Draft Minutes TOWN OF GUILFORD Historic District Commission Minutes 18 th April, 2012 A public hearing and regular meeting of the Historic District Commission was held on Wednesday 18 th April, 2012 at 7:00p.m. in the Town Hall with Chairman Teresa Buchanan presiding. Present: Teresa Buchanan, John Cunningham, Ann Street and Alternate Randall McCartney. Excused: Reno Migani and William Thompson. Absent: Alternate Michael Sulzbach. PUBLIC HEARING The meeting was called to order at 7:03p.m. Clerk Ann Street read the legal call of the meeting. Alternate McCartney was appointed to act in the absence of regular members. #599 - William F. and Claire O. White, to install a new condenser; propane tank; extend rear portion of existing deck; replace front porch decking; install architectural shingles on main house, front porch, rear shed; replace loose stone walkway with pavers, all on property located at 44 South Fair Street, Assessor s Map 32, Lot 56: William White and Robert Oppel introduced themselves. Mr. White stated that he was air-conditioning his home and so one condensing unit would be seen from the street in the left rear corner. He explained that the unit would be screened with Azek fencing on two sides. Mr. White said he was putting gas logs in his house and so would be adding a propane tank. One thought was to seal an existing window and locate the tank underneath so it would not be visible. The tank is 120 gallons, 5ft. high, 30 diameter. However, if this was done then a second air-conditioning unit would be visible. Regarding the deck, Mr. White said it would be extended 4ft. to the rear. Ms. Street asked if the railing would be redone and Mr. White replied yes. Composite decking would be used with square balusters. Mr. Oppel added that the lattice below would be gray and the foundation would be repainted to match the lattice. The front porch will be replaced-in-kind in tongue and groove. Architectural roof shingles will be used to replace the existing 3-tab shingles. Mr. Oppel showed a sample of the new shingle in black. The asphalt driveway will be replaced-in-kind. Regarding the rear stone walkway, Mr. White said this would be replaced with pavers to match the existing pavers in the front of the house. A random rather than a straight pattern will be used. Mr. White added that when the paving contractor was at his house it was suggested to replace the whole concrete front walk with blue stone but this was not in his application. Mr. Cunningham suggested this might shorten the span from the top of the deck to the bluestone which could become a tripping issue. Mr. White replied that his contractor was already aware of this and would make sure it did not happen. Mr. McCartney added that where the stone met the street sidewalk could become another tripping issue. Mr. White replied that his contractor had said he would grade this down. Mr. Cunningham suggested that when the bluestone was installed the contractor should make sure it was flush. Mr. White replied that his contractor was aware of all these
issues. Mr. Cunningham wondered if all the plantings would be retained near the new propane tank. He suggested removing the existing shrubs and planting something which would grow tall. Ms. Street asked if sealing off one window would be sufficient to block the propane fumes. Mr. Cunningham did not think so and recommended that Mr. White check on this. Mr. White said an alternate location would be on the back side of the chimney. Any condensing units would have to be at least 10ft. away from the propane tank. Ms. Street recommended keeping the condensing unit as far away from the deck as possible because of noise issues. Ms. Buchanan queried the details on the first condenser. Mr. Oppel replied that it would have an Azek fence with a cap on it, 2x top and bottom, bead board, with a shrub in front. Ms. Street asked about hiding the propane tank with shrubbery. Mr. Cunningham replied that it would have to be the size of the tank. He felt a fence would hide it completely and then evergreens would not be needed. Mr. Cunningham added that too many evergreens could be too much. Ms. Buchanan queried exterior lighting. Mr. White replied that it was all in the rear and not visible from the street. No-one spoke for or against the application. Later, during the regular meeting, during discussion Mr. Cunningham said it was not as easy to install bluestone on top of concrete as Mr. White s contractor made out. Since this was not part of the original application Mr. Cunningham felt the Commission should request some documentation. Mr. McCartney agreed with this. Ms. Street suggested tabling this request and have the applicant submit more information. Mr. McCartney then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cunningham, to approve the application as submitted with the following stipulations: 1) The propane tank should be installed on the right side of the building to the rear of the chimney. The applicant is to review proximity of the windows and the necessary requirements. 