02/06/2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Historic Preservation Commission Minutes City Hall Auditorium February 6, 2023 - 6:00 p.m. OPENING: In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. If any member has reason to believe that this meeting is being held in violation of this Act they should state so at this time. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Mr. Coupland, Chairperson Absent Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Present Ms. Campbell Present Mr. Cogswell Present Ms. Pessagno Present 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 MINUTES: January 9, 2023 Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve the January 9, 2023 Minutes seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno. RESOLUTIONS: 409 Elmira LLC, 409 Elmira Street, Block 1060, Lot 33 - Resolution #2023-02 Formica, 1125 New York Avenue, Block 1117, Lots 22, 23, 24 - Resolution #2023-03 Mahalo Cape May LLC, 1033 Beach Avenue, Block 1101, Lot 1 - Resolution #2023-04 Smith, 925 Columbia Avenue, Block 1090, Lot 40.01 - Resolution #2023-05 Swain, 1211 Lafayette Street, Block 1061, Lot 84.01 - Resolution #2023-06 Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve Resolutions #2023-02 through #2023-06 , seconded by Ms. Wilson- Stridick and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno. APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW: Adams, 339 Congress Street, 1031/80, 81, Non-contributing - Roof, siding, doors Brader, 601 St. James Place Unit 601, 1061/68 C-601, Non-contributing - HVAC Cape S Cape II LLC, 305 S. Broadway, 1027/26, Contributing - Sidewalk Chamberlin Hospitality Group, 25 Jackson Street, 1041/28, Contributing - Porch enclosure, roof cupola Congress Hall LLC, 251 Beach Avenue, 1028/1.01, Key Contributing – Repair windows, columns Ervine, 1206 Union Street, 1113/17, Contributing - Roof Groetsch Partnership II LLC, 801-805 Beach Avenue, 1067/11, Contributing – Roof Henery, 413 Clay Street, 1061/64.03, Non-contributing - Pool, fence Hood, 123 Decatur Street, 1041/1, Contributing - Remove chimney Neligan, 701 Benton Avenue, 11070/1, Contributing - Restore front porch Perry Street Associates LLC, 29 Perry Street, 1034/21, 22, 23 - Contributing - Porch decking, steps, railings Ray, 322 Jefferson Street, 1073/9, Contributing - Roof 1 HPC Minutes February 6, 2023 Shumeko, 1331 New Jersey Avenue, 1147/22, Non-contributing - Roof Stridick, 24 Congress Street, 1024/5, Key Contributing - Patio, fence, awning Wigs Cherry LLC, 34 Jackson Street, 1034/3 C-01, C-02, Contributing - Treads, landing plate Zulick, 240 Windsor Avenue, 1022/4, Contributing - Deck stairs Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the Applications Approved in Review seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick and Mr. Testa from 24 Congress Street. NEW BUSINESS: City of Cape May – Block 1106 to Block 1185 Sea Wall Project Mayor Zack Mullock thanked HPC for their work in Cape May. Mayor Mullock, Deputy Manager Louis Belasco with Richard Maloney and Ian Walczak of Colliers Engineering & Design presented the plan. The Mayor introduced the project to raise the seawall from “Kiwanis Club to the Army Corp project at Wilmington”. Funding will come from the city, county, and federal government. He explained that the former proposal was rejected by the SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) due to materials and design. The Army Corp is now ready to adopt the new proposal. Mr. Walczak presented the new design to replace the existing timber bulkhead in kind and add a gently sloping vegetated sand area planted with native grasses and pollinators to hide the hardened concrete core of the seawall with the walkway to be 40’ from the street. The entire eastern length of the walkway will feature concrete bench seating with a stamped back to resemble a wood bulkhead that will add 2.5’ for a total 15’ height for the new seawall raised from the existing height of 8.5’or 9.5’. ADA ramps will be utilized for universal access, bike racks will be installed, and a brushed aluminum railing is proposed. Accesses that currently have steps with remain. Discussion followed with HPC comments. Mr. Testa made a motion that HPC favors the seawall project as presented with a detailed written advisory report to be submitted by a subcommittee appointed by the Chair seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7- 0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Testa volunteered to head the subcommittee. Mayor Mullock agreed to work out the railing details with HPC. OLD BUSINESS: Yacht Harbor Marine LLC – 1505 Yacht Avenue, Block 1160, Lots 6, 6.01, 7, Non-contributing Seven New Condominium Units and Site Improvements Architect John Halbruner, Highland Group, was present seeking final approval. Mr. Halbruner reported that the plan was approved by the Zoning Board following conceptual HPC approval with no changes to the proposal for seven new townhouse units in two buildings with ground floor garages and three living stories above. Building materials, size, and location are unchanged as: a full dimension jumbo brick base, Hardi board horizontal siding with a 10” reveal, 3’ deep overhangs with brackets, cedar roofing with 1” tall finished standing seam accent roofs, Intex trims, Jeld Wen wood windows, and mahogany front doors. The existing Non-contributing house will remain onsite. