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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2007-05-10Approved by ILPC — 2/14/08 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission May 10, 2007 Present: Alphonse Pieper, Chair Nancy Brcak, Vice Chair Susan Stein Lynn Truame Leslie Chatterton, Staff Chair A. Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. and read the legal notices for the public hearings. I. PUBLIC HEARING A. 120 East Buffalo Street, Boardman House, DeWitt Park Historic District – proposal for freestanding sign. Public Abstract Corporation Representative Karin T. Lanning was present to address the Commission concerning the proposal. Public Hearing On a motion made by L. Truame seconded by N. Brcak, Chair A. Pieper opened the public hearing. There being no one to address the Commission, Chair A. Pieper closed the public hearing on a motion made by N. Brcak, seconded by S. Stein RESOLUTION: Moved by S. Stein, seconded by L Truame: WHEREAS, the Boardman House is located in the DeWitt Park Historic District as provided for in Section 228-3 and 228-4 of the Municipal Code, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Chapter 228-4(E) of the Municipal Code, Landmarks Preservation, and Chapter 272 –16(B), Signs, an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness has been submitted by Karin T. Lanning of the Public Abstract Corporation for review by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission, (ILPC), and WHEREAS, the action under consideration is the installation of a free standing sign, 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 for which no further environmental review is required, and WHEREAS, at the meeting held on May 10, 2007 the ILPC reviewed the submitted documentation dated April 26, 2007, including the following: 1 Approved by ILPC — 2/14/08 • A letter from Karin Lanning describing the proposal, a letter from the property owner approving installation of the sign, a City of Ithaca Application for a Permit to Erect a Sign, a graphic representation of the sign, a site plan showing the proposed location of the sign pole, a photocopied photograph showing the area within which the sign is to be installed, and a dimensioned sketch of the pole and sign. • A copy of the City of Ithaca DeWitt Park Historic District Summary extracted from An Architectural Walking Tour of the DeWitt Park Historic District, prepared by Pamela M. Bush for Historic Ithaca and from the 1971 National Register nomination form prepared by Margaret Marriott under the direction of Historic Ithaca. 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 regularly scheduled ILPC meeting on May 10, 2007, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: As revealed in the historic district summary, the period of significance of the DeWitt Park Historic District is 1820 – 1930. Constructed in 1866 the Boardman House was built within the period of significance and thereby contributes to the significance of the DeWitt Park Historic District. The Boardman House contributes further significance to the DeWitt Park Historic District through association with prominent local architect A. B. Dale, and as an outstanding local example of the Italianate style. Comparing the description and photographs on the New York State Building and Structure Inventory form with the existing condition of the Boardman House the structure’s exterior retains a high level of physical integrity. As described in the narrative and shown on the site plan, on the image of the sign, on the sketch of the sign and pole, and the photograph, the proposal involves placement of a free standing 7’ black metal pole in the area in front of the west side of the building’s south façade and the attachment of a 31”x 18” laminated wood sign. The purpose of the proposal is to inform the public of the location of Public Abstract. 2 Approved by ILPC — 2/14/08 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: #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. As shown in the submitted narrative, sketch, site plan and photograph, placement of the freestanding sign hung perpendicular to the street does not affect historic materials that characterize the property. The new sign is differentiated as a contemporary feature and is of an appropriate size to be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features of the Boardman House to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment in keeping with Standard #9. Future removal of the pole and sign will leave the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment unimpaired, in keeping with Standard #10. WHEREAS, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance of the DeWitt Park 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 Approved by ILPC — 2/14/08 RESOLVED, that the ILPC approves the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. RECORD OF VOTE: Carried 4-0-0 Yes A. Pieper, Chair N. Brcak S. Stein L. Truame No 0 Abstain 0 B. Delta Chi Fraternity, 102 The Knoll, Cornell Heights Historic District – proposal for window replacement. Roy Payne, Jr., Delta Chi alumnus and representative for the rehabilitation, Mark Wheeler of Harris Beach, PLLC, carpenter Peter Silag, and Ian Shapiro of Taitum Engineering were present to address the ILPC concerning the application. Application materials distributed to members prior to the meeting included a letter dated March 12, 2007 prepared Ian Shapiro, PE, President of Taitem Engineeering on the effects of air leakage on the window sashes due to high humidity levels and condensation; a window survey completed by carpenter Peter Silag entitled Delta Chi Window survey, dated May 2, 2007 and keyed to drawings prepared by Creawfor and Steanrs Preservation Architects and Planners consisting of A-7 north elevation, A-7.1 east and west elevations, and A-7.2 south elevation and dated January 5, 2007; and specifications for the Honeywell Quicksteam warm moisture humidifier; various medical records of the owners representative Roy R. Payne dating from the period between August 3, 2006 and January 9, 2006 P. Silag stated that although he has worked on the Delta Chi structure often in the past, he is affiliated with the Delta Chi organization. P. Silag reported the following information having to do with the survey: Replacement in kind would be invasive in this case where window casings are attached to the masonry walls. Removal of existing windows would damage the jambs and necessitate a “brad and glue” repair. Replacement with a Marvin insert will have less of an impact. Basement windows are in the most deteriorated shape. In some cases original sashes are gone. Sills are only 6-8 inches above ground and the windows are not secure. First floor windows, located in the more formal areas of the house are not in as bad condition as are windows in the upper story bedrooms. These windows are large, however, and sashes are not of sufficient width to retrofit with a second glass pane. 4 Approved by ILPC — 2/14/08 Second floor bedroom windows have received abusive treatment and “nail and glue repairs will not hold up over the long term. It is easier to replace damaged and worn parts with the Marvin insert. A. Pieper disputed the assertion that removal of casings is necessary to window repair and that jambs can be separated from the casings. L Truame stated that the Commission must take a hard look at the need to remove such a significant amount of historic fabric, before considering the appropriateness of replacement material. Commission members agreed that the survey completed by P. Silage did not sufficiently detail problems with specific windows and was inconsistent in recommendations for treatments of specified problems. Commission members expressed frustration with the inability of the applicant to provide a comprehensive window survey and questioned why such a survey has not been assigned to the applicant’s architectural firm of Crawford and Stearns. The Commission stated that to be credible the survey should be undertaken by or at least vetted by a firm with recognized preservation credentials such as Crawford and Stearns. In response to an inquiry made by I Shapiro on behalf or the applicant staff listed several other firms familiar with accepted preservation practice and standards including Elise Johnson-Schmidt in Corning NY, Steve Jorden of Rochester and John Bero, also from Rochester. R. Payne agreed to contact these firms and select one to conduct a window survey to provide the Commission a comprehensive perspective and educated proposal for treatment of the Delta Chi windows. The application for window and door alteration was withdrawn by the applicant. II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR A. Administrative Matters None B. Public Comment on Matters of Interest None C. Communications None B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. April 12, 2007 i. No action taken. 5 Approved by ILPC — 2/14/08 IV. OLD BUSINESS V. NEW BUSINESS VI. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully Submitted, Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission 6