HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2012-04-10Approved by ILPC – 5/8/12
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC)
Minutes – April 10, 2012
Present:
Susan Stein, Chair
Christine O’Malley
Stephen Gibian
Ed Finegan, Vice-Chair
Michael McGandy
David Kramer
Lynn Truame, Staff
Charles Pyott, Staff
Chair Stein called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and read the legal notice for the public hearings.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. 112-114 Ferris Place, East Hill Historic District ― Proposal to Demolish Rear Porch & Infill
Associated Doors
Applicant Jose Guisado recapitulated the salient details of the proposed project.
E. Finegan asked if the applicant intends to reconstruct the foundation in the rear, at some point in the
future. J. Guisado replied, no. Although there are some structural concerns associated with the
foundation, this would be considered a long-term maintenance issue. A structural assessment would be
performed after the porch is removed.
S. Stein observed that the proposed changes do not appear to be very visible to the public. L. Truame
added that she examined the site in person and could not in fact determine that they would be visible
from any angle at all.
D. Kramer stated that he had not been able to attend the site visit that was scheduled to view the doors
from the interior of the building and asked whether the door openings were, in fact, original. J. Guisado
responded that they were not. M. McGandy stated that he had attended the site visit and observed that
the threshold of the door opening in the unit that was visited did appear to be original (or, at best, it is
unclear).
E. Finegan noted that the rear elevation of the building is quite symmetrical and that its design would
seem to indicate that the door openings are not original, but that a window opening had once existed in
the lower level north unit where a door now exists. J. Guisado indicated agreement with this assessment
and stated that he would be willing to replace that door with a window that matches the adjacent
windows.
Public Hearing
On a motion by D. Kramer, seconded by E. Finegan, S. Stein opened the public hearing. There being no
public comments, the public hearing was closed on a motion by M. McGandy, seconded by D. Kramer.
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RESOLUTION RA-1: Moved by S. Gibian, seconded by D. Kramer.
WHEREAS, 112-114 Ferris Place is located in the East Hill Historic District, as designated under
Sections 228-3 and 228-4 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code in 1988, and as listed on
the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1986, and
WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4(E) of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness, dated March 27, 2012, was submitted for review to the Ithaca
Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by Jose Guisado on behalf of property
owner Veena Masand, including the following: (1) a narrative titled Description of
Proposed Change(s); (2) four architectural drawings, numbered A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4,
and dated February 24, 2012, showing the proposed alterations to the building, and
WHEREAS, the ILPC has also reviewed the annotated property list entry for 112-114 Ferris Place
from the East Hill Historic District nomination, two continuation sheet photographs of
the building, dated 1992, and the City of Ithaca’s East Hill Historic District Summary
Statement, and
WHEREAS, as stated in the narrative Description of Proposed Change(s), the project involves removal
of a two-story, non-original porch, located on the rear elevation of the subject property,
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
April 10, 2012, 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 East Hill Historic District Summary Statement, the
period of significance for the area now known as the East Hill Historic District is 1830-
1932.
As indicated in the annotated property list entry for 112-114 Ferris Place, the building
was constructed circa 1905 and is an early twentieth century vernacular duplex. The
porch in question is located on the rear of the building, overlooking a very steep, wooded
slope down to the sheer drop-off of Six Mile Creek gorge.
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Constructed within the period of significance of the East Hill Historic District and
possessing a high level of integrity, the property is a contributing element of the East Hill
Historic District.
The purpose of the proposal is to remove a dilapidated two-story porch.
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 will be retained and preserved. The
removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features and spaces that
characterize a property will be avoided.
#6 Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. When the
severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new
feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities, and
where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated
by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
With respect to Standard #2, the existing porch is not original to the building. Its removal
will not alter features and spaces that characterize the property.
With respect to Standard #6, as noted above with regard to Standard #2, the rear porch is
not a deteriorated historic feature that characterizes the property.
