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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCDR 03-10-15 - approved 04-28-15Design Review Subcommittee of the Elgin Heritage Commission March 10, 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 2nd floor of City Hall) by Chairman Wiedmeyer. MEMBERS PRESENT: Rebecca Hunter, Bill Ristow, John Roberson, Dennis Roxworthy, Scott Savel, Christen Sundquist, and John Wiedmeyer MEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Sarosh Saher, Senior Planner; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT: Dan Miller PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION: Old Business None New Business 507 E Chicago St— new porch balustrade 704 N Spring St — new arbor, pergola, and porch rehabilitation APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to approve the minutes of January 13, 2015, as amended: 1) page 3 "height limit of 36" and 2) page 4 change "to ". The motion was seconded by Committee Member Ristow. The motion passed unanimously. ITEMS TABLED: 704 N Spring St —1) Pergola drawing details of header, column, "scrolling' details, etc. 2) Evaluation of window condition and specs for new windows (if applicable) 3) Front Porch drawing details of decking, railing and handrail, ramps, newel post, skirting, etc. Design Review Subcommittee — March 10, 2015 Page 2 of 7 NEW BUSINESS: 507 E Chicago St — new porch balustrade The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to install a new front porch balustrade on the home. According to the application, the property does not currently have a porch balustrade. Sanborn maps additionally show that the property did not originally have a front porch. The property owner would like to install a new balustrade and handrail down the front stairs to the porch. The balusters are proposed to be 2x2 angled at 45 degrees. The rails will be 2x4 with beveled top. The height of the top rail is proposed at 24 inches above the porch deck. The Community Development Department has considered and approved the proposed porch railing height. Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications: Porch Columns and Railings 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. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the installation of the guard rail (porch handrail) at 24 inches and installation of the handrail at a height no less than 30 inches. Dan Miller (contractor) was present for tonight's COA discussion: Dan thanked staff (Marc Mylott) for the memo dated February 25, 2015, regarding Guard and Handrails Requirements at Historic Structures. Top of porch rail to be 24 ". Handrail to elbow from column in towards steps, then return into the newel post on bottom step. Newel post would be square and placed on the bottom step. Motion made by Committee Member Savel to approve as amended (handrail elbow from column to newel post; and committee making an affirmative finding that the installation of a handrail or guard that complies with the building code would be a substantial detriment to historic character of the building. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Ristow. The motion passed unanimously. Design Review Subcommittee — March 10, 2015 Page 3 of 7 704 N Spring St — new arbor, pergola, and porch rehabilitation The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the following items of work: 1. Repair /replace the pergola on the southwest side of the house (facing Lovell Street). The structure was deteriorated and was replaced with new wolmanized lumber. The structure located at the rear of the house, but facing Lovell Street. It is set back from the street and maintains a low profile in relation to the house. 2. Installation of a new arbor on the front sidewalk (facing Spring Street). The feature is currently in place, but temporarily erected and can be moved /removed when necessary. The arbor is constructed in wood and is proposed to be permanently located on the front sidewalk to the home, immediately inside of the property line. 3. Replacement of windows on the house with new wood windows. Applicant had originally proposed to repair the existing windows on the house, but due to cost considerations, is now proposing to replace the windows with new wood windows. Currently no specifications of the replacement windows have been provided. 4. Removal and reconstruction of the front porch. The porch project is also the recipient of the 2014 grant from the 75/25 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program. Currently, only the porch deck, skirting and columns remain. The railing is currently removed. The applicant proposes to replace the deck and its structure with new lumber, and install new railing. The columns and porch roof will be maintained in place. Specifications of the porch are provided for review. 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 fagade, 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. Design Review Subcommittee —March 10, 2015 Page 4 of 7 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 Railings 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. Pergolas, Arbors, Gazebos, Fountains, Tree Houses, Ponds, and Statuary A. should be sited in rear yards or side yards B. should be of wood construction in designs appropriate for pre -1945 dwellings. Yard features constructed of materials such as glass, metal or brick can be placed in yards if situated near the rear of the lot and effectively screened by fencing or landscaping. C. should not be located in street yards. Windows A. which are original should be preserved in their original location, size, and design and with their original materials and numbers of panes (glass lights). B. which are not original should not be added to primary facades or to secondary facades where readily visible. C. should be repaired rather than replaced, but if replacement is necessary, the recommended replacement should be in -kind to match the originals in material and design. Windows clad in aluminum or baked -on aluminum are acceptable as replacement windows for use throughout the structure. Factors to be considered in determining whether the severity of deterioration of windows requires replacement shall include but not be limited to the following factors: damage, excessive weathering, loss of soundness or integrity of the