Long Durational HPC Meeting

The Historic Preservation Commission meeting went on for close to three hours on Friday--a brutal initiation for the HPC's two new members--Kate Johns, the new architect member, and John Schobel, who replaced Peggy Polenberg. Not only was the meeting long, but it dealt with some classically challenging issues for a regulatory board committed to protecting the character and integrity of the city's historic architecture.

The first was the proposal to re-imagine the early 20th-century addition to the mid 19th-century house at 314 Union Street. The plan involves reconfiguring the fenestration of the addition--the size of the windows and their placement--and replacing the vinyl siding now there with corrugated metal siding, on the addition and on a garage on the property.

HPC chair Rick Rector called the proposal for the addition "something unusual." "It's an addition," he said, "but it has its own history." He then reminded members of the HPC of the need for them to judge things on the basis of compatibility with its context. "Is it more attractive? Do I like it?" he asked rhetorically. "We are to protect the historic character of the neighborhood." 

The architect for the project indicated that they were "willing to go with a traditional siding [Hardiplank] just to move ahead, because we've been delayed so long." He was apparently referring to the fact that at its last meeting on July 22 the HPC determined the application to be incomplete. 

HPC member Phil Forman opined that "the building started out as a utilitarian structure, a little bit hidden, vinyl clad, and in disrepair" and noted that the applicant "chose to improve the structure." Rector countered, "There has never been a mention of disrepair."

HPC member Miranda Barry told the applicant, "If we follow the letter of the statute, we have to turn this down," noting that it was changing something that has historic character. She then asked rhetorically, "Can architecture evolve, or must it remain the same?"

Architect member Kate Johns, expressing the desire to see something that "retains the character and is compatible with the original building, asked the applicant, "Is it possible for you to achieve what you want to achieve with a more traditional design?"

In the end, it was agreed that the HPC would hold a public hearing before deciding whether or not to grant a certificate of appropriateness. Forman was the only member of the HPC opposed to holding a public hearing. The public hearing will take place on Friday, August 26, at 10 a.m., at City Hall.

Another challenge was presented by the proposal for 20 South Seventh Street. Decades ago, when all was sacrificed without question to the automobile, a garage door was cut into the facade of this house. Now the plan is to replace the garage doors with plate glass in order to turn the ground floor into retail space and to make the ground floor window at the left a door into the retail space. (The door at the right gives access to a stairway to residential space on the second floor.)

Every member of the commission except Forman, who declared the proposal "an excellent plan," agreed that the application was incomplete because it lacked historic photographs of the building, which is a requirement for all applications.

If there is one thing a historic preservation commission hates, it's being asked to approve the application of vinyl siding to a historic structure, but such a request came before the HPC on Friday. The house, located at 548 State Street, is currently covered with asbestos siding, which is cracking.

The homeowner applying for a certificate of appropriateness appeared with a representative of Residential Specialists, the company that put the vinyl siding on the historic Emanuel Lutheran Church in 2010 and will be installing the vinyl siding here as well.

When asked if any alternative to installing vinyl siding had been considered, the applicant told the HPC that removing the asbestos siding and restoring the clapboard beneath was too costly. What is proposed is a vinyl siding "system" that would encapsulate the asbestos siding and prevent the possibility of hazardous fugitive asbestos dust. The application also included replacing the existing wooden fence with a vinyl fence. At the suggestion of the HPC, the application was revised to include a wooden fence to replace the one there now. The HPC unanimously approved the vinyl siding, but Rector instructed the HPC's legal counsel, Mitch Khosrova, to articulate in the certificate of appropriateness that financial hardship and potential hazard from asbestos dust were the determining factors in the decision to grant a certificate of appropriate. He wanted to make it clear that the decision did not set a precedent and it could not in future be assumed that the HPC would approve the application of vinyl siding in historic districts.

A project that was a joy for the HPC to approve were the plans to stabilize and restore 7 Union Street.

The plans for this remarkable surviving Federal house, which is believed to have been built in 1805, include stabilizing the walls, restoring the existing fabric, including the window sash, replacing the asphalt shingle roof with a standing seam metal roof, and building a new red brick stoop with brownstone treads. For all who have admired this house over the years, what's proposed is a wonderful development. The restoration promises to be exemplary. The house is in good hands.
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