2) The request for bluestone on the front walk is tabled. This request was not part of the original application and the Commission requests that full details of this project, including sections and installation, be submitted at its next meeting to be held on May 16, 2012. 3) No exterior lighting was requested or approved. If, in the future, lighting is required it must be reviewed with and approved by the subcommittee prior to purchase and installation. 4) Subcommittee appointed is Randall McCartney. The motion to approve was carried unanimously with Cunningham, Street and McCartney voting in favor. #600 - Page Taft Real Estate, to install an awning with corporate signage on it, on a building located at 89 Whitfield Street, Assessor s Map 39, Lot 89: Karen Stephens stated that she wished to have an awning on the outside of the building to give protection from the morning sun and had then thought of adding the company logo to the awning. Ms. Street asked if she had checked the signage allowance and Ms. Stephens replied yes. Mr. Cunningham had concerns about the projection of the awning. Ms. Stephens replied that it came out 3ft. from the building and was 4 6 high. Ms. Buchanan asked if there were any other awnings on the street. Ms. Stephens replied yes, at Breakwater Books and Guilford Food Center. She noted that her awning would not be retractable. Ms. Street asked if it was made out of canvas and Ms. Stephens replied yes. Ms. Street asked if the graphics would be screen printed and Ms. Stephens replied yes. No-one spoke for or against the application. Later, during the regular meeting, Mr. Cunningham made a motion, seconded by Ms. Page 2 of 5
Street, to approve the application as submitted. Subcommittee appointed is Reno Migani. The motion to approve was carried unanimously with Cunningham, Street and McCartney voting in favor. #601-14 Water Street Associates, LLC, renovations and alterations to an existing building located at 102 Broad Street, Assessor s Map 39, Lots 37 and 37A: Present were architect Joseph Bergin and property owner Douglas Anderson. Mr. Bergin reminded the Commission that he had attended the February meeting for informal discussions. He showed drawings of the project, noting that the footprint would be unchanged. Mr. Bergin said he was taking an existing building and dramatically altering it with monumental openings in the masonry, completely fenestrating the front of the building, etc. Photographs of the area were shown. Mr. Bergin said the front of the building would remain as is but he would be fenestrating it. The center portion of the building would be eliminated and set back in order to break the plane of the street façade. A terrace on the second floor will be set back even further. Mr. Bergin mentioned that he had obtained a sample of brick which matched the existing brick really well. He stated that the bay-type windows would continue around the back and that the foundation would be cut down so there would be more brick. Ms. Buchanan queried the roof line. Mr. Bergin replied that it would have the same geometry. Mr. Cunningham asked if there might be plantings on trellises and Mr. Bergin replied yes. Mr. Anderson stated that the project was moving forward as retail/office space so the application to PZC would just be for a slight site plan modification. Double-hung windows will be SDL and Mr. Bergin showed sections of actual windows 2 over 2, aluminum clad with an historic sill. Windows will be 2 6 x 4. Awnings will be cloth and there will be wood shingles on the front portion of the building. Mr. Bergin also showed samples of the actual moldings. Ms. Street queried the time frame. Mr. Anderson replied that he would like to start this summer and estimated the project would take 10-12 months. The Commission briefly discussed lighting. Mr. Bergin said this would be marker lighting more than lighting the street. However, there may be internal lighting that could spill out. There will be a gutter system at the eave with a downspout. Ms. Street asked if signage would be applied for later and Mr. Anderson replied yes. He added that he would like to work with a subcommittee on details of the project that changed as it progressed. No-one spoke for or against the application. Later, during the regular meeting, the Commission was very much in favor of this proposal. Ms. Street made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCartney, to approve the application as submitted with the following stipulations:- 1) All materials, exterior lighting, landscaping and signage must be reviewed with and approved by the subcommittee prior to purchase and installation. 2) Any significant changes to the project must be reviewed with and approved by the subcommittee prior to being carried out. 3) Subcommittee appointed is Ann Street and William Thompson. The motion to approve was carried unanimously with Cunningham, Street and McCartney voting in favor. The public hearing was closed at 8:15p.m. and was followed immediately by the regular meeting. Page 3 of 5