wood, deterioration due to rot or insect attack, and cost to repair. As to the factor of the cost to repair windows, a particular window may be permitted to be replaced rather than repaired if the estimated cost to repair the windows is more than the estimated cost of the purchase and installation of appropriate replacement windows. D. which are original of steel or aluminum should be repaired with materials to match the original. If repair is not feasible, replacement should be with new windows to match the original as closely as possible in materials and dimensions. Aluminum extruded windows are an acceptable replacement substitute for original steel sash windows, as long as their size, shape and profile match the original windows. E. Vinyl extruded windows are not permitted for use in historic districts. F. which are new should not have snap -on or flush muntins. True divided muntins are preferred over these types of muntins which do not have the same appearance as historic windows. New muntins which are an integral part of the window sash and installed on both sides of the glass are preferable to snap -on simple grilles. Design Review Subcommittee — March 10, 2015 Page 5 of 7 G. screens and /or storms should be wood or baked -on or anodized aluminum and fit within the window frames. H. that are approved for replacement may be fitted with new double -paned Low -E glass that will improve the energy conservation on the interior. Only low -e glass that does not contain a tint should be used Staff Recommendation: The recommendation of staff on the requested items are as follows: 1. Repair /replace the pergola on the southwest side of the house (facing Lovell Street) Approve repair /replacement to match the existing. 2. Installation of a new trellis on the front sidewalk (facing Spring Street) The guidelines do not permit the installation of an arbor in a street yard. Therefore staff is unable to recommend approval of the arbor in its current location. However, staff notes that a similar structures located at 715 North Spring Street was recently denied by the Subcommittee. 3. Removal and reconstruction of the front porch deck Approve with the following requirements: a. The porch deck shall be rebuilt in the same footprint as currently constructed. b. The porch guard rail height should be no greater than 30 inches from the deck. c. The top and bottom rails should be 2x4 with chamfered corners to allow for water runoff. d. The balusters should be no less than 2x2 spaced no greater than 2.5 inches apart. e. The handrails down the stairs should end in a round newel post, topped with a post cap (decorative ball optional). The top of the handrail should end in the columns on either side of the stairs. f. The porch skirting may be reconstructed as proposed with care taken to ensure that the porch floor overhangs the skirting frame board by no less than 1 inch. g. If the stairs are proposed to be reconstructed, the treads should be 2x lumber bull - nosed on three sides while overhanging the riser by no less than 1 inch. % inch cove molding may be installed under each tread. 4. Replacement of windows on the house with new wood windows Approve the replacement of windows on the house with new all wood windows. The applicant will need to submit specifications of the windows proposed to be used. The windows will need to match the size of the opening exactly and with respect to sash dimensions, muntin configuration, etc. James DiFiglio (owner) and David Malmstedt (applicant) were present for tonight's COA discussion with the following comments: Pergola: To replace the previous pergola. No change to dimension. Arbor: Shown in photos (located within a street yard) was temporarily placed there to show the proposed location to the committee. Arbor would be painted complimentary colors of the house. Railing: There was no railing there in 1994 -95. Additionally, older black and white photos Design Review Subcommittee — March 10, 2015 Page 6 of 7 indicate a prior railing for this house. Date of photos is unknown. Discussion of pergola: Two columns needed: 1) back left column (against the garage) and right front (against the house) for aesthetic purposes only. Header to be installed on both outward facing planes of the pergola. Owner would like to include a "scrolling details" on the headed. Motion #1 made by Committee Member Roxworthy to table the pergola request for additional design details (including dimensions) to be submitted and reviewed by committee. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Savel. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion of windows: Simulated divided lites (SDL) can be used. Grant money can be used for repair of existing windows, but not for replacement. Ropes are easily replaced. Wood storms will help with energy efficiency. Motion #2 made by Committee Member Savel to table window request for the following items: a) Staff to complete full evaluation of all windows and b) If windows are to be replaced, specs will need to be submitted for consideration. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion of front porch: Potentially the five (5) columns will remain. Need to add an ADA ramp. Decking supports will need to be inspected once the decking is removed. Decking can be either composite or wood material in tongue and grove style. Motion #3 made by Committee Member Roxworthy to table front porch request for construction drawings including supports, decking, ramps, railings, newel post, skirting, etc. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Savel. The motion passed unanimously. ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS: None CORRESPONDENCE: 1. Correspondence for informational purposes — "Painting treated lumber" 2. Guard and Hand Rail policy for historic porches. Committee members expressed their thanks to the Community Development Director (Marc Mylott) for providing written criteria for guard rails and handrails requirements for porches of historic houses. 3. Upcoming street work to East Chicago Street within public right -of -way Design Review Subcommittee — March 10, 2015 Page 7 of 7 ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Roberson. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Ristow. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy A. Wa n Design Review Subcommittee Secretary Approve ��