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to grant final approval conditional upon a 1” standing seam metal roof with 45- degree bend over at the down roof end and full dimension brick over concrete block seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. 2 HPC Minutes February 6, 2023 Wehmeyer – 1624 New Jersey Avenue, Block 1185, Lot 10.02, Non-contributing Front Porch and Paver Driveway Architect Joseph Ross reported that a variance for a front yard pool was denied at the Zoning Board so changes were made to the driveway with two parking spaces with all other plans remaining the same since HPC Conceptual approval granted last year. A 16’ 2-story front porch with steps will be added to add character to the home. HPC suggested using red brick rather than faux stone on the piers. Mr. Ross offered the use of random sandstone veneer as an alternative since it is indigenous to south Jersey. The view rails were discussed. Mr. Ross will submit a railing detail for review committee. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval conditional upon the use of red brick or sandstone, the folded end metal roof, and all conditions to be satisfied with submission of full plans to the review committee seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Ross announced his retirement after 26 years in Cape May and 480 projects, many in Cape May by design. He stated that it was a privilege to work with the HPC board and staff over the years, in particular Mr. Corbin and Mr. Carroll. He received a round of applause. NEW BUSINESS: Fernando – 729 Washington Street, Block 1079, Lots 6 & 10, Contributing Rear Addition, Windows, Repair Front Façade, Pavers Architect Catherine Lorentz appeared with owners Maria & Rohan Fernando. Ms. Lorentz presented the project to demolish the existing rear one story additions, extend the 2-story rear addition to include a screened porch, patio, outdoor shower, and rear 2nd story balcony. The original c1872 house will remain with in kind repairs to or replacement of the front porch columns and other elements, the asbestos siding will be retained but third floor windows will be replaced in kind. Proposed on the addition are: asphalt and raised seam metal roofs, Jeld Wen wood primed windows, brick paver pathways, and a brick veneer foundation. HPC favored the project and noted that corner boards would distinguish the addition from the house and asked for railing details. All new shutters will be operative Timberlane, if replaced. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval conditional upon the brick veneer foundation to match the original, adding vertical trim boards where the addition meets the house and railings to be reviewed in committee seconded by Mrs. Wilson Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. KG III LLC – 1215 Lafayette Street, Block 1061, Lot 87 – Contributing Relocate Deck Stairs, Decking, Railings The applicant was not present. Mr. Cogswell and Mr. Boecker briefed HPC on the project. The Solicitor suggested a motion to deny to re-submit with fees waived. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval seconded by Mr. Cogswell. The motion failed 0-7. Those in favor: none. Those opposed: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll. Those abstaining: none. Drake – 17 Broadway, Block 1018, Lot 20 – Contributing Detached Garage Owner Robert Drake and Planner Paul Drake proposed a new rear detached 2-car garage. They propose to remove all existing concrete in the rear yard and install pavers. The plan must go to the Zoning Board for lot coverage. Proposed was: a 25’ X 24’ “recreation” garage with shed dormers and a gable end balcony, an asphalt roof, Hardi plank siding, 3 HPC Minutes February 6, 2023 Azek trim, a 6-panel sliding glass door in one bay and a standard garage door in the second bay, various sized Pella fiberglass windows, a French door, and a fiberglass door. Lighting details were included. HPC confirmed that plumbing is not permitted in accessory structures. HPC agreed that the design and materials were not appropriate for a Contributing house. They suggested that the design replicate the house design with wood windows and trims. Mr. Boecker suggested specific design changes. The applicant agreed to make changes, extend the time constraints, and return. Motion made by Mr. Testa to table the application with a time extension seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC A comment period was opened the public at 8:43 p.m. and closed at 8:43 p.m. with no comment. DISCUSSION HPC Draft Application Form Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. Coupland is still completing the project. Grant Updates Ms. Campbell reported that a CLG grant application was submitted to SHPO to make short videos about Cape May for public information to augment the Design Standards update. Zoning Board of Review Committee – Ordinance Proposal Mr. Fineberg discussed the draft revised ordinance distributed to HPC to discuss at the next meeting. The purpose of the proposals is to deal with issues that need clarification of the Standards. HPC Training 2023 Mr. Carroll asked that HPC complete the SHPO Zoom webinar distributed recently by email. Please send the confirmation to Ms. Decker. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 8:48 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 4 HPC Minutes February 6, 2023