Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2013-07-09Approved by ILPC: 8/13/13 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) Minutes – July 9, 2013 Present: Sue Stein, Chair Ed Finegan, Vice Chair Christine O’Malley Stephen Gibian David Kramer Ashima Krishna Megan Wilson, Staff Charles Pyott, Staff Chair Stein called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. I. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Lincoln Hall, Cornell Arts Quad Historic District ― Proposal to Add Gutters Applicant Sara Niechwiadowicz, Cornell University Facilities Project Coordinator, recapitulated the salient details of the proposed alterations. She explained that issues had been discovered with the back and south sides of the building and it was deemed best to add gutters to prevent further deterioration. The proposed gutters would be installed at the northwest and southwest entrances; they would be made of lead-coated copper, with stainless steel accessories. Niechwiadowicz further explained that, over the last 30-40 years, rainwater run-off and algae had built up in large amounts on the façade. (In fact, the foundation itself has also been gradually eroding, so the next proposed project would be to repair the foundation.) E. Finegan asked if there had ever been any gutters in the proposed locations. Niechwiadowicz replied, no, she does not believe so. S. Gibian noted that, from the size of gutter, it appears it would protrude over the existing stonework. Niechwiadowicz replied the height of gutter is actually only about 4 inches. S. Gibian remarked that it seems the proposed alterations would preserve the building, so he can see not reason not to approve them. D. Kramer and C. O’Malley both agreed. S. Niechwiadowicz indicated that the applicant also has the option of taking the downspouts out, if that would be considered more appropriate. S. Gibian remarked that he would recommend the applicant consider scaling down gutters slightly, to better fit the scale of the entrance porches. Public Hearing On a motion by S. Gibian, seconded by C. O’Malley, S. Stein opened the public hearing. There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed on a motion by D. Kramer, seconded by E. Finegan. 1 of 5 ILPC Minutes July 9, 2013 RESOLUTION: Moved by A. Krishna, seconded by C. O’Malley. WHEREAS, Lincoln Hall is located within the Cornell Arts Quad Historic District, as designated under Section 228-3 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code in 1990, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-5 of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, dated June 24, 2013, was submitted for review to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by Sara Niechwiadowicz on behalf of property owner Cornell University, including the following: (1) two narratives respectively titled Description of Proposed Change(s) and Reasons for Changes(s); (2) seven sheets of photographs showing the location of the proposed new gutters; and (3) a drawing of the new gutters in cross section, showing dimensions, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form for Lincoln Hall, and the City of Ithaca’s Cornell Arts Quad Historic District Summary Statement, and WHEREAS, as stated in the narrative Description of Proposed Change(s), the project involves the addition of lead-coated copper gutters at the north and south roof edges of the two west entrances to Lincoln Hall, which will match existing gutters located elsewhere on the building and will tie in to existing downspouts adjacent to these two entrances, 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 a Certificate of Appropriateness was conducted at the regularly scheduled ILPC meeting on July 9, 2013, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: The period of significance for the area now known as the Cornell Arts Quad is identified in the City of Ithaca’s Cornell Arts Quad Historic District Summary Significance Statement as 1868-1919. As indicated in the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form, Lincoln Hall was constructed in 1888 and was designed by first professor of architecture, Charles Babcock. Originally housing the Schools of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Lincoln Hall has housed the School of Music, since 1961. 2 of 5 ILPC Minutes July 9, 2013 Constructed within the period of significance of the Cornell Arts Quad Historic District and possessing a high level of integrity, the property is a contributing element of the Cornell Arts Quad Historic District. 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 228-5 of the Municipal Code. In making this determination, the Commission is guided by the principles set forth in Section 228-5B of the Municipal Code, as further elaborated in Section 228-5C, 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. 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. Standard #10 New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired. With respect to Principle #2, Standard #2, and Standard #9, the addition of lead-coated copper gutters in the proposed locations will not remove distinctive materials and will not alter features and spaces that characterize the property. Also with respect to Principle #2 and Standard #9, the proposed new gutters, which are of the same size, shape, design, and materials as existing gutters located elsewhere on the building are compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the property and its environment. 3 of 5 ILPC Minutes July 9, 2013 With respect to Standard #10, the proposed gutters can be removed in the future without impairment of the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment. 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 Arts Quad Historic District, as set forth in Section 228-5, and be it further, RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission determines that the proposal meets criteria for approval under Section 228-5 of the Municipal Code, and be it further RESOLVED, that the ILPC approves the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. RECORD OF VOTE: 6-0-0 Yes S. Stein E. Finegan C. O’Malley S. Gibian D. Kramer A. Krishna No Abstain B. 220 Eddy Street, East Hill Historic District ― Proposal to Remove Stone Sidewalk The applicant was not present to review the proposed alterations with the Commission. S. Gibian noted he did not see the Public Hearing notification sign posted anywhere on the property, as required; and he added he does not believe the application is complete. E. Finegan agreed with S. Gibian that the application is not complete enough for making any kind of decision. M. Wilson indicated that there is probably no way the Commission can proceed in its review, at this time, given that the applicant has not posted the required notification signs on the property. In addition, the consensus of the Commission appears to be that the application materials are incomplete. As a result, the Commission should defer its consideration of the application, until its next meeting. S. Gibian observed that it was also unclear to him where the south property line is located, from the application materials. Public Hearing On a motion by C. O’Malley, seconded by E. Finegan, S. Stein opened the public hearing. There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed on a motion by E. Finegan, seconded by D. Kramer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST • None 4 of 5 ILPC Minutes July 9, 2013 III. OLD BUSINESS • None IV. NEW BUSINESS • Landmarks Ordinance Revisions ― Discussion The Commission had several questions about the proposed changes that could not be answered in the absence of the Historic Preservation Planner. Further discussion was tabled until the August meeting. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES As moved by S. Gibian, and seconded by D. Kramer, Commission members unanimously approved the following meeting minutes, with no modifications. • June 11, 2013 (Regular Meeting) As moved by E. Finegan, and seconded by D. Kramer, Commission members unanimously approved the following meeting minutes, with no modifications. • June 19, 2013 (Special Meeting) VI. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS • None VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 6:10 p.m. by Chair S. Stein. Respectfully Submitted, Lynn Truame, Historic Preservation Planner Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission 5 of 5