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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRSC 03-08-16 approved 03-22-16Design Review Subcommittee of the Elgin Heritage Commission March 8, 2016 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 Save[ (6:02), and John Wiedmeyer MEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT: Dan Miller; Bill Cogley, John & Elizabeth O'Malley (re: 170 River Bluff); Juan & Mireida Estrada (418 Lowrie Ct); and Kevin Brown (Casco rep) PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION: Old Business None New Business 170 River Bluff Rd — Installation of stoop roof over front door APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to approve the minutes of February 23, 2016, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter. The motion passed unanimously (5 -0). ITEMS TABLED: None NEW BUSINESS: 170 River Bluff Rd — Installation of stoop roof over front door The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install an aluminum awning (102" wide by 60" deep by 30" high) over the front stoop. Design Review Subcommittee — March 8, 2016 Page 2 of 4 The applicant noted that they have been having water drain into the basement at the front stoop area and would like to cover /protect this area so that rain and snow could be directed away from the foundation. The home was built in the 1940s and was built in the Colonial Revival style. The style of the awning resembles a similar roof design found at the porch at 1013 Douglas Avenue. 1013 Douglas Avenue was built in 1951. In addition, in the 1940's, fabric awnings were gradually replaced by aluminum ones as they were noted to be longer - lasting and lower- maintenance than traditional, fabric awnings. As stated in Preservation Brief 44, "Widely available for the first time, mechanical air conditioning threatened to make the awning an unnecessary vestige of an earlier era. Awning companies fought back with arguments that traditional shading systems could reduce the required size and investment in air conditioning systems. Though canvas awnings continued to be used on contemporary buildings, new types were often selected to do the job, aluminum and fiberglass awnings. Widely available by the 1950s, aluminum awnings were touted as longer - lasting and lower - maintenance than traditional awnings. Though used on small -scale commercial structures, they were especially popular with homeowners. Aluminum awnings were made with slats called "pans" arranged horizontally or vertically. For variety and to match the building to which they were applied, different colored slats could be arranged to create stripes or other decorative patterns. While aluminum awnings were usually fixed, in the 1960s several operable roller awnings were developed, including one with the trade name Flexalum Roll -Up." Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications: Awnings A. Should be designed for traditional locations such as over windows and doors or attached to porches. B. Should be of canvas, or similar woven material C. Should be attached with care to prevent unnecessary damage of original details and materials. D. Should be of colors to compliment the dwelling. E. Should fit the opening to which they are applied. Rectangular window and door openings should have straight across shed type awnings, not bubble or curved forms. Awnings over arched windows should have curved or rounded awnings to match the openings. F. Should only be applied when evidence suggests. G. Should not cover or conceal significant architectural details such as window hood molding. Staff Recommendation: Staff cannot recommend approval of the application as submitted, since the material (metal - awning) does not meet the material requirements of the Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts. Design Review Subcommittee — March 8, 2016 Page 3 of 4 However, given the age of the home (1940s), the increase in use of metal awnings during this particular decade and the similarity of this awning/porch roof to 1013 Douglas Avenue, if the awning is approved as proposed, staff recommends that the Design Review Subcommittee recommend the following: 1. That the bracket, if needed, be of the Smith design. 2. All details are to match applicant's submitted drawing and specifications. 3. That all applicable permits will be obtained prior to beginning any work. John & Elizabeth O'Malley (owner) was present for tonight's COA discussion: Awning color to match gutters and downspouts. Illustration indicates awning to be almost to the side 3 pane window (right of door). Owners indicated the awning would be about % the distance from the brick facade (right of door) to the 3 pane side window. Although the awning is not for aesthetic purposes, the owners feel it will provide curb appeal and allow them and their guests some coverage from the inclement weather. A single bracket would be installed on the eastern portion of the awning to provide support and decorative element to the awning. Adjacent homes have ornate details for their porch /entry. Additionally, the front porch is at a lower typography, which seems to pool and seep thru the basement /foundation located along the plane of their entry. Several options have been done to try to have the diverted away from the front porch water run away from the entry without success (landscaping, rebuilding of stoop). Commissioners discussed the metal awning proposed versus canvas awning. Canvas material was deemed to non - appropriate for the building. As proposed, the awning style would be appropriate with the age of the house. Although an awning may assist with water from falling directly along the building face, the water seepage may require the basement wall to have a sealant applied. Motion made by Committee Member Savel to approve as submitted with the following amendment: bracket to be pinned into the mortar joint. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roxworthy. The motion passed unanimously (6 -0). ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS: Item 1- REPLACEMENT WINDOW FOR DISCUSSION: Casco Industries Inc. — Kevin Brown (windows representative) Their company offer both new and replacement windows. A sample window was brought for display. Currently working with homeowners of 418 Lowrie Court for replacement windows (reference 02/23/16 DRSC meeting). Casco provides windows and measuring services too. Drawings were provided of two styles of Casco windows: 1) double hung replacement kit and 2) aluminum clad tilt latch. Design Review Subcommittee — March 8, 2016 Page 4 of 4 Committee members noticed profile differences between the two window styles. Committee members noted that several tilt pac /compression jamb replacement kits of similar products have been approved from other suppliers (Marvin, Pella, Crestline, etc) that meet the minimum window details: top rail 2 -2 Y ", tide style 2 -2 Y ", meeting rail 1' /:" and Bottom rail 3- 3 % : ". Staff stated that should the exterior trim /siding of 418 Lowrie Ct be removed, then the owners would be required to meet the design guidelines for restoration. Recommendation for window representative to bring in both styles of windows (full size) for side by side comparison. Committee wants to work with local window business, but the profile must be appropriate for historic structures. Mr. Brown indicated he would return with full size window units at meeting scheduled for April 12, 2016. Item 2— BUILDING CODES: Ms. Sundquist stated building codes were being reviewed by the legal department for possible updates of the Elgin Municipal Code by city council. Status updates will be provided by staff tc committee members of the impending amendments. CORRESPONDENCE: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Hunter. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Savel. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectf submitte Cindy A. W d n Design Review Subcommittee Secretary Approved: March 22, 2016