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 112-114 Ferris
Place and the East Hill Historic District, as set forth in Section 228-4E(1)(a), and be it
further,
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.
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RECORD OF VOTE: 6-0-0
Yes
S. Gibian
D. Kramer
E. Finegan
M. McGandy
C. O’Malley
S. Stein
No
Abstain
RESOLUTION RA-2: Moved by E. Finegan, seconded by M. McGandy.
WHEREAS, 112-114 Ferris Place is located in the East Hill Historic District, as designated under
Sections 228-3 and 228-4 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code in 1988, and as listed on
the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1986, and
WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4(E) of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness, dated March 27, 2012, was submitted for review to the Ithaca
Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by Jose Guisado on behalf of property
owner Veena Masand, including the following: (1) a narrative titled Description of
Proposed Change(s); (2) four architectural drawings, numbered A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4,
and dated February 24, 2012, showing the proposed alterations to the building, and
WHEREAS, the ILPC has also reviewed the annotated property list entry for 112-114 Ferris Place
from the East Hill Historic District nomination, two continuation sheet photographs of
the building, dated 1992, and the City of Ithaca’s East Hill Historic District Summary
Statement, and
WHEREAS, as stated in the narrative Description of Proposed Change(s), the project involves removal
and infilling of the entry doors associated with a porch that is proposed for removal, all of
which are located on the rear elevation of the subject property, 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
April 10, 2012, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the
proposal:
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As identified in the City of Ithaca’s East Hill Historic District Summary Statement, the
period of significance for the area now known as the East Hill Historic District is 1830-
1932.
As indicated in the annotated property list entry for 112-114 Ferris Place, the building
was constructed circa 1905 and is an early twentieth century vernacular duplex. The
doors in question provide access to a porch that is located on the rear of the building,
overlooking a very steep, wooded slope down to the sheer drop-off of Six Mile Creek
gorge.
Constructed within the period of significance of the East Hill Historic District and
possessing a high level of integrity, the property is a contributing element of the East Hill
Historic District.
The purpose of the proposal is to remove and infill the entry doors associated with a
deteriorated porch that is proposed for removal.
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 will be retained and preserved. The
removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features and spaces that
characterize a property will be avoided.
#6 Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. When the
severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new
feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities, and
where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated
by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
With respect to Standard #2, the porch entry doors do not appear to be original to the
building. Because of their location and the unique characteristics of the site, these doors
are readily visible only from the interior of the building itself. Their removal will not
remove distinctive historic materials that characterize the property and will not alter
features and spaces that characterize the property.
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With respect to Standard #6, as noted above with regard to Standard #2, the porch entry
doors are not deteriorated historic features that characterize the property.
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 112-114 Ferris
Place and the East Hill Historic District, as set forth in Section 228-4E(1)(a), and be it
further,
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 condition:
The door to the lower-level, north unit will not be in-filled and sided, as will the
other doors. Instead, this door will be replaced with a window that matches the
adjacent windows in size and style. Staff approval of the selected window is
required.
RECORD OF VOTE: 6-0-0
Yes
E. Finegan
M. McGandy
S. Gibian
D. Kramer
C. O’Malley
S. Stein
No
Abstain
B. 308 N. Cayuga St, Dewitt Park Historic District ― Proposal to Replace Windows & Add
Skylight
Applicant Nancy Medsker (accompanied by co-applicant Tom Seaney) recapitulated the salient details
of the proposed project and distributed an additional drawing of the proposed changes.
E. Finegan asked if there were any other alternatives to altering the original 9-over-6 windows on the
rear lower level, to which N. Medsker replied that the only other idea she had come up with would be to
create a new frame for one of those windows so that it would continue to appear to be a double-hung,
but would open as a casement. She is uncertain if City Code would permit this approach.
L. Truame stated that another possibility she had discussed with the applicant would be to alter only one
of the windows for egress. This would satisfy code requirements, but would result in a lack of
symmetry between the two windows which the applicant found undesirable.
