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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2024-08-20Approved on: September 17, 2024 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) Minutes –August 20, 2024 Commission Member Present: Ed Finegan, Chair David Kramer, Vice Chair Stephen Gibian Katelin Olson Avi Smith Absent: Susan Stein Janet Smith Common Council Members Present: None City Staff Present: Bryan McCracken, Hist. Pres. and Neighborhood Planner & Secretary, ILPC Marjorie McLain, Administrative Assistant _______________________________________________________________________ The regular monthly meeting of the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission was held in Common Council Chambers, Third Floor, City Hall, 108 East Green Street, and also conducted remotely using videoconferencing technology. Virtual participation in public meetings is authorized by Part WW of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022 of New York State and Local Law 2022-05. The proceedings were livestreamed on the City of Ithaca Public Meetings channel on YouTube and a recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAr1vLQBj74 Chair E. Finegan called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. and read the Public Notice. I. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. 106 The Knoll, Cornell Heights Historic District – Proposal to Replace the Front (East) Porch and Infill a Second Story Door. Noah Demarest, Architect with Stream Collaborative, appeared before the Commission on behalf of property owner Phi Delta Sigma, Inc. to present the proposed project. 106 The Knoll is a contributing resource in the locally designated Cornell Heights Historic District. N. Demarest summarized the development history of the likely non-historic porch and the need to replace it due to substantial rot caused by years of water infiltration. The Commission requested additional information on the proposed finish materials and design elements, specifically the fiberglass columns and balusters, boulders at the corners of the stone porch floor, and the gutter. Approved on: September 17, 2024 PUBLIC HEARING On a motion by S Gibian, seconded by D. Kramer, Chair E. Finegan opened the Public Hearing. There being no members of the public appearing and wishing to speak, and no written comments submitted in advance of the meeting to be read aloud, Chair E. Finegan closed the Public Hearing on a motion by D. Kramer, seconded by A. Smith. The Commission discussed the use of fiberglass architectural elements in the historic district and the compatibility of this material with the historic character of this property and the district as a whole. The Commission also discussed the appropriateness of replacing the porch’s non-historic materials with this substitute material. RESOLUTION: 106 The Knoll, Cornell Heights Historic District – Proposal to Replace the Front (East) Porch and Infill a Second-Story Door WHEREAS, 106 The Knoll is located within the Cornell Heights Historic District, as designated under Section 228-3 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code in 1989, and as listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1989, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, dated July 29, 2024, was submitted for review to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by STREAM Collaborative – Craig Modisher on behalf of property owner Phi Delta Sigma, Inc., including the following: (1) two narratives respectively titled Description of Proposed Change(s) and Reasons for Changes(s); (2) , and two drawing prepared by the applicant, dated July 29, 2024, and titled “Front Porch” (A101) and “Back Porch” (A102), and WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form for 106 The Knoll, and the City of Ithaca’s Cornell Heights Historic District Summary Statement, and WHEREAS, as stated in the narrative Description of Proposed Change(s), the project involves the full replacement of the front (east) porch, with changes in roof pitch and column size, infill of a second-story door with a wood panel matching a nearby wood panel, and repair of the rear porch, including the replacement of tongue and groove decking, beadboard ceiling, and support columns, and WHEREAS, the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness is a Type II Action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the City Environmental Approved on: September 17, 2024 Quality Review Ordinance for which no further environmental review is required, and WHEREAS, the applicant has provided sufficient documentation and information to evaluate impacts of the proposal on the subject property and surrounding properties, and WHEREAS, the proposed work on the rear porch meets criteria for a staff-level review per the Landmarks Ordinance and the City of Ithaca Historic District and Landmark Design Guidelines and has been approved, and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing for the purpose of considering approval of the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of the front porch and door infill was conducted at the regularly scheduled ILPC meeting on August 20, 2024, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: As identified in the City of Ithaca’s Cornell Heights Historic District Summary Statement, the period of significance for the area now known as the Cornell Heights Historic District is 1898-1937. As indicated in the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form, The William H. Miller-designed Colonial Revival Residence at 106 The Knoll was constructed between 1899 and 1900 for a Cornell University professor of mathematics. Constructed within the period of significance of the Cornell Heights Historic District and possessing a high level of integrity, the property is a contributing element of the Cornell Heights Historic District. As documented in the historic photographs submitted with the Certificate of Appropriateness Application, the front porch is either a remnant of the house’s original porte