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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-ILPC-2017-07-26Approved by ILPC: September 12, 2017 Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) Minutes — July 26, 2017 Present: Ed Finegan, Chair David Kramer, Vice Chair Stephen Gibian, Member Jennifer Minner, Member Megan McDonald, Member Katelin Olson, Member Bryan McCracken, Historic Preservation Planner Chair Finegan called the meeting to order at 1:07 pm. The meeting was held at 936 University Avenue. I. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. 936 University Avenue, The Foundry, Individual Local Landmark – Proposal to Replace a Window with a Door On behalf of property owner Cornell University, Frank Parish, Director of Facilities for the School of Art, Architecture and Planning, summarized the details of the proposed project, noting that the installation of a door in the proposed location would solve a circulation issue within the building. Currently students wishing to exit on the north side of the building must walk through the private studios of the Masters of Fine Arts students. With the addition of more functional work spaces for architecture students behind the Foundry during the Rand Hall renovation project, this issue would be exacerbated. The appearance of the proposed door would match that of a door on the University Avenue (south) side of the building; the brick wall and lower sash of the window would be removed and a new flat panel door matching others in the building would be installed. A gravel pad and path to the existing concrete paved area would be installed for access to the door on the exterior. K. Olson asked if the permanent alteration of the building was really necessary since the problem seems only temporary. F. Parish replied that the circulation problems on the interior of the building have always existed and will continue after the Rand Hall renovation is complete. The proposed door will correct a perennial problem. S. Gibian inquired about the width of the door. F. Parish indicated that the door would be the same width as the existing window, approximately 32”. Public Hearing On a motion by J. Minner, seconded by M.M. McDonald, Chair Finegan opened the Public Hearing. There being no public comments, the Public Hearing was closed on a motion by K. Olson, seconded by D. Kramer. K. Olson commented that it is unfortunate that the exterior of the historic building is being altered to solve problems related to the layout of the interior and asked if the MFA studios could be relocated to eliminate the need for the additional door. F. Parish replied that the studios could not be relocated as it would result in a significant reduction in space available for the studios. Approved by ILPC: September 12, 2017 RESOLUTION: Moved by J. Minner, seconded by K. Olson. WHEREAS, The Foundry at 936 University Ave. is an individual local landmark, as designated under Section 228-3 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code in 1990, and WHEREAS, as set forth in Section 228-4 of the Municipal Code, an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, dated June 29, 2017, was submitted for review to the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission (ILPC) by Frank Parish on behalf of property owner Cornell University, including the following: (1) two narratives respectively titled Description of Proposed Change(s) and Reasons for Changes(s); (2) four photographs documenting existing conditions and the project location; (3) a rendering of the proposed alteration; (4) three architectural drawings titled “Site Plan,” “Foundry 1st Floor,” and “Area of Work,” and WHEREAS, the ILPC has reviewed the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form for the Foundry at 936 University Ave., and WHEREAS, as stated in the narrative Description of Proposed Change(s), the project involves the replacement of the window and a section of brick wall on the west side of the east bay of the north elevation with a door, and WHEREAS, the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness 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 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 the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness was conducted at the regularly scheduled ILPC meeting on July 26, 2017, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the ILPC has made the following findings of fact concerning the property and the proposal: As indicated in the New York State Building-Structure Inventory Form, The Foundry at 936 University Ave was likely designed by Archimedes N. Russell to house the casting and blacksmith shop for the Cornell University School of Mechanical Engineering, then located in Sibley Hall and was constructed in 1883. 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 Approved by ILPC: September 12, 2017 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 228-6 of the Municipal Code. In making this determination, the Commission is guided by the principles set forth in Section 228-6B of the Municipal Code, as further elaborated in Section 228-6C, and by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and in this case specifically the following principles and Standards: Principle #1 The historic features of an individual landmark shall be altered as little as possible and any alterations made shall be compatible with the historic character of the landmark. Standard #2 The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property will be avoided. Standard #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. Standard #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. With respect to Principle #1, Standard #2, and Standard #9, the replacement of a window and a section of brick wall with a door will remove distinctive materials and will alter features and spaces that characterize the property. Ideally, changes would be made to the interior of the building to eliminate the need to alter the exterior of the historic resource. The ILPC notes, however, that the location of the proposed door is not visible or easily accessible from the public way, and the alteration of the window opening allows for the retention of some of the historic window fabric. Also with respect to Principle #1 and Standard #9, the proposed door is compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features of the property and its environment. With respect to Standard #10, the proposed door can be removed in the future without impairment of the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment. Approved by ILPC: September 12, 2017 RESOLVED, that, based on the findings set forth above, the proposal will not have a substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historical, or architectural significance of The Foundry at 936 University Ave, as set forth in Section 228-6, and be it further, RESOLVED, that the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission determines that the proposal meets criteria for approval under Section 228-6 of the Municipal Code, and be it further RESOLVED, that the ILPC approves the Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the following conditions: • The removed window sash shall be clearly labelled with the date of removal and its original location, and stored in a secure, clean and dry location for potential future reinstallation. • ILPC staff shall review and approve the specifications for the proposed door. Should the door need to be enlarged to meeting Building Code, the applicant shall submit a revised application to the Commission for review and consideration. RECORD OF VOTE: Moved by: J. Minner Seconded by K. Olson In Favor: M.M. McDonald, D. Kramer, E. Finegan, K. Olson, S. Gibian, J. Minner Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: S. Stein Recuse: 0 II. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 1:55 p.m. by Chair Finegan. Respectfully submitted, Bryan McCracken, Historic Preservation Planner Secretary, Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission