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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-15 approved 11-10-15Design Review Subcommittee of the Elgin Heritage Commission October 27, 2015 Minutes The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (Located on the 2" d floor of City Hall) by Chairman Wiedmeyer. MEMBERS PRESENT: Rebecca Hunter, Dennis Roxworthy, Scott Savel, and John Wiedmeyer MEMBERS ABSENT: Bill Ristow and John Roberson CITY STAFF PRESENT: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT: Dan Miller, and Kim Bower (city historic preservation intern) PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION: Old Business None New Business 459 N Spring St — restoration of front porch 120 Hilton PI — restoration of front porch APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Committee Member Hunter to approve the minutes of October 13, 2015, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roxworthy. The motion passed unanimously. ITEMS TABLED: None Design Review Subcommittee — October 27, 2015 Page 2 of 6 NEW BUSINESS: 459 N Spring St — Restoration of front porch The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct new steps, handrails and knee wall at the front porch. This is a corrective action to the following violations: 1. Removal of front porch stairs and knee wall without a COA. The applicant stated that the knee wall and stairs that were removed were in poor condition and could not be repaired. The applicant indicated that they will match the existing knee wall that was not demolished (found at both sides of the porch) to reconstruct the street facing knee wall. The existing knee wall height is at 27 inches. To note, since the stairs were removed, the applicant is now required to install handrails. The proposed handrail height shall maintain a 30 inch height measured at the stair nosing. Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications: Porches A. Should be maintained in their original design with original materials and detailing B. Should be repaired or replaced to match the original in design, materials, scale and placement C. Should be screened only if the structural framework for the screen panels is minimal and the open appearance of the porch is maintained. Screen panels should be placed behind the original features such as columns or railings and should not hide decorative details or result in the removal of original porch materials. D. Should have steps of the same material as the porch floor (e.g. porches with wood floors should also have steps made of wood, not concrete or brick) E. Should have poured concrete steps if the porch, patio or terrace floor is made of concrete (see section on Porch Steps). F. Should have wood tongue and groove flooring running perpendicular to the facade, if the porch floor is made of wood. G. Should have trellises made of wood, if trellises are appropriate. H. Should be filled in as traditional for the type and style of the house or with decorative wood framed skirting, vertical slats, or lattice panels, if open areas in the foundation exist. I. Should not be removed if original to the dwelling J. Should not be enclosed with wood, glass, or other materials which would alter the porch's open appearance. Porch Columns and Railing A. Should be preserved and maintained. Where repair is required, use materials to match the original in dimensions and detailing. B. Should be rebuilt in historic designs if the original columns and railings have been removed or replaced Design Review Subcommittee — October 27, 2015 Page 3 of 6 C. Should have new balusters for the railing, if required. Porch balusters (also called spindles) should be appropriate for the building's style and period. The height of the railing should be in line with the window sill level, if present, and no greater than 30 inches in height. Porch Staircases and Steps A. Should be retained in their original location and configuration, if original to the property. Wood and concrete steps should be repaired with materials to match the original. B. Should be replaced with wood rather than brick or concrete, if the porch floor is made of wood. C. Should have their tread constructed in either 5/4x12 or 2x12 lumber. The ends of the treads should be bull -nosed and overhang the riser by no less than 1 inch. D. Should have newel posts and balusters, treads and risers, to match original porch construction. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted and with the following conditions: 1. The knee wall shall match existing in height, material, texture and size. It shall also match details from the submitted, older photograph. 2. The street facing knee wall shall be capped to match the existing cap and trim detailing as found on the existing side knee walls. 3. The handrail shall have a 2x4 %" top rail with chamfered edges, 1/4" cove, 2x2 square, balusters with sharp edges, with a maximum of 3" on center. That the bottom rail is a 2 x 4%" with chamfered edges, installed 2" above finished floor. 4. That the stair treads shall 5/4" x 12 (recommended) or 2x12 and bull -nosed on 3 sides and overhang the risers a minimum of 1 ". Pressure treated wood or composite material is acceptable. When using pressure treated wood for the stair treads, paint every side to deter any future cupping of the board. Use 3 -4 deck screws (ceramic coated preferable) to adhere board to framing. 5. That the newel posts are added to the bottom stair tread. 6. That the newel posts shall be round and 6 inch in diameter with ball cap. 7. All front porch details shall match the attached drawing. 8. All front porch details shall be primed and painted. Juan Herrera (owner) and Jose Herrera (translator) were present for tonight's COA discussion: The approximate 3'/" weep holes will be maintained. Cleats for storms /screens on columns will be removed Stucco texture /pattern should match the house (as close as possible). Motion made by Committee Member Savel to approve per staff comments and amendment to include stucco texture design to match house. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roxworthy. The motion passed unanimously. Design Review Subcommittee — October 27, 2015 Page 4 of 6 120 Hilton PI — Restoration of front porch The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct new steps, handrails and balusters at the front porch as well as replace deteriorated tongue and groove decking. Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications: Porches A. Should be maintained in their original design with original materials and detailing B. Should be repaired or replaced to match the original in design, materials, scale and placement C. Should be screened only if the structural framework for the screen panels is minimal and the open appearance of the porch is maintained. Screen panels should be placed behind the original features such as columns or railings and should not hide decorative details or result in the removal of original porch materials. D. Should have steps of the same material as the porch floor (e.g. porches with wood floors should also have steps made of wood, not concrete or brick) E. Should have poured concrete steps if the porch, patio or terrace floor is made of concrete (see section on Porch Steps). F. Should have wood tongue and groove flooring running perpendicular to the fa4ade, if the porch floor is made of wood. G. Should have trellises made of wood, if trellises are appropriate. H. Should be filled in as traditional for the type and style of the house or with decorative wood framed skirting, vertical slats, or lattice panels, if open areas in the foundation exist. I. Should not be removed if original to the dwelling J. Should not be enclosed with wood, glass, or other materials which would alter the porch's open appearance. Porch Columns and Railing A. Should be preserved and maintained. Where repair is required, use materials to match the original in dimensions and detailing. B. Should be rebuilt in historic designs if the original columns and railings have been removed or replaced C. Should have new balusters for the railing, if required. Porch balusters (also called spindles) should be appropriate for the building's style and period. The height of the railing should be in line with the window sill level, if present, and no greater than 30 inches in height. Porch Staircases and Steps A. Should be retained in their original location and configuration, if original to the property. Wood and concrete steps should be repaired with materials to match the original. B. Should be replaced with wood rather than brick or concrete, if the porch floor is made of wood. C. Should have their tread constructed in either 5/412 or 2x12 lumber. The ends of the treads should be bull -nosed and overhang the riser by no less than 1 inch. Design Review Subcommittee — October 27, 2015 Page 5 of 6 D. Should have newel posts and balusters, treads and risers, to match original porch construction. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted and with the following conditions: 1. The handrail shall have a 2x4 %" top rail with chamfered edges, %" cove, 2x2 square, balusters with sharp edges, with a maximum of 3" on center. That the bottom rail is a 2 x 4%" with chamfered edges, installed 2" above finished floor. 2. That the stair treads shall 5/4" x 12 (recommended) or 2x12 and bull -nosed on 3 sides and overhang the risers a minimum of 1 ". Pressure treated wood or composite material is acceptable. When using pressure treated wood for the stair treads, paint every side to deter any future cupping of the board. Use 3 -4 deck screws (ceramic coated preferable) to adhere board to framing. 3. The columns shall be 6x6 with shoe molding and capital. 4. That the newel posts are added to the bottom stair tread. 5. That the newel posts shall be 6x6 with post cap. 6. That the newel post shall have a 1x wrap for shoe molding and crown. 7. The deteriorated porch flooring shall be 1x4 tongue and groove and installed perpendicular to the house. Pressure treated wood or composite material (recommended) is acceptable. 8. The skirting shall consist of a 1x8 vertical corner board with a 1x4 bottom rimboard and a 1x8 top rimboard (with care to ensure that the porch floor overhangs the skirting frame board by no less than 1 inch). There shall also be vertical 1x4 skirting boards spaced 1 inch that are placed in between the skirting framing. 9. All front porch details shall match the attached drawing. 10. All front porch details shall be primed and painted. Alberto and Corina Mantes (owners) were present for tonight's COA discussion: Homeowners indicated they would like to amend the COA to include the turned style columns instead of the square design. Handrail should meet on the lower non - turned section of the column. They do not intend to replace the porch roof. Roof will be propped during work and leveled properly when columns are put in. Commissioners indicated top portion of column (square design) should be between 12 " -18" in height. Bottom portion will be dictated by the railing and handrail height. Stock 3x3 (2'/<" actual) balusters /spindles to be used. Hand rail height of 30 ". Photos indicate current stair risers to be appear short and plentiful. Few risers maybe needed and still met code compliance. Skirting trim board needs to be added against the house. Motion made by Committee Member Savel to approve with staff comments and the following amendments: 1) turned porch column (final design to be approved by staff, 2) wrap lower Design Review Subcommittee — October 27, 2015 Page 6 of 6 portion of column with 1x6 (rounded or chamfered edges); 3) newel post to remain square topped with a 5" ball cap; 4) add additional risers, if required by code; 5) stock 3x3 turned balusters and 6) existing porch roof to be leveled. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roxworthy. The motion passed unanimously. ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS: 70 S Chapel St — general question on upper balcony panel design Railing height of 2nd floor would be based on accessibility of balcony, if any. Panel replace can be scaled by using the upper floor window dimension on the photo. Staff will need to determine if accessible or not. Elgin Historic District Wall — Wayfinding graphic Lettering will be installed into the mortar joints announcing the Elgin Historic District area at the northwest corner of Chicago and Liberty Streets. 463 -465 St Charles St — status update of renovation Travis of Habitat for Humanity invited committee members to look at the exterior renovations completed already on this large project. Work done to date has greatly improved the overall look of the house. DC Cook Historic District — signage question Heritage Commission could consider assistance from the Neighborhood Improvement Grant. The grant application would need to be submitted for consideration. CORRESPONDENCE: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Roxworthy. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy A. alden Approved: Design Review Subcommittee Secretary