S. Gibian agreed that these two early windows should be preserved, if at all possible, to which D.
Kramer agreed.
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N. Medsker proposed another approach to providing egress from that room that would preserve the two
windows in question: installing a new egress window on the north-facing side wall of the rear shed
addition. There was unanimous agreement from the Commission that this approach would be
preferable.
L. Truame indicated that rather than attempt to alter the proposal on the floor to reflect this change, the
applicant could explore the issue further and return to the Commission with a firm proposal at the next
ILPC meeting.
After some discussion it was agreed that the ILPC could approve the new side-wall window in concept,
with final details of placement and window type to be approved by staff.
D. Kramer asked the applicant why she needs to replace the small six-light fixed window in the gable
peak, to which N. Medsker replied she does not actually need to do that, on further consideration.
S. Gibian pointed out that he did not believe casement and slider windows were available in the
Andersen Woodwright series. N. Medsker indicated that if that were the case she would find another
manufacturer. It is her intention to use custom wood windows that replicate the appearance of the
existing original windows in the building.
Public Hearing
On a motion by C. O’Malley, seconded by D. Kramer, S. Stein opened the public hearing. There being
no public comments, the public hearing was closed on a motion by E. Finegan, seconded by M.
McGandy.
RESOLUTION RB: Moved by M. McGandy, seconded by D. Kramer.
WHEREAS, 308 North Cayuga Street is located in the DeWitt Park Historic District, as designated
under Sections 228-3 and 228-4 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(E) of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness, dated March 26, 2012, was submitted for review to the Ithaca
Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by property owner Nancy Medsker,
including the following: (1) two narratives respectively titled Description of Proposed
Change(s) and Reasons for Changes(s); (2) photographs showing the windows that would
be affected by the proposal; (3) product literature for the proposed Andersen Woodwright
replacement windows; and (4) product literature for the proposed Fakro fixed skylight,
and
WHEREAS, the ILPC has also reviewed the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form for
308 North Cayuga Street, and the City of Ithaca’s DeWitt Park Historic District Summary
Statement, and
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WHEREAS, as originally described in the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the
proposed project involved replacement of: four existing, non-original sunroom windows
with Andersen Woodwright slider windows, maintaining the eight-light arrangement of
each window; replacement of two original, nine-over-six double-hung windows at the
first floor rear of the house with Andersen Woodwright casement windows, maintaining
the 15-light arrangement of each window; replacement of two non-original jalousie
windows at the second floor rear of the house with Andersen Woodwright casement
windows, each with six lights; replacement of a single, fixed, six-light window in the
gable peak at the rear of the building with an Andersen Woodwright fixed window with
six lights; and installation of a fixed skylight on the lower shed roof at the rear of the
building, and
WHEREAS, at the ILPC meeting on April 10, 2012, the applicant proposed the following revisions to
the project, with all other aspects of the project remaining as described above: (1) a
skylight will not be installed; (2) the two original, nine-over-six double-hung windows at
the first floor rear of the house will be retained and restored; (3) a new wood casement-
style multi-light egress window will be installed in the north wall of the rear shed-roofed
addition; (4) and the single, fixed, six-light window in the gable peak at the rear of the
building will be retained and restored, 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 April 10,
2012, 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 DeWitt Park Historic District Summary Statement,
the period of significance for the area now known as the DeWitt Park Historic District is
identified as 1820-1930.
As indicated in the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form, 308 North
Cayuga Street, also known as the Beebe-Halsey House, was constructed in 1820 by
prominent local businessman, Jeremiah Beebe. It is one of the oldest extant structures in
the City of Ithaca and one of the few remaining Federal style buildings. In 1850, the
house was sold to another prominent local businessman, William Halsey, who added the
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south wing. Pictorial evidence appears to suggest the north wing was added sometime
after 1895.