REGULAR MEETING Approval of Minutes: Mr. Cunningham made a motion to accept the Minutes of 21 st March, 2012. Ms. Street seconded the motion and it was carried with 3 votes in favor. Mr. McCartney abstained since he was not present at the March meeting. Public Forum: 1) Sara Nelson, 46 Graves Avenue, said that in the past there had been talk of forming a third historic district but this did not happen because it was not supported. She said several people were interested again in resurrecting this. Ms. Nelson said the State Historic Preservation Office had been contacted about having homes as historic properties versus having an historic district. She stated that she had talked to Mary Dunne at the State who had suggested expanding the Town Center Historic District. Ms. Nelson said she had expressed the concern that if an historic district was reopened there was a risk of losing the whole district. However, Ms. Dunne said this would not happen because the only people who voted on the expansion were the people who were being added to it, not all the residents within the entire district. Ms. Nelson circulated copies of information that Ms. Dunne had provided to her, noting that the same process would be followed as before with 66% of votes needed to approve the expansion, etc. A study committee would have to be formed made up of members of the current Historic District Commission. A resident has agreed to underwrite the cost of the study report. Ms. Nelson submitted a copy of a letter signed by residents requesting that a study committee be formed. She added that she would like a letter of support from the Commission to take to the Board of Selectmen. After brief discussion the Commission agreed to write a letter of support. Certified Local Government Issues Town Hall Windows: Tabled. Correspondence: National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Forum 2012, July 18-22, 2012, Norfolk, VA; Finance Department budget report through 3/30/12. Public Relations: Tabled. Commission Openings: Tabled. Approval of Bills: Mr. McCartney made a motion to approve the following bills: Shore Publishing, legal notice 3/21/12, $36.59; Katharine Stewart, secretarial services. Ms. Street seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously. Unfinished Certificates of Appropriateness: 1) #554 John Hodson, 180 State, expires 10/19/11 garage: Ms. Buchanan reported that the air-conditioning lines had been located along the back of the garage. When she requested that this be changed she was told it could not be done. However, when Mr. Thompson made a site visit the contractor agreed to make the required changes. Regarding the applicant s request to add a cupola to the garage, Ms. Buchanan said Mr. Migani had made a site Page 4 of 5
inspection and then felt this would be acceptable. Ms. Street asked if he was aware of all the landscaping proposed and Ms. Buchanan said yes. After discussion the Commission agreed to write to the applicant saying it would like to see the project further along before making any decision on the cupola. It was also agreed that since this was not part of the original application, a new application would have to be filed for the cupola. 2) #594 Michael Brechlin/Carmine Liguori, 65-67 Whitfield, expires 2/20/13 signs/lighting: Ms. Buchanan said that this applicant had tonight given her an actual lamp which he proposed using which she had in her car. After the meeting Commission members looked at the lamp fixture and felt it would be acceptable. 3) #593 John Carles, 35 State, expires 3/20/13 access door: Mr. McCartney reported that he had visited Mr. Carles. He noted that the house was a mixture of elements with half height Dutch doors with window panels which were a security risk. Mr. McCartney said Mr. Carles planned to replace two of these doors which were not visible from the street, and was concerned that if he took away the light in his new access door it would be fairly dark. Therefore, although the Commission approved a solid access door Mr. Carles wished to have a panel door with 4 lites across the top, similar to the door at 7 Union Street, with black or dark bronze door knobs. Mr. McCartney said he had approved this request and submitted a catalogue cut for the new door. Ms. Street asked how it would line up with the existing windows. Mr. McCartney replied that he had told Mr. Carles he would have to meet all the other requirements in his Certificate of Appropriateness and Mr. Carles had agreed to do so. Mr. McCartney said he would check on this later. #597 Town of Guilford, 31 Park, expires 3/20/13 communication tower: Mr. Cunningham stated that the island which was going to be removed to accommodate this project had an existing light pole in it. He agreed to look into this matter. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15p.m. The next meeting of the Historic District Commission will be held on Wednesday 16 th May, 2012 at 7:00p.m. in the Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, Katharine Stewart Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5