HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRSC 05-09-17 - approved 05-23-17Design Review Subcommittee
of the Elgin Heritage Commission
May 9, 2017
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:
Lynne Diamond, Rebecca Hunter, Bill Ristow, Dennis Roxworthy, and John Wiedmeyer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Scott Savel and John Roberson
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to approve the minutes of April 11, 2017, as
submitted.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter.
The motion passed unanimously.
RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT:
None
PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION:
Old Business
None
New Business
636 Park St — Removal of existing wood fence, installation of new aluminum (black) fence
1028 Douglas Ave — Replacement of basement windows
ITEMS TABLED:
1028 Douglas Ave — Replacement of basement windows — due to nonrepresentation
Design Review Subcommittee — May 9, 2017
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NEW BUSINESS:
636 Park St — Removal of existing wood fence, installation of new aluminum (black) fence
The property owner has submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to replace the
decorative balustrade fence on the property with a black, aluminum style fence.
The request has been submitted due to areas of deterioration at the existing fence. The
property owner also indicated that the current fence is high maintenance and cost prohibitive
and would like to replace it with a fence that doesn't require associated maintenance.
Staff conducted a site visit on May 4, 2017 and found that the fence was in overall good
condition with the most deterioration at the post caps.
The existing fence is 4' -0" high in the front and side yards with a 6-0" privacy fence in the rear
yard. To note, while the fence is not original to the home, it is of an appropriate style. The
existing fence was installed in 2001.
Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications:
Fences
A. Should be proportionate to the house and the design should be compatible with the
character of the building and district.
B. Should be painted white or a trim color related to the house, never left to weather or
given a stain finish.
E. If placed along common property lines should not be placed against another fence -
double line fencing is not permitted.
F. Should have posts that are set a minimum of 30 inches below grade and no more than
eight feet apart.
G. If wood, be of cedar, redwood or pressure treated pine, cypress or other rot resistant
wood.
Fences in Rear Yard
L. Built for privacy should not extend beyond the rear yard beginning at the back corner of
the house.
M. Built for privacy should have a minimum of gate post, corner post, and end posts which
are five to ten inches wide and taller than the pickets.
N. Can be constructed in the same low fence design found in the front yard.
0. Of wood boards or planks for privacy should be located in rear yards and be no taller
than six feet. Boards should be no more than six inches wide.
P. Privacy fences of flat boards with flat tops in a single row are most appropriate for the
historic districts. Vertical boards topped with lattice or picket are also appropriate as
privacy fences.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval if the following conditions are met:
1. The fence is in the Genesis (preferable) or Classic style.
Design Review Subcommittee — May 9, 2017
Page 3 of 5
2. That the finial shall be of the Triad style (preferable) and placed at every other picket.
3. That ball caps are placed at major newel posts such as at each side of the gates and at
the corners of the property. The remaining newel posts shall have the standard post
cap.
4. That the gates (single and double) shall be in the arched style in the same style as the
proposed fence.
5. The fence is no more than 42 inches high at front and side yards.
6. The fence is painted black.
If the applicant seeks to repair the existing fence; or remove the fence completely, this may be
approved over the counter.
Eric Featherston (owner) was present for tonight's COA discussion:
Owner stated several portions of the existing wood fence are propped up. Posts were installed
with concrete at the base; which is causing excessive moisture and rot. Existing posts are very
angular with multiple cuts. Estimates to replace the posts have been significant in cost.
Owner is agreeable to the Gensis style. Received information earlier today indicating the
finales are about $1.00 a piece, and willing to place them on every other picket.
Motion made by Committee Member Diamond to approve the COA with staff
recommendations, amended by the following commission requirements: 1) Gensis style fence
with rings, 2) finials to be placed on alternating spears /pickets, 3) ball cap on post, 4) all
gateways with arch design with finials on top, and 5) staff approval required for any deviation
of design listed above.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Ristow.
The motion passed unanimously.
1028 Douglas Ave — Replacement of basement windows
The applicant has submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to replace four, fixed, metal
basement windows with aluminum -clad wood windows with simulated divided lites. The
proposed window will match closely to the existing storm window design. The windows will not
change in size.
The applicant noted that the existing metal windows are in varying condition (poor to fair) and
would like to have two of the windows installed as awning windows to allow for more air
ventilation into the basement. The other two windows will be proposed to be fixed.
The applicant is also requesting to keep the current configuration of his venting system that is
venting out from part of the window located at the rear of the property. The glazing in one of
the divided liter was removed to accommodate for the vent. The vent hood on the stove on the
first floor is a Tenn -Air downdraft cooktop and the venting would be allowed to be maintained
Design Review Subcommittee — May 9, 2017
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in its current configuration per code due to this type of appliance. The applicant stating that he
would prefer to maintain the vent -hood through the window as making a hole in the brick
would be intrusive and costly.
Three basement windows can be seen from the public right of way, however, are partially
obstructed by vegetation. The remaining basement window proposed to be replaced is located
at the rear of the home and is only visible from the alley and partially obstructed from the A/C
mechanical system.
Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications:
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.
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.
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:
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted and with the
following conditions:
1. That the proposed basement windows shall contain three - simulated divided lites (grilled
installed on exterior and interior sides of the glazing) and shall fit the width of the
original window opening.
Design Review Subcommittee — May 9, 2017
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2. That the proposed basement window containing the vent shall have two - simulated
divided lites and the area where the third light would be will contain a metal panel for
the vent. If possible, the vent location shall be flipped so that it is hidden by the A/C
mechanical unit and that the portion of the window could be seen from the street.
3. Window glass shall not be tinted.
No representation. Item to be tabled.
Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to table COA due to non - representation.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Diamond.
The motion passed unanimously.
ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS:
• City council will heard /consider the 2017 grant application tomorrow night (May 10th)
• Mayor's award ceremony received many complimented on award presentations, venue
and food.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Ristow.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roxworthy.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy A. alden Approved:
Design Review Subcommittee Secretary May 23, 2017