Constructed within the period of significance of the DeWitt Park Historic District and
possessing an unusually high level of architectural integrity, the property is a contributing
element of the DeWitt Park Historic District.
As described in the Certificate of Appropriateness Application, the purpose of the
proposal is to meet egress requirements for rooms within the house that are being
converted to bedrooms.
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 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 replacement of the four existing, non-original sunroom
windows and the two non-original jalousie windows will not remove distinctive historic
materials that characterize the property and will not alter features that characterize the
property.
With respect to Standard #9 (as noted above with respect to Standard #2), the
replacement of the four existing, non-original sunroom windows and the two non-original
jalousie windows, and the installation of a new wood casement-style multi-light egress
window at the north wall of the rear shed-roofed addition will not destroy distinctive
historic materials that characterize the property.
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Again with respect to Standard #9, the Andersen Woodwright windows that are proposed
as replacements for the four existing, non-original sunroom windows, the two non-
original jalousie windows, and the new casement-style multi-light egress window at the
north wall of the rear shed-roofed addition are differentiated from the old and are
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 308 North Cayuga Street
and the DeWitt Park Historic District as set forth in Section 228-4E(1)(a), and be it
further
RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission determines that the proposal meets
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 condition(s):
Final approval by ILPC staff of the selected replacement windows, including
manufacturer and style/model, is required. In the event Andersen Woodwright
windows are not available in the selected styles (casement and slider), wood
windows by a different manufacturer may be submitted for staff approval.
RECORD OF VOTE: 6-0-0
Yes
M. McGandy
D. Kramer
S. Gibian
E. Finegan
C. O’Malley
S. Stein
No
Abstain
C. 210 Thurston Avenue, Cornell Heights Historic District ― Proposal to Demolish Shed, Alter
Front Porch & Regrade Site to Accommodate Accessible Entrance, Install New Stone Pathway &
Site Lighting, Remove Foyer Enclosure, & Replace Front Door
Applicant Phillip Albrecht (accompanied by owners Steve and Katherine Realbuto) recapitulated the
salient details of the proposed project. P. Albrecht indicated that, since the last time the applicant came
before the Commission (February 2012), the applicant was able to conclude the front porch enclosure is
in fact relatively recent (as reflected in some photographs obtained from Historic Ithaca) and that the
original porch columns, no longer extant, were paired.
S. Gibian indicated that he would like to re-establish the symmetry of the sidelights in the front, which
P. Albrecht agreed to do. M. McGandy agreed that having narrower sidelights on each side of the door,
rather than a single, wider sidelight on one side, would be more appropriate.
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Public Hearing
On a motion by M. McGandy, seconded by D. Kramer, 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.
RESOLUTION RC: Moved by C. O’Malley, seconded by E. Finegan.
WHEREAS, 210 Thurston Avenue is located within the Cornell Heights Historic District, as
designated under Sections 228-3 and 228-4 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(E) of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness, dated March 29, 2012, was submitted for review to the Ithaca
Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by Phillip Albrecht, on behalf of property
owner Steve Realbuto, including the following: (1) two narratives respectively titled
Description of Proposed Change(s) and Reasons for Changes(s); (2) a letter dated March
27, 2012, summarizing the proposed alterations; (3) photographs labeled “A” through
“F,” showing the shed proposed for demolition, a detail of the existing foyer floor, details
of the existing first floor porch columns, and details of the dining room door; (4) a
drawing titled “L101,” and dated 2/14/12, showing proposed site changes; (5) a drawing
titled “L103,” and dated 3/21/12, showing details of the proposed site changes; (6) a
drawing titled “A201,” and dated 1/19/12, showing revised proposed changes to the rear
elevation; (7) product literature for the Simpson thermal sash with sidelight door; (8)
product literature for the proposed Bike-Stanchions outdoor moderate security bike rack;
and (9) product literature for the proposed Hinckley Lighting brick steplight, and
WHEREAS, subsequent to submission of the application packet, a photograph was discovered, a copy
of which was provided to Commission members at the April 10, 2012 ILPC meeting,
showing the front porch and porch columns in 1954, which shows paired columns and a
central entry, and
WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form for 210
