HARB (1 of 2)

Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes

September 16, 2009

Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Those in attendance were Board members Nancie Gudmestad, Peggy Gustafson, Elwood Christ, Judi McGee, Dale Gettel, Borough Code Enforcement Official; Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator; and Claire Lewis, Borough Council liaison.

Others in attendance were Harold Dunkleberger for 245 Baltimore Street; Kathy Gilbert, owner, Stephanie McIlwee, Elm Street program, and Mike Coldsmith, for 39 South Street; Chris Lauer and Mark Egloff, Epley Building, 100-102 Chambersburg Street and Joe Edgar.

There were three additions to the agenda -- a proposal for a mural at the Epley Building, 100-102 Chambersburg Street and under old business ADA ramps for 2 York Street, Cordori's Gifts and 62 Chambersburg Street. Judi McGee moved to accept the minutes of August 19, 2009 as submitted. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0.

Mr. Shaffer introduced the members and noted that the Board serves as an advisory group to Borough Council, which makes the final decision concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will meet next on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

Certificates of Appropriateness

A. Alteration. Replace roof and post. Rear side porch. 245 Baltimore Street. Harold R. Dunkelberger, owner.

A two-story fame building appears on this site on the 1886 Sanborn Fire Insurance map. A two-story frame addition was added to the building prior to April 2, 1931, according to that year's Sanborn map. When Dale Gettel asked if the property was a rental, the owner replied yes.

Dale also asked about the window near the porch noting that the sill was damaged and several panes were missing. The applicant said that the window would be repaired but he was concentrating on the porch first.

Judi McGee questioned the buckling of the siding. Mr. Dunkelberger said that the buckling was part of the damaged caused by the falling porch roof and does not plan to repair the siding yet. Ms. McGee asked what was meant by wrapping the beam as mentioned in the plan. The contactor proposes to tie together a 2x6 and 2x4, then wrap the unit with aluminum. This will serve as a beam running from the top of a new post to the top of a 2x4 attached to the wall. This will support the southern length of the porch roof. The 2x4 to be attached to the wall will also be wrapped in aluminum.

Nancie Gudmestad asked if the proposed porch would be the same size as the existing one. The applicant said yes. The porch roof must be replaced; it's a safety hazard. Ms. Gudmestad then asked if shingles would be used on the roof. The applicant said shingles would be used and new spouting installed.

Merry Bush asked if the applicant had considered using a porch post from the HGAC's Architectural Salvage Warehouse. Mr. Dunkelberger said no, he was following the suggested proposal from his contractor.

Finding of Fact: The building at 245 Baltimore Street, part of a duplex, is located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District as determined by ordinance. It is a sensitive building and the proposed work would be a permanent change. The proposed modification is not visible from a main street and hardly visible from the alley.

Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend to Borough Council that a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) be issued for this application as submitted. Nancie Gudmestad seconded the motion, which passed 6 to 0.

B. Alteration. Window and Door Replacement. 39 South Street. Garret & Kathy Gilbert, owners.

Merry Bush said that 39 South Street is a frame building that first appears on the 1931 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.

Nanci Gudmestad said that the windows looked pretty good from the exterior. Kathy Gilbert, the owner, said that the glazing is not holding up and in the winter you can see the curtains blow. It was noted that the existing windows are wood and that vinyl siding covers the walls. There are storm windows over the wood windows. The applicant wishes to replace that combination with vinyl windows.

Peggy Gustafson noted that the applicant wished to replace the existing wood door with a stock door and that the window panels only extend down a third of the door instead of half way like the original door. She asked if the applicant had considered any other door. Mike Coldsmith said that this is the only replacement door that fits into the existing opening.

Ms. Gilbert said that the door is warped with a quarter to a half-inch opening all the way around the door.

Peggy Gustafson asked if another door could be found would the owner consider it. She noted that it was one of the few original pieces left on the exterior of the house. Merry Bush noted that the windows in the door match those in the sidelights.

Kathy Gilbert said that the door and the storm door are too close together. The plan is to bump out the existing storm windows over the sidelights and install a new full view storm door. She said that there is original wood on the interior of the door and shims used to make a door fit would be visible on the inside. The finish on the interior side of the door is natural wood. The screen for the storm door rolls up inside the door.

Peggy asked about the color of glass in the windows. Kathy Gilbert said that it would be clear low-E glass meeting Energy Star standards. Gary Shaffer said that it is a coating on the windows that gives it a different color.

Findings of Fact: The building at 39 South Street is a senstive building in the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and a contributing building to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The home retains a mixed degree of integrity with alternate siding. The door and windows remain in the same configuration. The openings would not be altered in this proposal, although original material would be removed. The proposed changes are permanent in nature.