cochere or was added after the porte cochere was removed sometime between the 1930s and 50s. In consideration of this and all approvals of proposals for alterations, new construction, or demolition in historic districts, the ILPC must determine that the proposed exterior work will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance and value of either the landmark or, if the improvement is within a district, of the neighboring improvements in such district. In considering architectural and cultural value, the Commission shall consider whether the proposed change is Approved on: September 17, 2024 consistent with the historic value and the spirit of the architectural style of the landmark or district in accordance with Section 228-6 of the Municipal Code. In making this determination, the Commission is guided by the principles set forth in Section 228-6B of the Municipal Code, as further elaborated in Section 228-6C, and by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and in this case specifically the following principles and Standards: Principle #2 The historic features of a property located within, and contributing to the significance of, an historic district shall be altered as little as possible and any alterations made shall be compatible with both the historic character of the individual property and the character of the district as a whole. Principle #3 New construction located within an historic district shall be compatible with the historic character of the district within which it is located. Standard #2 The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property will be avoided. Standard #9 New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. With respect to Principle #2, Standard #2, and Standard #9, the replacement of the front porch and infill of the door will not remove distinctive materials and will not alter features and spaces that characterize the property. In making this determination, the Commission considered the age and materiality of the existing porch. The original porte cochere remained intact throughout the district’s period of significance. Significant alterations made to this structure between the 1930s and 1950s, outside of the period of significance, significantly reduced or removed all of its integrity, rendering it a non-historic element within the district. The materials used to construct it are considered highly compatible yet non-historic. Therefore, the use of fiberglass elements, which are also highly compatible with the historic property and environment, to construct the new porch is consistent with the evolution of this design element. Also with respect to Principle #2, and Standard #9, the proposed porch and infill panel are compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the property and its environment. Approved on: September 17, 2024 RESOLVED, that, based on the findings set forth above, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance of the Cornell Heights Historic District, as set forth in Section 228-6, and be it further, RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission determines that the proposal meets criteria for approval under Section 228-6 of the Municipal Code, and be it further RESOLVED, that the ILPC approves the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the following condition(s): • ILPC staff shall review and approve the final design details and finish materials for the porch prior to the issuance of a Building Permit by City’s Building Division. RECORD OF VOTE: Moved by: D. Kramer Seconded by: A. Smith In Favor: D. Kramer, A. Smith, S. Gibian, E. Finegan, K. Olson Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: J. Smith, S. Stein Vacancies: 0 D. Kramer left the meeting at 6:19 PM. B. 105 West Court Street, Cornell Heights Historic District – Proposal to Install a 32” x 32” Black Vinyl Sign on the Easternmost Window in the First Story of the North Elevation. Applicant Alvieno Stinson did not attend the meeting. In his absence, B. McCracken presented the proposed project at 105 West Court Street Travis Hyde on behalf of property owner Ex Libris, LLC. Library Place at 105 West Court Street (formerly 312-314 North Cayuga Street) is a non-contributing resource in the DeWitt Park Historic District. B. McCracken detailed the proposal to install a 32”x32” sign and noted that this sign would replace the 18”x18” sign approved by the Commission for the same proposed location earlier in the year. PUBLIC HEARING On a motion by S. Gibian, seconded by A. Smith, Chair E. Finegan opened the Public Hearing. Approved on: September 17, 2024 There being no members of the public appearing and wishing to speak, and no written comments submitted in advance of the meeting to be read aloud, Chair E. Finegan closed the Public Hearing on a motion by K. Olson, seconded by A. Smith. The Commission voiced no objections to the proposed sign. RESOLUTION: 105 West Court Street, DeWitt Park Historic District – Proposal to Install a 32”x32” Black Vinyl Sign on the Easternmost Window in the First Story of the North Elevation. WHEREAS, 105 West Court Street (formerly 312-314 North Cayuga Street), is located in the DeWitt Park Historic District, as designated under Section 228-3 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code in 1971, and as listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1971, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, dated August 8, 2024, was submitted for review to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by Alvieno Stinson on behalf of property owner Ex Libris, LLC, including the following: (1) two narratives respectively titled Description of Proposed Change(s) and Reasons for Changes(s); (2) a drawing of the proposed sign; and (3) a photograph showing existing conditions, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has also reviewed the City of Ithaca’s DeWitt Park Historic District Summary Statement, and WHEREAS, the proposed project involves the installation of a 32”x32” black vinyl sign on the easternmost