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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2009-12-10Approved by ILPC - 06/08/10 1 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission Minutes - December 10, 2009 Present: Alphonse Pieper, Chair Nancy Brcak Susan Jones David Kramer Sylvia Newman Lynn Truame Susan Stein Mary Tomlan, Common Council Liaison Leslie Staff, Staff Danielle Henbest, Staff Chair A. Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. I. PUBLIC HEARING None II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR A. Administrative Matters 1. Introduction of new members B. Communications C. Public comment on matters of interest III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 16, 2009 On a motion by L.Truame, seconded by S. Stein, the minutes from the November 16, 2009 meeting were approved unanimously without correction. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. 423 Lincoln Street, Cornell Pottery Site, Local Landmark – proposal to repair and expand entrance stair and deck on the east façade and to construct a shed roof above first story windows across the south façade. Property owner Robert Terry was present to address the Commission. Staff reminded the Commission that, at the November 2009 meeting, they approved a roof on the east side of the house with the condition that the applicant provide dimensioned drawings of the proposed roof for review and approval by the ILPC. R. Terry distributed additional information regarding the proposed roofs on the front and rear of the house. He stated that water damage and protection of the house (particularly the deck, stairs, and entries to both apartments) are major concerns. He added that it is currently dangerous for his tenants to live there. A. Pieper reminded the Commission they already approved the deck expansion. Details of that roof are to be determined. The focus of this meeting is the proposed roofs over the front and rear entries of the building. ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -2- R. Terry stated that he may want to install metal roofs. Staff responded that the Commission will be voting on his proposal for shingled roofs tonight, but if he would like to come back for approval of a metal finish, he may do so at a later date. L. Truame suggested that the applicant work directly with staff to select the finish of the roofs. N. Brcak stated that she would be more comfortable voting if the details of the roof pitch could be specified. Staff noted that once R. Terry has discussed the pitch of the roof with his contractor, she will email the details to Commission members for their feedback. M. Tomlan asked about drainage systems. R. Terry will be replacing all the gutters in- kind, but the new gutters will drain to the back of the house instead of the front. D. Kramer noted that the existing gutters are rectangular; if they are going to be replaced, they should be replaced with half-round gutters. Resolution RA-1: Proposal to construct a roof across the south side of the structure RESOLUTION: Moved by S. Jones, seconded by L. Truame 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 addition of a roof across the south side (rear) of the structure, 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 photocopied photographs showing the truck accident that has damaged the existing deck, and ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -3- 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 Monday, 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 the sketch of the south side, the proposal involves the construction of a shed roof between the first and second stories, projecting approximately 5 feet from the building to cover the adjacent concrete walk. The proposed roof will be supported by four 4”x 4” wood posts. The primary purpose of the proposal is to cover the south entrance to the building. 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 228-4E (1)(a) of the Municipal Code. In making this determination the Commission is guided by the ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -4- 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 proposed addition of a roof between the first and second stories projecting approximately 5’ from the rear wall existing deck will not remove historic materials of alter features and spaces that characterize the property. With respect to Standard #9, the new work will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property and, as shown on the sketch of the proposal, the new work will be differentiated from the old. Supported on four 4” x 4” posts, the proposed roof structure will be “open” and will be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. The proposal 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: - Staff shall work with the applicant to determine details of the roof pitch. RECORD OF VOTE: Yes A. Pieper, Chair N. Brcak S. Jones No 0 Abstain 0 ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -5- D. Kramer S. Stein S. Sheret Newman L. Truame Resolution RA-2: Proposal to construct a roof across the north side of the structure RESOLUTION: Moved by L. Truame, seconded by N. Brack 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 addition of a roof across the north side (front) of the structure, 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 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 Monday, November 16th, 2009, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -6- 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 the sketch of the north side, the proposal involves the construction of a shed roof between the first and second stories, projecting approximately 5.5 feet from the building to cover the adjacent concrete walk. The proposed roof will be supported by four 4”x 4” wood posts and a railing across the front of the proposed deck. The primary purpose of the proposal is to cover the north entrance to the building. 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 228-4E (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 ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -7- 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 proposed addition of a roof between the first and second stories projecting approximately 5.5’ from the front façade will not remove historic materials or alter features and spaces that characterize the property. With respect to Standard #9, the new work will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property and, as shown on the sketch of the proposal, the new work will be differentiated from the old. The proposed roof structure will be “open” and will be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. The proposal 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 landmark, 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: - Staff shall work with the applicant to determine details of the roof pitch. - The applicant shall provide a detailed drawing of the front railing. RECORD OF VOTE: Yes A. Pieper, Chair N. Brcak S. Jones S. Stein L. Truame No 0 Abstain 0 B. 110 East Court Street, DeWitt Park Historic District – proposal to replace brick front stoop, proposal to replace roof sheathing and proposal to replace windows. ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -8- Jim Henery, Chuck Broadhead, and Frank Brockway were present to address the Commission regarding the proposal. Staff explained that the proposal was not submitted in time to advertise a public hearing for this meeting, but the applicants wanted to discuss their proposal with the Commission. They will return next month for a public hearing and possible vote on their proposal C. Broadhead presented a sample of the proposed roof. Staff asked if they would consider an architectural style shingle as opposed to the proposed steel shingle. C. C. Broadhead said that the steel would last longer than the architectural shingle. Staff responded the architectural shingle would likely draw less attention to the replacement roof. D. Kramer asked whether the current metal roof has been on there long enough to maintain a historic significance of its own. L. Truame said that the proposed shingle is not appropriate because the materials calls too much attention to the non-historic material and is not as compatible as other shingles. A metal shingle in copper from a different vendor would be a more appropriate replacement. The applicants noted a concern about the cost difference. They believed that a metal roof was required because the original roof had been wood shingle, which is no longer available. Chair A. Pieper asked if the Commission would be agreeable to either a metal or an architectural shingle. The majority said they were open to either option. Staff said if the applicants wanted to propose an architectural style shingle or a copper colored metal shingle, it could be considered by the Commission next month. C. Broadhead brought a sample of the proposed vinyl replacement window. Chair A. Pieper explained that the windows would need to have an element of wood and that vinyl windows are not usually approved by the Commission. J. Henery said that he would rather not repair the existing windows but replace them for energy savings. Staff explained the disadvantages of the vinyl windows and explained the benefits of wood windows. Staff suggested that the applicants talk to some local window repair experts to see if it is worth repairing the windows. Chair A. Pieper stated that the windows are in a deteriorated condition due, in part, to a lack of maintenance. Over time it is more cost effective to repair the existing windows than to replace them. The applicants will return to the Commission with proposals for the roof replacement and window repair and/or replacement. V. NEW BUSINESS A. City of Ithaca Boards and Committee’s Questionnaire – discussion ILPC Minutes December 10, 2009 -9- The Commission discussed a questionnaire from the City regarding the work of boards and committees. Chair A. Pieper will complete the questionnaire on behalf of the ILPC. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. by Chair A. Pieper. Respectfully Submitted, Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission