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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2010-09-27 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission Minutes – September 27, 2010 Present: Nancy Brcak Ed Finegan David Kramer Susan Jones Susan Stein, Chair Leslie Chatterton, Staff Megan Gilbert, Staff Chair S. Stein called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm and read the legal notice for the public hearings. I. PUBLIC HEARING A. 115 Ridgewood Road, Cornell Heights Historic District – proposal for window replacement in c1970s addition David Ruff was present to address the Commission regarding the proposal. He would like to replace the existing aluminum casement windows in the 1970s addition. The windows do not function well and some are damaged. He is proposing to replace the casement windows with double hung windows. There will be two double hung windows in each opening. D. Kramer stated that he believed that the proposal is a good idea for this particular part of the property. N. Brcak added that the proposed treatment is appropriate because the addition is not historic. Public Hearing On a motion by N. Brcak, seconded by D. Kramer, Chair S. Stein opened the public hearing. There being no one present to address the Commission, the public hearing was closed on a motion by E. Finegan, seconded by D. Kramer. RESOLUTION: Moved by N. Brcak, seconded by D. Kramer WHEREAS, 115 Ridgewood Rd is located in the Cornell Heights Historic District, designated as provided for in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4(E) of the Municipal Code, Landmarks Preservation, an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness has been submitted by contractor David Ruff for review by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC), and WHEREAS, the action under consideration is to replace existing windows in five openings, and 1 ILPC Minutes September 27, 2010 WHEREAS, the project is a Type II Action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance and thus requires no further environmental review, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed documentation including an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness submitted by David Ruff, photographs of the window locations with the existing single casement paired with a fixed window, the same photographs altered with a sketch suggesting placement of the double hung windows in the same openings, a manufacturer’s “cut sheet” with specifications for the American Craftsman double-hung windows, and a second cut sheet from the Home Depot with a sketch and description of the proposed window, 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 special ILPC meeting on September 27, 2010, and WHEREAS, 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 Heights Historic District is identified in the City of Ithaca’s Cornell Heights Historic District Summary Significance Statement as 1898-1937. As described in the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the proposal involves the replacement of existing window configurations consisting of a casement paired with a fixed window in five locations of the 1970 addition with paired American Craftsman vinyl one-over-one, double-hung replacement window. The purpose of the proposal is to replace existing windows as required by the City of Ithaca Building Department, to reduce maintenance issues and to accommodate air conditioning units. 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 -2- ILPC Minutes September 27, 2010 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. As described in the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness and shown in the accompanying photographs, the windows are located in a 1970s addition to the original 1916-1917 Colonial Revival style residence. In keeping with Standard #2, the proposal will not remove historic materials or alter features and spaces that characterize the property. As described in the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the new work is located in and appropriate to the 1970s addition to the original Colonial Revival style residence. In keeping with Standard #9, the proposal will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the massing size, scale and architectural features of the property. WHEREAS, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance of the East Hill Historic District, 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 Commission approves the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness. -3- ILPC Minutes September 27, 2010 RECORD OF VOTE: 5-0-0 Yes N. Brcak E. Finegan D. Kramer S. Jones S. Stein No 0 Abstain 0 B. 105 Highland Place, East Hill Historic District – proposal to replace seven exterior doors Property owner George Avramis was present to address the Commission regarding the proposal. He would like to replace six deteriorated exterior doors on the rear of the property. The doors are not energy efficient, and tenants do not feel safe. He would like to replace the existing doors with raised panel doors without windows. He clarified that the doors proposed for replacement are only on the back of the property, two on each level. D. Kramer asked if the existing doors are original to the property. G. Avramis stated that he does not believe so. Staff added that several of the doors are of different styles so it is difficult to determine which, if any, are original. The doors on the second and third stories are not visible from the public right of way; the doors on the first floor are visible to someone walking behind the property. Staff stated that the property owner is proposing replacement doors that do not have windows. This was originally a concern, but upon seeing the property, the doors proposed for replacement are secondary. The decision then becomes an issue of personal preference. Public Hearing On a motion by D. Kramer, seconded by N. Brcak, Chair S. Stein opened the public hearing. There being no one present to address the Commission, the public hearing was closed on a motion by E. Finegan, seconded by D. Kramer. RESOLUTION: Moved by E. Finegan, seconded by S. Jones WHEREAS, 105 Highland Place is located in the East Hill Historic District, designated as provided for in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4(E) of the Municipal Code, Landmarks Preservation, an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness has been submitted by property owner George Avramis for review by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC), and WHEREAS, the action under consideration is the replacement of six existing doors located on the eastern side of the residence, and -4- ILPC Minutes September 27, 2010 WHEREAS, the project is a Type II Action under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and the City Environmental Quality Review Ordinance and thus requires no further environmental review, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed documentation including an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness submitted by George Avramis, printed photographs of three existing doors, a cut sheet for a Masonite 3-Point Security 36” 6-panel steel entry door, and a cut sheet for a JELD-WEN 36” 9-lite entry door with galvanized steel surface, 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 special ILPC meeting held on September 27, 2010, and WHEREAS, 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 East Hill Historic District is identified in the City of Ithaca’s East Hill Historic District Summary Significance Statement as 1830-1932. As described in the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the proposal involves the replacement of six existing exterior doors (5 wood and 1 metal) with Masonite 3-Point Security 36” white 6-panel steel doors. The purpose of the proposal is to replace deteriorated doors and to improve energy efficiency and security. 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 -5- ILPC Minutes September 27, 2010 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. As described in the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, shown in the accompanying photographs, and described in the email from the applicant dated 9/24/10 the existing doors proposed for replacement are located on the rear of the building and are not easily visible from the street. The doors are not character-defining features of the property as stated in Standard #2. As described in the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, the proposed replacement of the existing doors with Shop ReliaBilt, masonite, 3-point security 6-panel steel doors will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the property in keeping with Standard #9. WHEREAS, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance of the East Hill Historic District, 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 Commission approves the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the following condition: The applicant shall make an effort to use the existing casings. RECORD OF VOTE: 5-0-0 Yes N. Brcak No 0 Abstain 0 -6- ILPC Minutes September 27, 2010 E. Finegan D. Kramer S. Jones S. Stein II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR A. Administrative Matters Staff reported that Micahel McGandy has expressed an interest in serving on the Commission. If he becomes a member, there is still one vacancy. The Commission discussed Christine O’Malley as a potential member, and staff agreed to contact her. Staff reported that the Planning & Development Board will discuss the designation of the Jane A. Delano Home in light of the proposed mitigations of the Collegetown Terrace project on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. The Planning Board is responsible for providing a report to the Common Council prior to their vote on the designation. Staff reported on a grant application through the Certified Local Government program from the State Historic Preservation Office. If awarded, the grant would fund further research on properties included in Mary Tomlan and John Schroeder’s “Collegetown Historic Resources Worthy of Detailed Research” report. The grant would provide funding for further research on 12-15 properties. The properties could be proposed for individual landmark designation or possibly a thematic district designation. B. Communications C. Public Comment on Matters of Interest III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 29, 2010; July 13, 2010 On a motion by D. Kramer, seconded by E. Finegan, the minutes from the June 29, 2010 and July 13, 2010 meetings were approved unanimously with corrections. IV. NEW BUSINESS V. OLD BUSINESS VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m. by Acting Chair S. Stein. Respectfully Submitted, Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission -7-