Dale Gettel moved to accept the application as submitted. Elwood Christ seconded. Discussion followed.

Judi McGee said that good weatherization would solve the problem. The original windows just need reglazing and painting. The storm windows would add the final layer of needed weatherization.

Kathy said that the Board had let her replace windows at 221 Chambersburg Street. (It was noted that Ms. Gilbert had purchased windows for that building and was about to install them without applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness.) Ms. Gilbert was told that each building stands on its own merits.

Gary Shaffer said that wood windows hold up much better than vinyl windows. Vinyl windows are known to fail within 15 to 20 years. Continuing, he said that initially vinyl windows would be better off energy-wise but vinyl windows melt in the sun; they will sag and fail. Mr. Shaffer pointed out that the proposed door is not the same as the original door.

When the question was called, the motion failed 0 to 6.

The vinyl windows proposed replicate the look of the original windows. Peggy Gustafson said that she reluctantly moved to recommend that Borough Council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal of the existing three-over-one windows in this house and allow the proposed vinyl windows with wood grain on the interior and low-E clear glass be installed. Nancie Gudmestad seconded emphasizing that the vinyl windows must replicate the look of three-over-one Praire-style windows.

Judi McGee said that the purpose of the Board is to protect the house and should make every effort to do so. The motion carried, 5 to 1, with Judi McGee presenting the disenting vote, which she had previously explained.

Gary Shaffer said he hadn't seen the cost for an alternate door that matches the existing door so he does not know if that cost would be prohibitive.

Gary Shaffer moved to deny the replacement of the front door with the one presented but

acknowledge that if a door is found to match the existing one a COA would automatically be approved. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0.

The owner will donate the windows to the architectural salvage warehouse.

The Board agreed to hear the applications out of order so that those that Gary Shaffer was involved in would be last on the agenda.

D. Conceptual. Mural on east wall of 100-102 Chambersburg Street. Epley Building. Mark Egloff, owner. Chris Lauer, artist.

A plaque located on the west wall gives date of 1913 when the building was built to serve as a garage on the Lincoln Highway featureing gas pumps on Chambersburg Street.

Several concepts for a proposed mural were provided. Mark Egloff, the owner, said he had not yet bought into it. Merry Bush suggested that the mural, if agreed upon, be wrapped around the rear of the building to cover up existing graffiti. Studies have concluded that murals are rarely damaged by graffiti.

Gary Shaffer said in Historic Districts you usually see images that are more realistic, such as streetscapes, landscapes or skyscape.

Dale Gettel said that he liked the concept. The artist said that it would have to be very simple as he was leaving town at the end of October.

Nancie Gudmestand said she would prefer a mountain or seascape, recognizing though that it would not be appropriate for Gettysburg. Judi McGree also likes seacapes.

There were questions about the maintenance of the mural. The artist said that he coats murals with a sealer that protects them for years.

It was agreed that the final design for the mural would be up to the owner and the artist but a final proposal was to be reviewed by Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator.

Old Business

A. Alteration. Front porch. 300 N. Stratton Street. Linda Zhea, owner.

A significant number of the rowhouses have maintained the internal gutter. Mike Coldsmith, the contractor, said that rubber does not work. Rubber roofing is not made for a quick turn into the hidden gutter; it eventually stretches out.

Peggy Gustafson asked if it was not possible to put a soldered seam roof down. Mr. Coldsmith said you would have put something like copper that is solderable. Ms. Gustafson that the existing roof has standing-seam metal. Responding Mr. Coldsmith said that it is old turned metal

Peggy Gustafson said if you maintain metal it will last longer than shingles but not as long as slate. She said that it would be cost effective if you were doing two of these roofs in metal. What really matters is what will work in this situation. A standing-seam roof would match that recently approved for the rear porch. Mr. Coldsmith said that it was availble in silver or red. Gary Shaffer said that a standing-seam roof produces shadows.

Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for repair of the existing crown molding, use of copper or other metal for the hidden gutter and either a low-profile flat shingle or rolled flat roofing. Elwood Christ seconded. The motion carried 6 to 0.

The railings proposed for the porch have heavy verticle balusters but not as close together. The balusters in the proposed railing are four inches apart making the railing [building] code compliant. Dale Gettel said he would prefer the balusters closer together but this does not give a historic look.

Gary made a motion recommending that a Certificate of Appropriatenss be issued requiring that the exisiting wood railing be retained and that the decking be repaired using in-kind materials. Peggy Gustafson seconded and the motion carried, 6 to 0.

Gary Shaffer recused himself from the review of the following applications as he has a fiduciary relationship with the applicants. Elwood Christ assumed the role of chairman, returning to the review of an initial application

C. Alteration. ADA ramp in public right-of-way. 116 Baltimore Street. Baltimore Street Income Partners, LP, owner. Scott Hartman, representative.

