering the concrete block would improve the look of the building. Continuing, he said he appreciated the cooperation of the contractors when the stop work order was issued. Peggy Gustafson said thank you.
Findings of Fact: The structure at 100 Buford Avenue is a sensitive building located within the Historic District being just over 50 years of age. However, it does not contribute to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register District as it was built as a garage for Knox Cadillac.
Elwood Christ moved to recommend a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for this work. Dale Gettel seconded.
In the discussion that followed, it was noted that the property is located at the intersection of two streets. The side still fronts on a major thoroughfare. The materials proposed to be covered are not architecturally significant materials.
Peggy Gustafson told the applicant that the guardrail needs to be replaced. Mr. Kramer said that he hasn’t been able to find someone who can make a curved piece for the railing system. Mr. Kramer was told he would have to submit a new application to replace the railing.
The motion carried, 3 to 0, with one abstention.
Gary Shaffer returned to the room and presented the following applications.
Old Business
A. Alteration. ADA compliant ramp. 17 Lincoln Square. 17 on the Square, LLC, owner.
The drawings for the proposed ramp were sent to H.R. Gray for review. Except for a minor change regarding the handrail the proposed work meets ADA requirements. Merry Bush asked Gary Shaffer if the owners had approached PHMC to determine that ADA access from the front was unfeasible and unreasonable. Mr. Shaffer said they had not.
Elwood Christ moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued based upon the elevation drawings including the stair detail. Dale Gettel seconded and the motion carried, 3 to 0. Gary Shaffer abstained from voting.
B. Alteration. Doors. 23-25 York Street. Jackie Lin, owner.
When this application was reviewed last month, the Board only looked at the elevation drawings of the ramp and did not consider the new doors proposed. Peggy Gustafson asked for an explanation for the minutes.
Gary Shaffer explained that currently each entry consisted of a pair of doors each two feet six inches wide. For ADA compliance, each leaf in a pair of doors must have at least a 32-inch opening. In this case there will be a three-foot-wide door with a sidelight in each entry.
Elwood Christ moved to recommend approval of the door changes as submitted. Dale Gettel seconded. The motion passed 3 to 0 with Gary Shaffer abstaining.
Returning to New Business
C. Conceptual. Alteration. New construction. 38 W. Middle Street. Lisa Portmess and Harry Stokes, owners.
The house at 38 W. Middle Street was built ca. 1886 by Murray R. Sheads. The house has sat vacant for at least 10 years. The new owners plan to restore the front section of the house. The first steps will be to stabilize the structure and enlarge the crawl space. The sill plates will be replaced. The home will be a single family residence. Most of the rear first floor room will be retained. The floor will be removed and the roof will be raised to accommodate the addition of a half floor. An extension to the east will house new stairs built to code. The original staircase will also be retained. A new addition will be built to the rear to house a first-floor master bedroom along with a bathroom and laundry room. New construction will add two more bedrooms. Three bedroom homes have greater resale value.
Meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards requires that new construction be compatible with the historic fabric of the original house but be distinctively different so as not to recreate history.
Water moves from the rear of the property toward the street. The rear addition will be covered with stucco and will be built into the hill. The foundation and walls will be made of Styrofoam block filled with concrete with an R-45 insulation value. No wood will come in contact with the water. Cement siding will be installed on the middle section of the house. The gable end of the new addition will have simulated shake.
Peggy Gustafson asked if scallops should be added to the stairwell extension that so that the extension blends into the existing scallops on the front façade. Gary Shaffer said that the section would probably hardly be visible from the street as it sits back some distance from the sidewalk. There should be a clear distinction between the historic fabric and new exterior wall treatments.
The application should be before the Board at the March meeting for a recommendation. It was noted that Gary Shaffer is serving as the architect and Elwood Christ completed the historic building survey. Merry Bush will rent the property once the work is completed. Both Mr. Shaffer and Mr. Christ will need to recuse themselves when the application returns.
Reports
Dale Gettel commented on 112 York Street noting that as he completes property maintenance inspections on rental properties he has seen lattice work used on exterior staircases and asked if this was a historic use. Gary Shaffer said that lattice was not used on steps at the rear of buildings. Mr. Shaffer said that the existing rail/guard on the neighbor’s porch were okay. He said that if the owner of 112 York Street presents drawings for the rear porch that are different from design of the neighbor’s porch, HARB would need to review the new design.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Planner and Historic District Administrator