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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2009-11-16 1 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission Approved by ILPC Minutes - November 16, 2009 12/10/09 Present: Alphonse Pieper, Chair Nancy Brcak Susan Jones Susan Stein Mary Tomlan, Common Council Liaison Leslie Chatterton, Staff Megan Gilbert, Staff Chair A. Pieper called the meeting to order at 6:57 pm and read the legal notice for the public hearings. Since no representative was present for the 110 East Court Street application, the agenda was rearranged to review 423 Lincoln Street application first. I. PUBLIC HEARING B. 423 Lincoln Street, Cornell Pottery Site, Local Landmark – proposal to repair and expand entrance stair and deck on the east façade and proposal to construct a shed roof above first story windows across the south façade Property owner Bob Terry was present to address the Commission. He explained that a truck backing down Lake Street jack-knifed and collided with the deck on the second story. He needs to replace the 2nd story deck and but would like to add a roof to this deck while he is doing the work. It is difficult to keep the deck free of snow and ice in the winter as snowplows on Lake Street push the snow onto the deck. He would like to expand the deck by about four feet on each side to make it easier for tenants to move furniture in and out and to create more outdoor seating area for his tenants. Because the property line is at the building footprint on the east and north sides and the City owns the adjacent lands, the applicant will need to go to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Board of Public Works to settle easement and encroachment issues . He would also like to add a shallow-pitched roof above the first floor to the back of the house. A third proposed alteration is the addition of a roof over the front door and stoop. Not under review at this time, the applicant is requesting some feedback from the Commission. N. Brcak asked if the property owner had considered restoring the earlier appearance of the building including a second story porch on the north (front) façade, depicted in an historic images included with the submitted documentation. B. Terry responded that he had considered it but was not sure whether at the present time he wanted to take on this expense or the negotiations with the City over the further encroachment this option would entail. M. Tomlan noted that the photo caption indicates that the porch was in place prior to the 1976 rehabilitation and that it is not known when the depicted porch was added. . S. Stein said she could support a roof in the back but not in the front because the building currently has its 1840 appearance and a front roof would change this character. A. Pieper said he could support a roof in the front but it would depend on the design. ILPC Minutes November 16, 2009 -2- The new deck design would replace the lattice between the top and bottom rails deck handrail and install a 1”x2” spindles approximately three inches apart to meet building code. The roof would connect with the building just below the existing roof. The new roof would have the highest pitch allowed by code to allow visibility and open air. N. Brcak stated that she would like to see dimensioned drawings of the proposed roofs for the east and south facades, and other Commission members agreed. Chair A. Pieper noted that while the Commission is willing to consider roofs in these locations, more information on the designs is needed before approval can be given. Public Hearing On a motion by S. Stein, seconded by N. Brcak, Chair A. Pieper opened the public hearing. There being no one to address the Commission, the public hearing was closed on a motion by S. Stein, seconded by S. Jones. Resolution RB-1 RESOLUTION: Moved by S. Jones, seconded by S. Stein WHEREAS, 423 East Lincoln St., the Cornell Pottery Site is a designated local landmark as provided for in Section 228-3 and 228-4 of the Municipal Code, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4(E) of the Municipal Code, an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness was submitted by property owner Robert Terry for review by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission, (ILPC), and WHEREAS, the action under consideration is the repair and expansion of an existing exterior stairway and deck on the east side of the structure and construction of a roof over said deck, and WHEREAS, the project 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 ILPC has reviewed the submitted documentation dated November 12, 2009, including a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted by Robert Terry with a narrative description of the proposal, three sketches showing the east, north, and south sides of the building with proposed alterations, a photocopied page of an Old House Journal article showing historic views of the structure, another photocopied page from an undocumented report showing an historic view of the property and ILPC Minutes November 16, 2009 -3- photocopied photographs showing the truck accident that has damaged the existing deck, 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 a Certificate of Appropriateness was conducted at the ILPC meeting on November 16th, 2009, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: The period of significance for the Cornell Pottery Site is c. 1840 – 1890 during which time the building housed a succession of pottery businesses. Constructed c. 1840, the building reflects its industrial function as a pottery workspace and warehouse. Converted to residential use after 1890, the building was fully rehabilitated in 1976 and the exterior restored to its 1840 appearance. Despite window and door replacement since 1976 the building retains sufficient integrity to reflect its historic and architectural significance. As addressed in the narrative dated November 12, 2009, and shown on a sketch of the east side accompanying the narrative, the proposal involves the repair of the existing stairway and deck, expansion of the deck by approximately 4’ on the north and south ends, construction of a roof over the existing portion of the deck, and replacement of lattice between the top rail and bottom of the railing with 1” x 2” uprights spaced roughly 3” apart. The primary purpose of the proposal is to repair damage caused by a truck accident and in the process increase useable space for tenants and provide additional protection from the weather. 