Thurston Avenue, and the City of Ithaca’s Cornell Heights Historic District Summary
Statement, and
WHEREAS, as stated and further described in the narrative Description of Proposed Change(s), the
project as originally proposed involved demolition of a concrete block shed at the
northwest corner of the lot, construction of a dumpster enclosure, installation of a bicycle
rack, alterations to the front entry porch and site grading to provide ADA access, removal
of a non-original foyer enclosure, construction of a stone walkway leading to the restored
central door, installation of stone piers at the edge of this new path to provide walkway
lighting, and replacement of the existing non-original main entry door with a new wood
door and single sidelight, and
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WHEREAS, at the April 10, 2012 ILPC meeting, the applicant proposed to revise their application as
follows (all other elements of the proposed project remaining as described above): (1)
reconstruct paired porch columns, based on submitted pictorial evidence from 1954; (2)
relocate to the existing window opening farthest west on the north (rear) elevation an
egress door that was previously approved to be placed in the existing window opening
that is second farthest west on the same elevation (as depicted on a revised architectural
drawing “A201, Elevations and Stair Well,” submitted at the 4/10/12 ILPC meeting); (3)
eliminate the basement egress window located below this relocated door and instead
install a small basement window as used elsewhere on the building (again as shown on
the above-referenced revised sheet “A201”); and (4) substitute a Simpson wood door
with two sidelights for the originally proposed Simpson wood door with a single
sidelight; 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
April 10, 2012, 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, 210 Thurston
Avenue was constructed in 1907 as an apartment building and was designed by local
architect John Wilgus. The design features elements of the Colonial Revival style.
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.
The purpose of the proposal now before the ILPC is to make various site and structure
changes required by the new (increased) occupancy of the building and restore the
original central configuration of the main entrance.
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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 will be retained and preserved. The
removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features and spaces that
characterize a property will be avoided.
#6 Replacement of missing [historic] features shall be substantiated by
documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
#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.
#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 Standard #2, the removal of the non-original entry foyer, the replacement
of the existing main door with the proposed Simpson wood door with two sidelights, the
demolition of the concrete block shed, the installation of the bike rack, the proposed
revisions to the rear first floor egress door and basement window, and the construction of
the dumpster enclosure, as proposed, will not remove distinctive historic materials and
will not alter features and spaces that characterize the property.
With respect to Standard #2, the extension of the front porch decking and regrading of the
site to provide an accessible entrance, as required by code, will not remove distinctive
historic materials and will not alter features and spaces that characterize the property.
With respect to Standard #2, the installation of a new stone walkway with stone piers and
site lighting, as proposed, will not remove distinctive historic materials and will not alter
features and spaces that characterize the property.
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With respect to Standard #6, the presence and appearance of an original front entrance to
the building, including paired porch columns that are no longer extant, have been
substantiated by pictorial evidence.
With respect to Standard #9, the removal of the non-original entry foyer, the replacement
of the existing main door with the proposed Simpson wood door with two sidelights, the
construction of the new stone walkway with stone piers and site lighting, the proposed
revisions to the rear first floor egress door and basement window, the demolition of the
concrete block shed, the installation of the bike rack, the construction of the dumpster
enclosure, the extension of the front porch decking, and regrading of the site to provide
an accessible entrance as required by code, as proposed, will not destroy historic
materials that characterize the property.
Also with respect to Standard #9, the proposed Simpson wood door with two sidelights,
the proposed stone walkway, the proposed stone walkway piers and site lighting, the
proposed extension of the porch decking, the proposed bike rack, and the proposed
dumpster enclosure, are compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural
features of the property and its environment.
With respect to Standard #10, the proposed stone walkway, the proposed stone walkway
piers and site lighting, the proposed extension of the porch decking, the proposed bike
rack, and the proposed dumpster enclosure 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
Heights Historic District, as set forth in Section 228-4E(1)(a), and be it further,
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.
RECORD OF VOTE: 6-0-0
Yes
C. O’Malley
F. Finegan
S. Gibian
D. Kramer
M. McGandy
S. Stein
No
Abstain
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II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR
A. Administrative Matters
(none discussed)
B. Public Comments on Matters of Interest
(none discussed)
C. Communications
(none discussed)
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
As moved by M. McGandy and seconded by D. Kramer, Commission members unanimously approved
the following meeting minutes, with one minor correction:
• March 13, 2012 (Regular Meeting)
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review of Proposed Details for 210 Thurston Ave. Railings (Pending from 2/14/12 Certificate
of Appropriateness Approval)
L. Truame asked the Commission to review the proposed detailing of the railings at the doorwell and the
entry porch.
S. Gibian indicated the railings look more like a 1970s era deck, than a 1906 Colonial Revival style; the
vertical orientation of the top and bottom rails and the side-nailed attachment of the balusters appear out
of place in relation to the rest of the building. M. McGandy and C. O’Malley agreed.
E. Finegan asked if the wood would be pressure-treated, to which P. Albrecht replied, yes. The
applicant asked whether they could paint the wood. There was unanimous agreement that the new
elements should be painted once the wood had weathered sufficiently to hold paint.
P. Albrecht agreed to detail the railings in a more traditional manner, with a flat (horizontally oriented)
top and bottom rail, and square balusters dying into the rails.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. City Traffic Light Replacements
L. Truame announced that the City will be installing some new replacement traffic signals. City
engineer Tim Logue needs feedback from the Commission for those lights located within Historic
District boundaries.
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L. Truame indicated that she had drafted a memorandum for the Commission’s review, based on the
approval granted by the ILPC in 2002 for the same type of work in the DeWitt Park Historic District. In
2002 the ILPC resolved that “simple poles and mast arms with a black or dark green painted finish”
would be the least visually obtrusive and the most compatible with the historic character of the district.
The current memorandum reiterates this opinion and observes that a consistent appearance of street
equipment and furniture throughout the districts better allows these elements to fade into the
background.
C. O’Malley remarked the memorandum seems fine. S. Stein agreed. No objections were raised to the
contents of the document.
B. Cornell University Law School Addition
L. Truame indicated she also had drafted a memo to Senior Planner Lisa Nicholas regarding the
proposed Cornell University Law School Addition to Myron Taylor Hall, currently undergoing
environmental review under the lead agency of the Planning and Development Board. The Law School
is not a local landmark, but is a historic resource; the memo provides comment on the impacts of the
proposed alterations as part of the environmental review process. In the memorandum, L. Truame
describes some incongruities associated with the current proposed design that are not in keeping with the
Collegiate Gothic style of the rest of the building. L. Truame indicated the Commission could provide
additional feedback to the Planning Board at any point, should they so desire.
C. Landmark Association of Western New York ― Cultural Landscapes 101 Workshop
S. Stein indicated she recently participated in the Cultural Landscapes 101 workshop in Rochester, New
York. She made the materials from the meeting available to the other Commission members and L.
Truame indicated she would scan and distribute them in pdf form.
D. Proposed Landmarks Ordinance Revisions
L. Truame indicated that the City Attorney’s office is currently working on some language changes for
the proposed landmarks ordinance revisions. Revisions to the version last seen by the ILPC have been
made based on comments received from Cornell and on the new New York State Model Ordinance,
currently being drafted. The intent is for these new revisions to go before the Planning Board and ILPC
in May 2012, then to Planning Committee in June and Common Council in July.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, and as moved by M. McGandy and seconded by E. Finegan, the
meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Stein.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn Truame, Historic Preservation Planner
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission