HARB
Historic Architectural Review Board
Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2009
Chairman Gary Shaffer called the Historical Architectural Review Board to order at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2009. Those in attendance were Board members Nancie Gudmestad, Peggy Gustafson, Dale Gettel, Borough Code Enforcement Official; Merry Bush, Borough Planner and Historic District Administrator; and Claire Lewis, Borough Council liaison. Elwood Christ and Judi McGee were absent. Others in attendance were George and Darlene Harbaugh for 221 N. Stratton Street.
There was one addition to the agenda - Mr. Harbaugh wanted some direction for replacement windows for 221 N. Stratton Street. There was one correction to the September 16th minutes, in the sixth paragraph under Item B. 39 South Street the owner plans to bump out the storm windows covering the sidelights and not the sidelights themselves. Peggy Gustafson moved to accept the minutes of the September meeting held September 16, 2009 and continued on September 23, 2009 as corrected. Nancie Gudmestad seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0.
Mr. Shaffer introduced the 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 the final decision concerning Certificates of Appropriateness. Borough Council will meet next on Monday, November 9, 2009.
Certificates of Appropriateness
A. Alteration. Replacement windows. 221 N. Stratton Street. George E. Harbaugh, owner.
The house at 221 N. Stratton Street is a two-story c.1858 National Folk Style building. The Civil War house was built by John Kuhn. Records confirm that the building was started prior to November 1859. The dark colored lintels may have been added during a later alteration to the windows.
Kuhn created a brickyard on the five-acre tract located north of town. Late afternoon on July 1, 1863 Confederates and Union soldiers met in battle, now known as the "Brickyard Fight." The Union suffered 1100 casualties, 52% percent of those involved in the fight.
The rear one-story addition was added in 1959 to house a larger kitchen, according to the owners.
The owner wishes to replace the windows with new tilt-in windows and remove the storm windows. He also wishes to replace the gutters and downspouts.
Peggy Gustafson asked if any of the windows on the front façade were original windows. Gary Shaffer said the six-over-six windows appear to be the only three original windows left in the front. There are some original windows on the rear façade. Mr. Shaffer pointed out the significant difference between wood-clad windows and vinyl windows.
The owner said that he would like to replace the front windows first with six-over-six windows to restore the original look to the house.
Gary Shaffer said that restoring the original look follows the Guidelines of the Secretary of the Interior for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Findings of Fact: the home located at 221 N. Stratton Street is located within Gettysburg Borough's Historic District as determined by ordinance, as well as in the Gettysburg Battlefield National Register Historic District. The proposed changes would have high visibility from a public street. The proposed changes are of a permanent nature and therefore come before this Board for review.
Gary Shaffer moved to recommend that a Certificate of Appropriateness be issued with the stipulation that the five front windows be replaced by wood-clad windows with a six-over-six configuration with exterior muntins on the outside of the glass. The rear windows can be vinyl or whatever fits the applicant's budget. Nancie Gudmestad seconded.
Gary Shaffer said that several manufacturers make simulated-divided lights that look like true-divided lights (TDLs) including: Pella, Anderson, Weather Shield and Marvin. Anderson and Marvin make compression window replacement systems including the sashes with a thin aluminum liner that retains the existing wood window frame.
Peggy Gustafson asked about the sliders in the kitchen. Gary Shaffer said that the National Park Service says that different windows should be maintained in the different ages of the building. The motion passed 4 to 0.
The applicant also wishes to replace the gutters and downspouts. Peggy said that more manufacturers are making aluminum half-round gutters with round downspouts. She suggested that the downspouts be 2½ to 3 inches larger than the current downspout to handle the water coming off the roof.
Peggy Gustafson made a motion to recommend approval of new gutters and downspouts on the front of the building. Dale Gettel seconded and the motion carried, 4 to 0.
Gary Shaffer recused himself from discussion of the next application due to his fiduciary relationship with the owner. Merry Bush became acting chairman.
B. Alteration. Replacement windows. 100 Buford Avenue. Harry Kramer, owner
The building at 100 Buford Avenue once housed an automobile dealership. Knox Cadillac was located in the building in the late 1940s to the early 1950s.
The owner proposes replacing the second floor double-hung windows with one-over-one vinyl replacement windows. There are apartments on the second floor. The owner also wishes to cover the asbestos siding on the east-facing second floor rear wall with new vinyl siding.
Nancie Gudmestad moved to recommend approval of the application as submitted. Dale Gettel seconded the motion, which carried 3 to 0 with one abstention.
Old Business
Peggy Gustafson said she had given information to Kathy Gilbert, the owner of 39 South Street, on a divided light door available through Schmuck Lumber. It is a custom order so would be a bit more expensive.
Gary Shaffer reported that Harry Stokes has purchased 38 W. Middle Street, the small Victorian cottage that has been vacant for a number of years. He plans to restore the front building and is considering an addition at the rear.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Merry V. Bush, Historic District Administrator