The building at 116 Baltimore Street is a three-story brick structure that appears as a grocer on the 1886 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map and as a store on the 1931 Sanborn map.

The owner feels that the property would be more valuable as a business rental. He wants to keep the existing client, an engineering firm. Public meetings are often held by the firm requiring the building to be accessible. Access to the building is cut off from the back; there is no access to the alley or Borough parking lot.

Gary Shaffer said that his client would agree to tabling review of the application until the Borough's ADA engineer, H.R. Gray, has a chance to review the proposed ramp.

Elwood Christ reported that a Civil War plaque hangs on the building and that Fanny Bealer lived here.

Mr. Christ asked if a an ADA certified professional prepared the plans. Mr. Shaffer said that he is a registered architect. Mr. Shaffer confirmed that there is no other possible way to access the building.

When asked, Mr. Shaffer said that this building was not part of the federal lawsuit filed by Marilyn Phillips, however the owner and the tenant are trying to avoid litigation. The proposed railing would be black metal similar to that at the county courthouse. Brick would cover the side of the ramp with a masonry curb to support the guardrail and protect it from snow shovels.

Peggy Gustafson asked about the balusters of the railing. Mr. Shaffer said that they would be square and hollow and four inches on center.

Findings of Fact: The building at 116 Baltimore Street is a sensitive building located within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District and is a contributing building to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District, therefore any exterior work must be reviewed by this Board.

Mr. Shaffer said that the applicant would have no problem with the Board tabling further review. Elwood Christ made a motion to that effect with Peggy Gustafson seconding. The motion carried, 5 to 0, with 1 abstention.

Return to Old Business

B. Alteration. ADA compliant ramp. 62 Chambersburg Street. Ann Redd, Reddup Properties, LLC, owner.

According to Gary Shaffer, who was representing Ann Redd, the owner, a settlement had been reached with Marilyn Phillips if the work on the ramp was completed by November 15 and the owner paid Dr. Phillips's legal fees. The ramp will not be turned around as suggested by H.R. Gray; the ramp would have to be 10 to 12 feet longer in that direction.

Installation of the required four-foot wide ramp will necessitate the removal of one or more trees to allow for a four-foot clearance on the sidewalk. The federal government does not see trees as immovable objects, but the owner does not want to remove the trees. The trees could be saved if the ramp was positioned toward Chambersburg Street, however that would require the ramp to be 30 feet long.

The ramp surface would have a broom-swept finish and the sides would be block covered with stucco.

It was noted that the ramp will be located away from the historic entrance to the building. Mr. Shaffer said that he did not think the ramp would have a detrimental impact on the streetscape of the building.

When asked if this was the only way to provide ADA-compliant access to the building, Mr. Shaffer said there is no room in the front because of the traffic signal post and box.

Elwood Christ made a motion to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for this application based upon the esthetics/appearance of the proposed ramp. Dale Gettel seconded the motion, which carried 5 to 0, with one abstention.

C. Alteration. Install railing for proposed handicapped accessible ramp. (Ramp itself is not part of the review.) 2 Lincoln Square [2 York Street]. Gettysburg Hotel Investors, Inc., owners.

In June 2008 an application for a railing to be installed on a ramp proposed for 2 York Street (also referred to as 2 Lincoln Square). A Certificate of Appropriateness was approved by Borough Council in July 2008.

This application for a COA is for a ramp of a different design with a railing along the ramp as well as one straight out from the doorway to prevent a tripping hazard.

Gary Shaffer said that H.R. Gray is recommending a raised sidewalk that would meet ADA-accessibility standards. According to Mr. Shaffer this is not possible due to the steepness of the flared sides.

Mr. Shaffer said he was advised by his client to build this newly proposed design. Elwood Christ said that the ramp would not impact the Historic District streetscape. Merry Bush said that the location of the ramp and the railing pointing toward the square, as well as its appearance from the York Street sidewalk, greatly impacts the streetscape.

Mr. Shaffer said that the ramp would have a traditional turned balusters. This is the only place for ADA-compliant access to this tenant space

Peggy Gustafson moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued for this application in that the esthetics of the design are inline with the historic nature of the town and the ramp meets the needs of the owner. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried, 5 to 0 with 1 abstention.

The Board agreed to continue this meeting one week later on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 7:30 pm. There will be a discussion of issues regarding ADA ramps, review of Reading Borough's satellite dish ordinance, and discussion of the proposed Sign Ordinance in preparation for the public meeting to be held September 28, 2009.

The meeting temporarily ended at 10:30 pm.