HARB Minutes
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2010
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 7:33 p.m. Those in attendance were Board members Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Nancie Gudmestad, Dale Gettel, Code Enforcement Officer; and Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator. Although Judi McGee was absent, the remaining members constituted a quorum.
Also in attendance were Brian Eastman, Mom's Coffeepot, 65 W. Middle Street; Stephanie McIlwee, Elm Street for 45 South Street; Dennis Loushe and Gene Feather, 53 Steinwehr Avenue; Jair Barr, 112 York Street; Susan Naugle, Borough Council; and John M. Rudy, a student from Shippensburg University.
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 next meet on Monday, May 10, 2010.
Review of Agenda and Minutes
There were no changes or additions to the agenda.
There were several clarifications to the March 17, 2010 minutes under Item B. 38 W. Middle Street. Peggy Gustafson moved to accept the minutes of the March 17, 2010 meeting as revised. Dale Gettel seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Replace front steps. 45 South Street. Charles Drake, owner.
The house at 45 South Street was built some time in the 1930s or 40s. The owner proposes to replace the existing wood steps leading to the front door. The existing steps are not original to the house. The owner wanted to use brick but found the cost prohibitive so concrete steps will be installed. The new steps will fill the space now covered with pavers.
Findings of Fact: The building at 45 South Street is a significant building, over 50 years of age, located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District. The change is a permanent one and is highly visible. The wood steps are not original and are not an architectural feature.
Peggy Gustafson suggested that bricks, in a standing position, could be used for the treads, allowing for a combination of brick and concrete.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that application be approved as submitted. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion passed, 5 to 0.
B. Alteration. Window replacement. Front elevation. 65 W. Middle Street. Brian and Mary Eastman, owners.
The building at 65 W. Middle Street has a Civil War plaque on the front of the building. It has not been confirmed, however, that the building was standing at that time. The owners propose to remove the storm windows on the front of the building and install new window sashes. A sample window was available for the Board to see. The frame and trim will remain untouched. The lower sash will have a screen. The windows are 35 inches wide and 72 inches tall. The new sashes will maintain the four-over-four configuration of the original windows. The sashes will have low-E clear glass and interior and exterior muntins. The sashes will be white on the exterior.
Findings of Fact: The building is located in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance; it is a significant building. It is also a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The presence of the Civil War plaque is probably adequate to determine its age. The owner proposes to replicate the original/existing window sashes. It was noted that at some point metal was placed on some of the window sills. The owner does not plan to continue that practice.
Elwood Christ moved to recommend approval for the application as submitted. Peggy Gustafson seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0.
C. Alteration. Window replacement. Side elevation. 112 York Street. Jair Barr, owner.
The owner is requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the windows in their entirety on the west and east elevations of the house. There are seven on the west side and four on the east. New window trim will be installed and the sills covered with vinyl. The wood headers will remain uncovered.
Findings of Fact: The owner received a Certificate of Appropriateness for other work on the house. The structure at 112 York Street is located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance. The building is a significant one being over 50 years of age. It is also a contributing structure in the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The building maintains its architectural integrity and design. The proposed windows are not visible from the street or alley. The proposed windows are wood, clad with vinyl.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to approve the application as submitted. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
D. Alteration. ADA Lift. 53 Steinwehr Avenue. Dennis and Carol Loushe, owners.
The original building was a Craftsman-style bungalow, however, it has been modified several times over the years. Windows have been filled in and additions built on the front and rear.
The applicant proposes the installation of an ADA-compliant lift at the front entrance. A ramp is not feasible considering the width of the lot. There are three steps each seven inches high for a total of 21 inches. The distance from the bottom step to the curb is 5 feet 11 inches. There was a question about the type of handrail proposed for the new steps. The application calls for an industrial, round galvanized pipe rail. The owner said that was not what he wants. He wants a more traditional, wrought iron look. The applicant noted that he had to replace a portion of the rear wall due to water damage from the roof.
Gary Shaffer pointed out that the lift presented in the application was a residential lift not a commercial lift and he questioned whether it could be approved under the Uniform Construction Code. Continuing, Mr. Shaffer said that if the Board wished to recommend the application for approval it would have to be a very specific motion.
The design of the lift is for residential limited use. It has a very low profile, very unnoticeable and that is probably why it was selected. However, the lift has no guard to keep young children or animals from going beneath the lift while it is in the raised position.
The application also calls for the replacement of a window in the rear addition and the installation of a overhead door for unloading merchandise.
Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for this application as submitted with the Trust-ram lift only. If a more substantial lift is required, the Board reserves the right for further review. Elwood Christ seconded.
Gary Shaffer amended the motion to specify a traditional handrail with a lamb's tongue configuration. Peggy Gustafson agreed to the amended motion. The amended motion passed, 5 to 0.
E. Alteration. Roof replacement with alternate material. Restore cornice. Evergreen Cemetery Gatehouse. Brian A. Kennell, applicant.
Gary Shaffer presented the application but has no fiduciary relationship with the applicant.
The applicant proposes to remove the existing shingle roof and replace it with a standing seam metal roof. The cornice will be returned to an original state by removing boxed-in areas on the west and north sides of the northern tower of the gatehouse. The applicant also proposes to paint the existing galvanized metal roof on the towers and overhang of the archway.
Peggy Gustafson expressed concern about the type of paint being used for the standing seam metal roof. She knows that a galvanized roof needs special paint. There was some discussion of Cy Dietz's proposal and it appears that he has adequately specified the type of paint required for the job.
Findings of Fact: The 110-year-old building is a contributing structure to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District and a significant structure located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District. The building has a high degree of architectural integrity and is highly regarded as a symbol of Gettysburg. The proposed changes are permanent in nature and would be highly visible.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the application as submitted. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0.
New Business
Susan Naugle shared a letter written by the Human Resources Committee on behalf of the Board to be sent to local real estate firms. It is an effort to bring the Board up to full capacity. Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that the letter be sent. Elwood Christ seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Troy Truax of Delta Development gave presentation on the Steinwehr Avenue Revitalization Plan and the streetscape improvement plan for the first block of Steinwehr.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush,
Borough Planner and
Historic District Administrator