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 ILPC Minutes November 16, 2009 -4- proposed change is consistent with the historic value and the spirit of the architectural style of the landmark or district in accordance with Section 228-4E (1)(a) of the Municipal Code. In making this determination the Commission is guided by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and in this case specifically the following Standards: #2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided. #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 Standard #2, the existing deck is not an historic feature. With respect to Standard #9, the new work will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property and the new work will be differentiated from the old. The proposed addition of the four feet on either end of the deck and replacement of the lattice will be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment and is in keeping with Standard #9. WHEREAS, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance of this local landmarks, as set forth in Section 228-4E(1)(a), now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission determines that the proposal meets criteria for approval under Section 228-4E (1)(a) of the Municipal Code, and be it further RESOLVED, that the ILPC approves the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the following conditions: The applicant shall submit a dimensioned drawing showing details of roof construction for review and approval. The applicant shall submit details of the railing design for review and approval by staff. ILPC Minutes November 16, 2009 -5- RECORD OF VOTE: Carried 4-0-0 Yes A. Pieper, Chair N. Brcak S. Jones S. Stein No 0 Abstain 0 The Commission and the applicant agreed to table the proposal to construct a shed roof above first story windows across the south façade until the applicant provides additional information about the details of the proposed roof. A. 110 East Court Street, DeWitt Park Historic District – proposal to replace brick front stoop, proposal to replace roof sheathing, and proposal to replace windows No one was present to address the Commission regarding the proposal. Staff reported that several attempts have been made to contact the property owner, the First Presbyterian Church and its facilities maintenance staff Jim Dupay, for additional information about this application. The church has not provided additional information and has not responded directly to a staff inquiry about whether they wanted to continue with the application. The church did submit a new application dated November 11, 2009 with a revised description of the treatment of the front stoop. Commission members discussed the proposal. The proposal involves the replacement of the existing metal roof with another metal roofing product. It was noted that based on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps the original roof was likely wood shingles. Some members indicated that architectural style fiberglass shingles could be and appropriate choice. The existing front steps will be replaced with brick risers and blue stone treads. N. Brcak stated that she thinks a metal roof should have the appearance of a metal roof rather than the “slate-like” appearance of the proposed product. Commission members questioned how this proposed product compares to the existing roof and what other roofing products could be used. Commission members felt it was difficult to make a decision without a sample of the proposed roofing product and without a representative of the applicant present to answer questions. The application was tabled until the applicant provides more information about the proposal. ILPC Minutes November 16, 2009 -6- II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR A. Administrative Matters 1. Follow-up on ILPC denial of the Ithaca City School District’s (ICSD) application to demolish the former Ithaca Gas Works. Staff reported that there is not much follow- up other than the school district’s argument that it is not subject to local law including both zoning and historic preservation regulations. The City is not sure on what basis they are making this assertion and is still not convinced that this argument is correct. SHPO has determined that the building is eligible for listing on the National Register but has signed off on the demolition of the building. The ICSD has four months to challenge the Commissions decision and this period should expire in January. 2. Status of member recruitment Two individuals have submitted their applications for membership. The Mayor will review the applications and possibly appoint the new members at the December Common Council meeting. If appointed, the new members will be on the Commission for the December meeting of the ILPC. B. Communications None C. Public Comment on Matters of Interest None III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None IV. OLD BUSINESS None V. NEW BUSINESS None VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. by Chair A. Pieper. Respectfully Submitted, Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission