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Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission
Minutes – November 9, 2010
Present:
Nancy Brcak
Ed Finegan
Michael McGandy
Susan Jones
Susan Stein, Chair
Ellen McCollister, Common Council Liaison
Leslie Chatterton, Staff
Megan Gilbert, Staff
Chair S. Stein called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and read the legal notice for the public
hearing.
I. PUBLIC HEARING
A. 113 North Quarry Street, East Hill Historic District – proposal to install rain chains
No one was present to address the Commission. Staff explained that this application is
before the Commission because this is the first proposal for rain chains. The proposal
involves the installation of three-four downspouts on the ends of the highest rooflines.
E. Finegan stated that he is not concerned about the rain chains if they are not visible.
His only concern is that future applications be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
N. Brcak stated that she believes the rain chains are less intrusive than the downspouts
that had been installed previously on the property.
M. McGandy noted that the rain chains will help with some of the drainage issues of the
property and will reduce the impacts of poor drainage on surrounding property owners.
Staff feels comfortable with this particular application because the rain chains would not
be easily visible but appreciates E. Finegan’s comments about the need to review on a
case-by-case basis.
Public Hearing
On a motion by N. Brcak, seconded by E. Finegan, 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 S. Jones, seconded by N. Brcak.
RESOLUTION: Moved by N. Brcak, seconded by S. Jones
WHEREAS, 113 North Quarry Street is located in the East Hill Historic District as
provided for in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, Landmarks
Preservation, and
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September 27, 2010
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 Mary Beth Murphy, and
WHEREAS, As described on the Certificate of Appropriateness application
dated October 3, 2010, the proposal involves the installation of
three rain chains, two at the highest corners at the rear of the
residence and one at the corner of the porch furthest from the road.
WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed the Certificate of Appropriateness application
dated October 3, 2010, including the following: the Certificate of
Appropriateness application form with an attachment that includes a
narrative description of the project, an image of the proposed rain chain
and an image of the residence.
WHEREAS, the purpose of the proposal is to accommodate site conditions that
make effective drainage of roof runoff using a typical downspout
difficult, as stated in the narrative submitted by the applicant, 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, 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, a public hearing for the purpose of considering approval of a
Certificate of Appropriateness was conducted at the regularly
scheduled ILPC meeting held on Tuesday November 9, 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.
A comparison of city directories and city maps indicated that this
modest residence with elements of stick work was constructed
between 1882 and 1899.
Constructed within the district’s period of significance, 113 North Quarry
St. retains significant integrity to reflect its historic and architectural
significance and is a contributing element of the East Hill Historic District.
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September 27, 2010
In its evaluation the Commission has considered the following:
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:
#6 Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than
replaced. When the severity of deterioration requires replacement of
a distinctive feature, the new 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.
#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.
The downspout, now deteriorated, is not an historic feature that
characterizes the property.
As described in the Certificate of Appropriateness application, the
proposed rain chain will be differentiated from the old and will be
compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features
to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment
in keeping with Standard #9.
WHEREAS, based on the findings listed above, Commission has determined that 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
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September 27, 2010
RESOLVED, that the Commission approves the request for a Certificate of
Appropriateness.
RECORD OF VOTE: 5-0-0
Yes
N. Brcak
E. Finegan
S. Jones
M. McGandy
S. Stein
No
0
Abstain
0
II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR
A. Administrative Matters
Michael McGandy was recently appointed to the Commission. He introduced himself to
the Commission and members of the public in the audience.
B. Communications
C. Public Comment on Matters of Interest
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IV. NEW BUSINESS
Staff reported that in response to Commission comments about designation of other
historic resources within the City, Cascadilla Park Road has been identified as
potentially worthy of historic designation. The area was not designated previously
because it did not fit well with either East Hill or DeWitt Park. Stephanie Sang has
begun research on the area and is obtaining additional research for a historic
resources inventory. Her work will continue until May, and the Commission will be
able to the review the work as it progresses.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Kathryn Wolf and Alan Chimacoff presented the Collegetown Terrace Apartments project to
the Commission. K. Wolf noted that the project has been modified significantly during the
environmental review process and several modifications will address concerns raised by the
Commission. An application for the proposal will be submitted for the Commission’s
consideration at the December 2010 meeting. K. Wolf and A. Chimacoff presented an
overview of the project with particular attention to the aspects that are within the East Hill
Historic District. Buildings 1 and 7 will be located within the historic district, and Building 5
will be easily visible from the historic district. A. Chimacoff explained that the revised site
plan addresses concerns about the streetscape along East State Street and the previously
designed elliptical building (Building 1). Buildings 2 and 4 have been subdivided into
smaller, individual residential buildings, and 901 East State Street will be retained and
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September 27, 2010
rehabilitated. Building 1 is not longer an elliptical shape; it now includes references from
Casa Roma and follows the curvature of the South Quarry Street.
N. Brcak asked about materials, particularly for Buildings 2 and 4. A. Chimacoff responded
that they will likely be stucco and/or brick, similar to surrounding buildings. N. Brcak asked
about the rehabilitation of 901 East State Street. A. Chimacoff responded that they currently
have a set of drawings and intend to remove the agglomerations that have been added over
the years. They are in the process of preliminary plans for this building so a material has not
been decided. It will be differentiated from the original appearance of the building but will
compatible. The 901 East State Street footprint shown on the site plan is the existing
footprint, with all additions. J. Novarr added that the building will contain fewer bedrooms
than the existing building (currently 21) and that the new addition will be much smaller and
more compatible than the existing additions to the building. They will try to be true to what
the building originally looked like in the rehabilitation and bring the initial building back to
its former glory. K. Wolf noted that the preliminary drawings can be shared if the
Commission is interested.
S. Jones asked for clarification of the exterior appearance of Buildings 5 and 7. A.
Chimacoff stated that they will have diamond-shaped metal panels that come in a variety of
colors. For the north sides of the buildings, it will be a variety of grays, greens, and some
yellows. The panels will be affixed to the buildings to reflect the vegetation and existing
landscape. The south sides will have similar panels in shades of browns and grays to reflect
the stratified appearance of the quarry and gorge. He added that they will be building a
mock-up on the site and Commission members can visit the mock-up to see what this
exterior will look like. All of the serpentine buildings (3, 5, 6, 7) will have the metal panels.
Building 3 will have more autumnal colors on the north side than the other buildings to better
relate to Buildings 2 and 4.
M. McGandy asked about a 3-D image that would show how 901 East State Street relates to
the proposed surrounding buildings. A. Chimacoff said this is not readily available at this
time; similar images are now out of date.
Commission members asked questions about the ground level of Building 7. A. Chimacoff
clarified that the ground level will be structured parking with openings for ventilation (not
glass windows as shown in the rendering). The building will only have 4 stories of
residential units. The openings are intended to provide adequate ventilation without
mechanical fans.
E. McCollister asked about the heights of existing building heights. The existing building
heights of Quarry Arms and Casa Roma are approximately the same. The side of Building 1
that is adjacent to Casa Roma will be of the same height as Casa Roma. The scale of the
building will decrease as building 1 continues up S. Quarry Street (toward E. State Street), to
maintain the existing scale with the cottages on the opposite side of the street. Building 1
may not have a prominent main entrance.
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K. Wolf reiterated that it is their intention to submit an application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness next week. This will include all of the material presented tonight along with
information about how the project relates to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. They
would also like to have a public hearing at the December meeting.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. by Acting Chair S.
Stein.
Respectfully Submitted,
Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission
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