window in the first story of the north elevation, and WHEREAS, the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness is a Type II Action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance for which no further environmental review is required, and WHEREAS, the applicant has provided sufficient documentation and information to evaluate impacts of the proposal on the subject property and surrounding properties, and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing for the purpose of considering approval of the Application for Certificate of Appropriateness was conducted at the regularly scheduled ILPC meeting on August 20, 2024, now therefore be it Approved on: September 17, 2024 RESOLVED, that the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: As identified in the City of Ithaca’s DeWitt Park Historic District Summary Statement, the period of significance for the area now known as the DeWitt Park Historic District is 1820-1930. 105 West Court Street (formerly 312-314 North Cayuga Street) was completed in 2024. Constructed outside of the period of significance of the DeWitt Park Historic District, the property is a non-contributing element. In consideration of this and all approvals of proposals for alterations, new construction or demolition in historic districts, the ILPC must determine that the proposed exterior work will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical or architectural significance and value of either the landmark or, if the improvement is within a district, of the neighboring improvements in such district. In considering architectural and cultural value, the Commission shall consider whether the proposed change is consistent with the historic value and the spirit of the architectural style of the landmark or district in accordance with Section 228-6 of the Municipal Code. In making this determination, the Commission is guided by the principles set forth in Section 228-6B of the Municipal Code, as further elaborated in Section 228-6C, and by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and in this case specifically the following principles and Standards: Standard #9 New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. As a non-contributing structure, 105 West Court Street, by definition, does not possess historic materials or features that are subject to protection under the Principles enumerated in Section 228-5 of the Municipal Code or the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The ILPC’s evaluation of the proposed work is therefore limited to the assessment of the impact of the proposed work on adjacent historic structures in the district and on the DeWitt Park Historic District as a whole, with the guiding principle being that the proposed work must not further reduce the compatibility of the non-contributing structure with its historic environment. Approved on: September 17, 2024 With respect to Standard #9, the proposed 32”x32” sign is compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the property and its environment. RESOLVED, that, based on findings set forth above, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance of the DeWitt Park Historic District as set forth in Section 228-6, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission determines that the proposal meets the criteria for approval under Section 228-6 of the Municipal Code, and be it further RESOLVED, that the ILPC approves the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. RECORD OF VOTE: Moved by: A. Smith Seconded by: K. Olson In Favor: S. Gibian, E. Finegan, A. Smith, K. Olson Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: J. Smith, S. Stein, D. Kramer Vacancies: 0 Recuse: 0 II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST No members of the public appeared before the Commission to speak, and no written comments were submitted in advance of the meeting to be read aloud. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Certified Local Government Review and Report – Ithaca Downtown Historic District: Additional Documentation (Firebrand Books, 141-143 East State Street (1984-1993) The Commission expressed overwhelming support for the proposal to recognize the importance of Firebrand Books in LBGTQ and women’s history by including additional areas of significance in the National Register of the Historic Places listing for the Ithaca Downtown Historic District. On a motion by K. Olson, seconded by A. Smith, the Commission unanimously voted to adopt the following report. RE: Report on the Inclusion of Additional Significance in the Areas of Social History/LGBT and Social History/Women’s History in the National Register of Historic Places Listing of the Ithaca Downtown Historic District WHEREAS, in its capacity as a New York State Certified Local Government (CLG), as designated in 1986 by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Approved on: September 17, 2024 Historic Preservation (PARKS), the City of Ithaca is required to participate in the nomination process for properties being considered for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and WHEREAS, the specific requirements for participation include: (1) after reasonable opportunity for public comment, the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) shall prepare a report stating whether or not, in its opinion, the property meets criteria for listing on the New York State and National Registers, and (2) the City’s chief local elected official, in this case Mayor Robert Cantelmo, shall transmit the Commission’s report and his recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Office, and WHEREAS, the Ithaca Downtown Historic District was respectively listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2004 and 2005, and WHEREAS, at their upcoming meetings, the New York State Historic Preservation Review Board and the National Park Service are considering expanding the areas of significance of the already listed Ithaca Downtown Historic District to include Social History, LBGT and Social History, and Women’s History for the district’s association with Firebrand Books at 141-143 East State Street, and WHEREAS, the ILPC considered the proposal to expand the areas of significance of the Ithaca Downtown Historic District as noted above at its regular meeting held on August 20, 2024, the agenda for which is routinely publish in the City’s official newspaper, The Ithaca Journal, and posted in advance of the meeting in City Hall, 108 E. Green St., and on the City’s web site, and WHEREAS, documentation reviewed by the ILPC includes a letter dated July 12, 2024, sent from R. Daniel Mackay, Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, at PARKS, and its accompanying materials, including the National and State Registers Criteria for Evaluation, Frequently Asked Questions About the State and National Registers of Historic Places in New York State, and the draft National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet documenting the significance of Firebrand Books, 141-143 East State Street, and WHEREAS, of the four National Register Criteria for Evaluation, the significance of Firebrand Books as it relates to the Ithaca Downtown Historic District is being considered under criterion A, which states: A. Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history, and Approved on: September 17, 2024 WHEREAS, as the significance derived from the district’s association with Firebrand Books occurred within the past 50 years, it is also being considered under Criteria Consideration G, which states: G. a property achieving significance within the past 50 years if it is of exceptional importance, and WHEREAS, the ILPC concurs that the Ithaca Downtown Historic District derives significance under Criteria A, specifically social history, LBGT and social history, and women’s history, for its association with Firebrand Books at 141-143 East State Street, noting the following summary from the Ithaca Downtown Historic District: Additional Information: The Ithaca Downtown Historic District is significant under Criterion A and Criterion Consideration G in the areas of Social History, LBGTQ and Women’s History for its association with Firebrand Books, a multiple award-winning lesbian and feminist publishing house. Firebrand, which had its headquarters on the second floor of the building at 141-143 East State Street, in the heart of the historic district, was founded by activist, editor and publisher Nancy K Bereano in 1984 and become a nationally recognized leader of the publishing revolution that occurred during the Second Wave Feminist, Women in Print, and lesbian and gay movements of the 1970s and 1980s. The press produced work in a wide variety of genres by ethnically and racially diverse authors, including Dorothy Allison, Alison Bechdel, Cheryl Clarke, Leslie Feinberg, Jewelle Gomez, Audre Lorde, and Minnie Bruce Pratt. WHEREAS, the ILPC also concurs that the significance of the Ithaca Downtown Historic District derived from its association with Firebrand Books meets Criteria Consideration G, noting the following summary from the Ithaca Downtown Historic District: Additional Documentation: Firebrand Books meets criteria consideration G in the areas of social history, LGBT and Social history, and women’s history for its exceptional significance as a nationally recognized leader in the revolution in print culture that occurred as part of the Second Wave Feminist, Women in Print, and lesbian and gay (LGBTQ) movements. Found by renowned publisher and activist Nancy K. Bereano, Firebrand is widely recognized by scholars as one of the earliest and most prestigious lesbian, gay, and feminist publishers of the 1980s and 1990s. The press was among the first to publish the work of important lesbian, trans, and queer artists, including Leslie Feinberg, author of Stone Butch Blues, one of the earliest and most influential books addressing the complexities of gender. Other important artists and books include Alison Bechdel’s comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For, Audre Lorde’s A Burst of Light, Minnie Bruce Pratt’s Crime Against Approved on: September 17, 2024 Nature, and Dorothy Allison’s Trash. These books and artists had a tremendous influence on literary and popular culture, which is evidenced by the press’s numerous awards. Operating for 16 years, Firebrand Books is also rare for its unusual longevity within the context of other small women’s presses, most of which lasted two to five years. During its time in business, its books won more Lambda Literary Awards than those of any other press, and many of its titles are now considered to be classics of LGBT literature, studied and taught in academic settings. A number of the authors continue to publish, now with major publishing houses. Today, Firebrand Books’ records are housed in Cornell University’s Division of Rare and Manuscripts Collections Human Sexuality Collection. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the ILPC finds that the documentation on Firebrand Books presented in the draft National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet meets criteria for inclusion in the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places, and be it further RESOLVED, that the ILPC recommends adding additional significance in the areas of Social History, LBGT and Social History and Women’s History to the Ithaca Downtown Historic District for its association with Firebrand Books, 141-143 East State Street. RECORD OF VOTE: Moved by: K. Olson Seconded by: A. Smith In Favor: S. Gibian, E. Finegan, K. Olson, A. Smith Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: D. Kramer, J. Smith, S. Stein Vacancies: 0 IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. The May 21, 2024, meeting minutes were approved without modifications. B. The June 18, 2024, meeting minutes were approved without modifications. V. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by S. Gibian, seconded by K. Olson, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bryan McCracken, Historic Preservation Planner