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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2010-11-09 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 1 ILPC Minutes 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. -2- ILPC Minutes 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 -3- ILPC Minutes 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 -4- ILPC Minutes 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. -5- ILPC Minutes September 27, 2010 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 -6-