Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2006-06-14Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission June 14, 2006 Special meeting at site of 101 Thurston Avenue Present: Nancy Brcak Kristen Brennan George Holets Susan Stein Leslie Chatterton, Staff Also present: Property owner, Hector Abruna, Paul Yaman and Jim Hovanec of Yaman Associates. The meeting was continued from the regularly scheduled meeting on June 6, 2006. P. Yaman and crew erected a full scale frame up of the north façade of the proposed garage and marked the building footprint on the ground. Commission members viewed the mock-up from several vantage points on the street to assess the size and scale of the garage and its impact on the streetscape. In response to questions from the Commission regarding the large size of the building, H. Abruna explained that his residence has little storage area and that additional on-site storage was necessary. In response to a question about possible use of the upper story for habitation, P. Yaman responded that there are no plans for water or sewage hook-up so that there would be little potential for habitation. In response to suggestions regarding changes to the design to mitigate impacts of the large size and scale of the building P. Yaman explained that the building was designed to be compatible with the residence. He noted that this was especially evident in the roof form which is the same pitch as the roof on the residence and includes the same front facing jerkin headed gable as the roof of the main residence. Commission members at the site made the following comments on the proposal: Kristen Brennan recalled her opinion stated at the regular June meeting and restated her judgment that the proposed building is well designed, fits in with the neighborhood, is in- scale with the surroundings and will not block the view of the residence. N. Brcak disagreed and stated that the building appears too large, is out of scale in relation to the house adding that siting the building so close to the sidewalk makes it appear larger still. She questioned why the garage needs to be so large, why it needs to house two cars and why there must be a second story. She feels the design is too large and as such the proposed building is intrusive. S. Stein stated that although the building is large, she feels it is sufficiently separated from the residence and that the scale is similar to other buildings in the district. She stated that the design is appropriate to the neighborhood and would vote to approve the project. G. Holets stated that his primary concern was that the new construction would hide the existing residence. Viewing the model he stated that he is reassured that the garage is sufficient distance from the residence and would vote to approve the project. Part II A. Pieper was not present at the earlier site visit but met with staff L Chatterton and the property owner H. Abruna at the site in the afternoon. Staff reported comments of the other Commission members. He questioned whether the length of the roof could be shortened as shown in an alternate drawing. The owner stated that the latest proposal was the one for which he is seeking approval. A. Pieper stated that he felt that the building was well designed, and sufficiently differentiated as new construction. He felt the existing roof-line would soften the building’s impact and that he would vote to approve the proposal.