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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2008-03-13Approved by ILPC – 4/10/08 1 J:\GROUPS\Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission\Minutes\2008\0313.doc Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission March 13, 2008 Present: Alphonse Pieper, Chair Nancy Brcak Lynn Truame Susan Stein Leslie Chatterton, Staff Megan Gilbert, Staff Chair A. Pieper called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm and read the legal notices for the public hearings. I. PUBLIC HEARING A. Sibley Hall, Arts Quad Historic District – proposal for elevator to achieve interior access for people with disabilities Peter Turner, Assistant Dean of the College of Architecture, and Lawrence Hoetzlein, project manager, were present to address the Commission. Public Hearing On a motion by S. Stein seconded by N. Brcak, 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 N. Brcak, seconded by L. Truame. RESOLUTION: Moved by S. Stein, seconded by L. Truame: WHEREAS, Sibley Hall is located in the Arts Quad 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 HOLT Architects on behalf of property owner Cornell University for review by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC), and WHEREAS, the action under consideration is to install two elevators and construct a new service entrance, 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 dated February 28, 2008 including a narrative description of the proposal with related photographs and an architectural plan showing the location of the proposed alterations, and ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -2- 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 March 13, 2008, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: • Begun in 1870, Sibley Hall received additions in 1881, 1884, 1894, and 1902, all of which are significant in their own right as provided for in Standard #4 of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. • Sibley Hall retains a high level of integrity and is a contributing element of the Arts Quad Historic District. WHEREAS, in its evaluation the Commission has considered the following: As addressed in the narrative dated February 28, 2008, the proposal involves the installation of two elevators that extend from the basement level and connects all floor levels, and the construction of a new service entrance into the basement of West Sibley. The purpose of the proposal is to provide interior access to the programs and services within Sibley Hall to persons with disabilities. 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: ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -3- #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. The installation of the two elevators and construction of the new service entrance will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property in keeping with Standard #9. Design details and hardware differentiate the new work from the old, in keeping with Standard #9. The new work, as illustrated in the submitted documentation, is compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the building, in keeping with Standard #9. The new work will be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the building and its environment would be 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 Arts Quad 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 Commission approves the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness. RECORD OF VOTE: Carried 4-0-0 Yes A. Pieper N. Brcak S. Stein L. Truame No 0 Abstain 0 B. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 210 N. Cayuga Street, DeWitt Park Historic District – proposal for a new sign ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -4- Susan Baxtrom and Philip Snyder were present to address the Commission. Public Hearing On a motion by N. Brcak, 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 S. Stein, seconded by N. Brcak. RESOLUTION: Moved by N. Brcak, seconded by L. Truame: WHEREAS, St. John’s Church, 210 N. Cayuga Street is located in the DeWitt Park Historic District, designated as provided for in Section 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 Rev. Philip Snyder on behalf of St. John’s Church for review by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC), and WHEREAS, the action under consideration is to install a new sign with exterior lighting, 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 dated February 27, 2008 including a narrative description of the proposal, a graphic rendering of the proposed sign, and a photograph of the church showing the proposed location for the sign, 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 March 13, 2008, and WHEREAS, the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -5- • The period of significance for the DeWitt Park Historic District is 1820- 1930. • Constructed in 1860, the church was built within the district’s period of significance and is a contributing element of the DeWitt Park Historic District. • The church retains a high level of physical integrity. WHEREAS, in its evaluation the Commission has considered the following: As addressed in the narrative dated February 27, 2008, the proposal involves the installation of a new sign in the shape of the historic arches of the church’s doors and windows. The new sign will be two inches thick and constructed of exterior HDU urethane. The proposed sign will be illuminated by exterior lighting hidden in the bushes. The purpose of the proposal is to replace two deteriorating signs that are attached to the front of the building. 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 ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -6- future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired. The proposed sign and exterior lighting will be freestanding and will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property in keeping with Standard #9. The proposed sign, as illustrated in the submitted documentation, will be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features of the property, in keeping with Standard #9. The installation of the sign and lighting will be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the building and its environment would be 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 RESOLVED, that the Commission approves the request 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 C. Delta Chi – 102 The Knoll, Cornell Heights Historic District – proposal for parking area Dave Weber, President of the Alumni Board of Trustees, and Michael Tumolo, House Director of Delta Chi, were present to address the Commission. Public Hearing On a motion by N. Brcak, 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 S. Stein, seconded by N. Brcak. RESOLUTION: Moved by L. Truame, seconded by S. Stein: ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -7- WHEREAS, the Delta Chi Fraternity, 102 The Knoll, 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 Jonathan Carnes on behalf of Michael Tumolo and David Weber, representatives of DCEF, LLC/Delta Chi, for review by the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC), and WHEREAS, the actions under consideration is the construction of a parking area, 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 dated February 26, 2008 including a narrative description of the proposal prepared by J. Carnes of Crawford & Stearns Preservation Architecture and Planning including a concept sketch of the proposal and photographs of the proposed parking site, 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 March 13, 2008, and WHEREAS, the ILPC 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. As stated on the New York State Building Structure Inventory form, Delta Chi Fraternity house, constructed 1914-1915, is architecturally and historically significant as an example of the work of locally prominent architects Arthur Gibb and Ornan Waltz. As stated on the New York State Building Structure Inventory form, the building is also architecturally and historically significant as a good example of the Tudor Revival style, popular in the early decades of the 20th century during the first period of the development of Cornell Heights. ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -8- Constructed within the district’s period of significance and retaining sufficient integrity to reflect its historic and architectural significance, the Delta Chi fraternity house is a contributing element of the Cornell Heights Historic District. As addressed in the narrative dated February 26, 2008, the proposal is to construct twenty-two parking spaces. The construction of these parking spaces will involve installation of new curbing and two concrete aprons at the entrances, regrading of the slope adjacent to the parking, and introduction of a retaining wall. A row of low plantings will be added to serve as screening. The purpose of the proposal is to meet the parking requirements for Delta Chi’s use of the property. 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. Separated from the visual context of Delta Chi by topographical conditions and screened from the historic district by plantings, the construction of the proposed parking spaces will not destroy historic materials that characterize the property in keeping with Standard #9. ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -9- As shown on the drawing by J. Carnes, the location and size of the proposed parking area does promote compatibility in massing, size, and scale to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment in keeping with Standard #9. The proposed parking area can be removed in the future and its removal will not impair the form and integrity of the historic property and its environment in keeping with Standard #10 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) of the Municipal Code, 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 condition: Staff approval of final plantings. Retaining wall shall be Belgard Celtik Retaining Wall. RECORD OF VOTE: Carried 4-0-0 Yes A. Pieper, Chair N. Brcak 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 – January 10, 2008; February 14, 2008 ILPC Minutes March 13, 2008 -10- On a motion by N. Brcak, seconded by S. Stein, the January 10, 2008 and February 14, 2008 minutes were approved without corrections by vote of the ILPC. IV. OLD BUSINESS None V. NEW BUSINESS Chair A. Pieper introduced Susan Jones and Tessa Rudan who are interested in serving on the Commission. L. Truame offered some information on green building standards and suggested looking into whether the Preservation League of New York State or the National Historic Trust have done any work on standards for historic buildings. L. Chatterton reported that the Cornell Preservation Alumni work weekend is still scheduled, and the organizers have decided to focus on restoring the veranda of the Cascadilla Boathouse. Students and alumni will receive training on the techniques used to restore the veranda. They are very excited about the project and hope to use the boathouse for ongoing projects. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. on a motion by N. Brcak, seconded by L. Truame. Respectfully Submitted, Leslie A. Chatterton, Secretary Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission