01/09/2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes January 9, 2023 Opening: The regular meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Vice Chairperson Tom Carroll at 6:00 p.m. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting was provided. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Mr. Coupland, Chairperson Absent Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Present Ms. Campbell Absent Mr. Cogswell Present Ms. Pessagno Absent Ms. Wilson-Stridick Present Mr. Testa Present Mr. Stevenson (Alt. 1) Present Mr. Boecker (Alt. 2) Present Also Present: Robert Fineberg, Esq., HPC Solicitor, Judith Decker, HPC Secretary Oaths of Office Solicitor Fineberg swore in Commissioners Joseph Stevenson, Janice Wilson Stridick and James Testa. REORGANIZATION Appointment of Chairperson: Motion made by Mr. Carroll to appoint Warren Coupland as the Chairperson to the Commission for the year 2023 seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Appointment of Vice Chairperson: Motion made by Mr. Testa to appoint Tom Carroll as the Vice Chairperson to the Commission for the year 2023 seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Appointment of Legal Advisor/Solicitor to the Commission: Motion made by Mr. Testa to appoint Robert Fineberg, Esquire, as Legal Advisor/Solicitor to the Commission for the year 2023. Seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Designation of Official Newspaper: Motion made by Mr. Cogswell for approval of the Cape May Star & Wave as the Official Newspaper of the Commission for the year 2023. Seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. HPC Minutes January 9, 2023 1 Designation of Meeting Dates and Time: Motion made by Mr. Boecker to approve the advertised meeting dates for the Commission for the year 2023 and January 2024 seconded by Cogswell and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Appointment of a Rotating Member Review Committee: Motion made by Mr. Carroll for a rotating Member Review Committee for the Historic Preservation Commission seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the November 21, 2022, Minutes as amended on January 9, 2023, seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. RESOLUTIONS Marks, 821 Washington Street, 1092/20, 21, 22, Resolution #2022-52 Hobrow, Inc., 301 South Beach Avenue, 1014/13, Resolution #2022-53 Appointment of Solicitor to the Commission – Resolution #2023-01 Motion made by Mr. Boecker to approve Resolutions #2022-52, Resolution #2022-53 and Resolution #2023-01 seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW Ator, 235 Windsor Avenue, 1026/36, Contributing – HVAC Berenato, 432 Congress Street, 1027/2, Non-contributing – Roof, siding, canopy, door Bocella, 544 Elmira Street, 1054/3, Contributing – Roof Booth, 517 Broad Street, Unit A, 1054/13 C-1, Contributing – HVAC Cape May Marlin & Tuna Club Inc, 1390 Lafayette Street, 1145/8, Non-contributing – Change of materials Cape Roc Condos, 1520 New Jersey Avenue, 1174/5 C-1 to C-325, Non-contributing – Roof Carneys, 411 Beach Avenue, 1041/23, Contributing – Rear roof Carr, 957 Sewell Avenue, 1089/26, Non-contributing – Roof Cataldo, 1109 Washington Street, 1113/32, Non-contributing – Fence Chalfonte Partners Inc, 301 Howard Street, 1071/7, Key Contributing – Partial roof Chew, 401 Lafayette Street, 1046/8, Non-contributing- Siding and trim DeFalco, 114 Decatur Street, 1041/9, Contributing - Pavers DeMarco, 26.5 Congress Street, 1024/3, Contributing – HVAC Finkelstein, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, 1130/3, Non-contributing – Railings Fiske & Etal, 1012 Stockton Avenue, 1095/2, Contributing - Lattice Four Brothers of Cape May LLC, 14 Patterson Avenue, 1018/6, Non-contributing – HVAC Gamble, 933 Washington Avenue, 1094/14, Contributing – HVAC Gartland, 1253 Lafayette Street, 1061/101.02, Non-contributing – HVAC platform Heitman, 907 Golf Lane, 1111/5, Non-contributing – Brick driveway Henery, 413 Clay Street, 1061/64.03, Non-contributing - Condenser Horvath, 200 Madison Avenue, 1097/6.02 & 7, Contributing – Patio, pool, detached garage JF Equities LLC, 22 Jackson Street, 1034/7, Contributing – Roof Kane, 809 Kearney Street, 1069/8, Contributing – Porch decking and steps Kejzman Hospitality Group LLC, 103 Howard Street, 1067/1, Not Rated – Roof, siding Lazan, 609 Columbia Avenue, 1057/22, Contributing – Window, siding HPC Minutes January 9, 2023 2 Marquis de Lafayette Hotel Condo Assn, 501 Beach Avenue, 1047/1 C-100 to C-610, Non-contributing – ADA ramp Martino, 609 Beach Avenue 1056/13.01, Non-contributing - Railings McBride, 11 Decatur Street, 1047/8, Contributing – Roof rear cottage McCall, 1233 Washington Street, 1129/14.01, Contributing - Roof Nuschke, 924 Washington Avenue, 1093/7, Contributing – Door, siding O’Hara, 409 Congress Street, 1032/15, Non-contributing – Roof Pomeroy, 17 Jefferson Street, 1081/28, Contributing - Window Priester, 511 Franklin Street, 1076/5, Contributing – Roof Roberts, 832 Lafayette Street, 1092/9, Contributing – Windows, door, railings Rosenberger, 822 Stockton Avenue, 1067/3, Contributing – Deck Seashore S Cape LLC, 821 Stockton Avenue, 1068/14, Not Rated – Fence Sidell, 1112 Washington Street, 1110/15, Contributing - Roof Varady, 289 Windsor Avenue, 1027/22, Contributing – Windows Von Seekam, 1505 New Jersey Avenue, Non-contributing - Fence Ward, 731 Columbia Avenue, 1066/11, Contributing – Roof Wardell Trust, 819 Benton Avenue, 1073/19, Not Rated – Pavers Winger, 416 Perry Street, 1031/13, Contributing – Condenser Zelman, 514 Hughes Street, 1048/2.01, Contributing - Windows 412 Cape May Walking Mall LLC, 412 Washington Street, 1042/8, Contributing - Roof 921 Cape May LLC, 921 Beach Avenue, 1081/19, Key Contributing – Porch posts, railings Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the applications approved in review seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson Stridick from 26.5 Congress Street, Mr. Testa from 1501 New Jersey Avenue, Mr. Stevenson from 432 Congress Street, Mr. Boecker from 1109 Washington Street. OLD BUSINESS 409 Elmira LLC – 409 Elmira Street, Block 1060, Lot 33, Non-Contributing New 3-story mixed use building Attorney Anthony Monzo, Architect Louis DeLosso and Owner Joseph Shulte returned with an amended application seeking final approval following previous hearings with HPC (Historic Preservation Committee). Mr. Monzo explained that the building height was reduced from 37’to 31’11”, more windows were added to the south side, dormer design was amended as suggested, a deck expansion was eliminated, bollards and front landscaping were added. Planning Board approved the plan with variances, including parking; signs and site lighting are being finalized with Engineer Hurless. The Planning Board resolution was submitted for the record as exhibit A-1 (No. 12-13-2022:1) and revised plans for signage, lighting and bollards dated 12-22-22 as exhibit A-2. HPC were satisfied with the amended plan thanked the applicant for responding to their concerns. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval conditional upon a return to the HPC review committee when final approvals have been obtained from the Planning Board for landscaping and signage seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Formica – 1125 New York Avenue, Block 1117, Lots 22, 23, 24, Contributing Rear addition Architect Joseph Courter and owners Marybeth and Mike Formica returned seeking final approval for a 20’ rear addition and porch sided with cedar utilizing Jeld Wen non-clad wood windows with an asphalt roof. The plan has been amended with a 12” width setback to both sides of the addition and roofline to distinguish where the addition meets the original house as per HPC request. Mr. Boecker noted that the front bay window, dormer and chimney have been retained, as requested. Mr. Testa asked if a full set of construction plans was necessary for a final approval. HPC Minutes January 9, 2023 3 Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval conditional upon primed wood Jeld Wen windows, CertainTeed wood siding and submission of a final construction plans to the review committee seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mahalo Cape May LLC – 1033 Beach Avenue, Block 1101, Lot 1, Non-contributing Roofs, Facia, Window, Doors, Railings, Decking Architect Steven Tomissetti, Angelo Camano of Christmas Builders and Development Manager for Icona Mark Robbins, returned with an amended plan. Mr. Robbins confirmed that the solar panels were deleted, the hanging valance length was reduced, the railing applique was removed and replaced with Chippendale X pattern section. The pool rain curtain height was confirmed to be 8’ high. HPC was satisfied with the plan. The applicant confirmed that the standing seam metal roof would be 1” high. Applicants did not confirm the roof color but stated that it would be a matte finish. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to grant final approval conditional upon modifications to the metal roof to be no more than a 1” seam with a “45-degree bend over” edge seconded by Ms. Wilson-Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Robins asked about new solar technology options. Mr. Boecker agreed to email him with locations of buildings with new technology rooftop solar systems. HPC and the Solicitor emphasized that solar would not be permitted on Contributing buildings. NEW BUSINESS Smith – 925 Columbia Avenue, Block 109, Lot 41.01, Non-contributing Solar Panels Attorney Josh Fischer, Trinity Solar electrician Kevin Kura, and Engineer Larry Murphy presented the plan to install 12 solar panels on the north-facing shallow pitched rear roof of the house. Mr. Murphy noted that the panels would not be visible from Columbia Avenue and that obstacles and trees obstruct the view from Corgie Street and Page Street. A brief discussion ensued. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to grant final approval as presented seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Madison Cape May RE LLC – 1025-1029 Beach Avenue, Block 1095, Lots 8-13, Non-Contributing & Contributing Sundeck roof, Addition, Guest House Renovation, Landscaping President and CEO of Madison Resorts and owner of Madison Cape May RE LLC Dan Alicea, David Schulz, DAS Architects and Attorney Anthony Monzo presented the plan. Attorney Monzo gave a summary of the proposal for renovations to the 4-story Montreal hotel consisting of an expansion of the restaurant and deck, adding façade improvements, awnings, roofing over an existing 4th floor deck, and renovations to the adjacent Contributing guest house. Owner Dan Alicea expressed his desire to make the property fit in with Cape May including the unique historic “Madison” guest house. In a Power Point presentation, Architect Schultz presented the plan to replace the orange metal roof with a modified bronze metal roof featuring three hip roofed pavilions with an eyebrow sign section on the central pavilion roof, replace all windows, add trim, railings, a ground floor arched arcade, and colossal square applied columns, all to add character to the hotel building. The portion of the restaurant currently under a canopy will be made into a permanent structure with an expanded restaurant roof deck with a relocated bar, lounge area, planters, and a small stage. The elevator tower will be removed. Proposed for the Contributing “Madison” house are: cedar siding replaced in kind and stained cream color, replacing the asphalt roof with a cedar shake roof, wood decks, new HPC Minutes January 9, 2023 4 period correct railings and steps, Wood wright windows with composite trim, and a composite wrapped wood fire escape. The house will have 4 guest suites on the second and third floors and shared kitchen/living/game/dining areas on the first floor. HPC decided to hold two discussions and votes on each building. The applicants noted that they will go to the Planning Board. Mr. Carroll noted that any HPC conceptual approval may be altered by the Planning Board. HPC favored the proposed design for the hotel building and asked that the standing seam roof be folded over on the edge. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to grant conceptual approval for the non-contributing hotel building seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Carroll noted that the circa 1915 building must comply with HPC Standards and confirmed it was zoned multifamily. He noted that parking might be an issue with four units; the applicants stated the intention would be to rent it as one unit with amenities. Mr. Boecker asked if an existing chimney on the south elevation will be retained; the applicant responded that it would. HPC noted that all trim, railings, and windows must be all wood, no composite materials are permitted for contributing structures. The railing systems must be appropriate for this structure. HPC requested existing elevations to compare with new elevations upon return. HPC approved a wood fire escape/stairway following discussion. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant conceptual approval for the contributing “Madison” house conditional upon all windows, stair risers, guard rails, trim, railings, water table, lattice, columns, and column covers be wood, and the chimney retained seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Swain – 1211 Lafayette Street, Block 1061, Lot 84.01, Contributing Addition, Deck, Foundation Veneer, Front steps Attorney Anthony Monzo, Architect Jim McAfee, and owner Terri Swain were present. Mr. Monzo presented the plan to add an 800 square foot rear 2-story addition, a covered 1st floor deck and 2nd floor open deck. Ms. Swain informed the HPC that interior work was begun, and some windows were replaced several years ago; when it was discovered that dormers could not structurally be added to the roof it led them to the addition plan. Three photos were distributed to HPC noted as Exhibits 1, 2 and 3. Mr. McAfee proposed cedar siding to replace existing aluminum siding on the house and on the addition, an asphalt roof, cedar window and door trim, Jeld Wen all wood windows, a cedar railing, brick veneer on all foundations. Exposed rafter tails will be retained, half-round gutters used, and the condenser will be screened. HPC agreed that the addition was modest, although 2’9” taller than the original structure. As the addition is 70’ from the street, distinct as an addition, and buffered by trees, HPC supported the plan. One over one windows were agreed upon and the diamond sash featured in the front façade gable would be retained. Mr. Carroll asked about landscaping plans, which were not submitted. Motion made by Mr. Boecker to grant final approval conditional upon the use of one over one windows, retention of the diamond sash front window and exposed rafter tails and screening the HVAC unit seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC Public comment was opened at 8:14 p.m. Martin Van Walsum, 329 Congress Street, asked when the 2021 survey forms would be approved. Ms. Decker responded that the forms were ready for approval by council. With no comments, Open to the Public was closed at 8:17 p.m. HPC Minutes January 9, 2023 5 DISCUSSION Solicitor Fineberg informed HPC about an upcoming Zoning Board appeal regarding the materials of the retaining wall at Elaine’s patio. The appeal also includes a variance request from the Standards. As this is unusual, HPC members attend to give testimony. He will report further on the matter. Mr. Cogswell passed out a sheet of two concerns: Conceptual approvals and Contributing property roofs. The timeframe of a conceptual approval was discussed. Mr. Fineberg noted that the section of the Zoning Ordinance regarding conceptual approvals does not include a timeframe; the conditions of a conceptual approval are not binding in any way and he did not recommend a timeframe. Discussion ensued. It was agreed that a two-year rule was a reasonable timeframe to maintain conceptual plans in the records. Discussion followed. It was agreed that these issues were addressed in the draft application form to be revisited at the February meeting. Mr. Testa reported that the Zoning Board of Review Committee meeting will be held on January 11. He informed HPC that there was not a Zoom subscription authorized for HPC use. He suggested a motion on the matter of HPC purchasing a Zoom subscription for one year at a cost of approximately $150.00. Mr. Testa made a motion that the HPC purchase a subscription to Zoom seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 8:42 p.m. with all in favor. A verbatim recording of said meeting is available on the City of Cape May website. Respectfully Submitted, Judith E. Decker HPC Secretary HPC Minutes January 9, 2023 6