HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2008-02-14Approved by ILPC — 3/13/08
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission
February 14, 2008
Present:
Alphonse Pieper, Chair
Kristen Brennan
George Holets
Lynn Truame
Susan Stein
Mary Tomlan, Common Council Liaison
Leslie Chatterton, Staff
Megan Gilbert, Staff
Chair A. Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and read the legal notices for the public
hearings.
I. PUBLIC HEARING
A. 302 Wait Avenue, Cornell Heights Historic District – proposal to replace deteriorated
wood shingle roof with fiberglass architectural style shingles.
Bonnie Griffith, Project Manager for the Department of Residential Life at Cornell
University (property owner), was present to address the Commission.
Public Hearing
On a motion by L. Truame, seconded by K. Brennan, Chair A. Pieper opened the public
hearing. There being no one to address the Commission, A. Pieper closed the public
hearing on a motion by L. Truame, seconded by S. Stein.
RESOLUTION: Moved by K. Brennan, seconded by S. Stein,
WHEREAS, 302 Wait Avenue is located in the Cornell Heights Historic District as
provided for in Section 228-3 and 228-4 of the Municipal Code, and
WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4(E) of the Municipal Code, an application for
a Certificate of Appropriateness was submitted by Bonnie Griffith on
behalf of property owner Cornell University for review by the Ithaca
Landmarks Preservation Commission, (ILPC), and
WHEREAS, the action under consideration is the replacement of a wood shingle
roof on the garage as part of a larger in-kind rehabilitation of the
building, 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, the ILPC has reviewed the submitted documentation received January 9,
2008, including a narrative description of the proposal submitted by
Bonnie Griffith with photographs of the garage roof, and
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Meeting Held February 14, 2008
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 February 14, 2008, 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.
Constructed prior to 1919, the garage at 302 Wait Avenue is constructed
within the district’s period of significance and is a contributing element of
the Cornell Heights Historic District.
Constructed within the district’s period of significance and retaining a
relatively high level of integrity 302 Wait Avenue is a contributing
element of the Cornell Heights Historic District.
As addressed in the narrative received January 9, 2008, the proposal
involves the replacement of the garage’s existing wood shake shingle roof
with a CertainTeed Landmark “wood shake look” 40-year shingle.
The purpose of the proposal is to replace the deteriorated roof.
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. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of
a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design,
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Meeting Held February 14, 2008
color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible,
materials
The proposed CertainTeed Landmark “wood shake look” 40-year shingles
match the wood shake shingles in color, texture, and other visual qualities
in keeping with Standard #6.
WHEREAS, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic,
historical, or architectural significance of the Cornell Heights 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 ILPC approves the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness
with the following conditions:
Staff approval of proposal for in-kind rehabilitation of the garage
RECORD OF VOTE: Carried 4-0-0
Yes
A. Pieper
K. Brennan
S. Stein
L. Truame
No
0
Abstain
0
B. 515 East State Street, East Hill Historic District – proposal for window replacement
Property owners Simon and Monica Moll were present to address the Commission.
Public Hearing
On a motion by K. Brennan, seconded by S. Stein, Chair A. Pieper opened the public
hearing. There being no one to address the Commission, the public hearing was closed
on a motion by K. Brennan, seconded by S. Stein.
RESOLUTION: Moved by S. Stein, seconded by K. Brennan:
WHEREAS, 515 East State Street is located in the East Hill Local 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 owners Simon and Monica Moll for review by the
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC), and
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Meeting Held February 14, 2008
WHEREAS, the action under consideration is to replace existing windows, 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, the ILPC has reviewed the documentation received January 28, 2008
including a narrative description of the proposal submitted by Simon and
Monica Moll, 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 regularly scheduled ILPC meeting
on February 14, 2008, 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 of Significance Statement as 1830-1932.
• Constructed prior to 1896, the property is historically and architecturally
significant as a representative example of a late 19th c. residence constructed
during the time when East Hill experienced rapid development in response to
the growth of Cornell University.
• Constructed within the district’s period of significance, the property
retains significant integrity to reflect its historic and architectural
significance and is a contributing element of the East Hill Historic District.
WHEREAS, in its evaluation the Commission has considered the following:
As addressed in the narrative received January 28, 2008, the proposal
involves the replacement of existing wood, two over two windows with
lockable, double-paned, high efficiency low E glass vinyl replacement
windows.
The purpose of the proposal is to replace deteriorated windows and to
improve the security and safety of future residents.
The applicants recently acquired the property and were unaware that it is
located in a local historic district. The applicants began replacing the
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Meeting Held February 14, 2008
windows but stopped work upon learning of the historic status of the
house.
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:
#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.
#6 Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than
replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of
a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design,
color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible,
materials.
The existing windows are a character-defining feature of the residence.
The applicant has not sufficiently demonstrated that all windows require
replacement in keeping with Standard #2.
The replacement vinyl windows do not match the old in design, color,
texture, and other visual qualities in keeping with Standard #6.
WHEREAS, the proposal will 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 does not meet criteria for approval under Section 228-4E (1)(a)
of the Municipal Code, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Commission denies the request for a Certificate of
Appropriateness.
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Meeting Held February 14, 2008
RECORD OF VOTE: Carried 4-0-0
Yes
A. Pieper, Chair
K. Brennan
S. Stein
L. Truame
No
0
Abstain
0
II. PLEASURE OF THE CHAIR
A. Administrative Matters
None.
B. Public Comment on Matters of Interest
None.
C. Communications
None.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 16, 2006; September 21, 2006; October 12, 2006;
December 14, 2006; January 18, 2007; May 10, 2007
On a motion by K. Brennan, seconded by S. Stein, the February 16, 2006 minutes were
approved with corrections by vote of the ILPC.
On a motion by K. Brennan, seconded by S. Stein, the September 21, 2006 minutes were
approved with corrections by vote of the ILPC.
On a motion by K. Brennan, seconded by S. Stein, the December 14, 2006 minutes were
approved with corrections by vote of the ILPC.
On a motion by K. Brennan, seconded by S. Stein, the May 10, 2007 minutes were approved
with corrections and the October 12, 2006 and January 18, 2007 were approved without
corrections by vote of the ILPC.
* K. Brennan left the meeting.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
None.
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Meeting Held February 14, 2008
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Cascadilla Boathouse – Historic Preservation Planning student work weekend
L. Chatterton explained the project and reported that the work weekend is scheduled for
April 11th-13th. The students are considering several projects including window repair and
rehabilitation of the veranda.
B. Martin Luther King, Jr. Walkway
L. Chatterton reported that she is serving as the staff liaison to the committee working on
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Walkway. She updated the Commission on the committee and
some ideas that have been put forth to commemorate historic events and local figures.
* Chair A. Pieper left the meeting.
M. Tomlan noted that a lot of the City’s African American history is not included in most
historical records, but information is available for the project.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. on a motion by S.
Stein, seconded by L. Truame.
Respectfully Submitted,
Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary
Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission
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