03/17/2025 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 17, 2025 Opening: The regular meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Chairperson John Boecker was provided. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Mr. Boecker Present Mr. Carroll, Vice Chair Present Mr. Stevenson Present Mr. Testa Present Ms. Pessagno Present Ms. Wilson-Stridick Present Mr. Hammeran Present Mr. Johnson (Alternate 1) Present Mr. Kurtz (Alternate II) Present Also Present: Chris Gillin-Schwartz, Esq., HPC Solicitor, Judith Decker, HPC Secretary, Councilmember Mayor Lorraine Baldwin. MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Hammeran to approve the Minutes dated February 10, 2025, seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Pessagno. Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve the Minutes dated February 20, 2025, seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Pessagno. PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion made by Ms. Wilson Stridick to pay the March bills seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. RESOLUTIONS White, 1623 New Jersey Avenue, Block 1186, Lots 4 & 5 – Resolution 2025-05 Jersey Development Group LLC, 359 Congress Street, Block 1031, Lot 2.02 – Resolution 2025-06 Roth & Reinhart, 1250 Lafayette Street, Block 1129, Lot 21 – Resolution 2025-07 Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve Resolutions 2025-05 through 2025-07 seconded by Mr. Hammeran and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Pessagno. APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW HPC Minutes March 17, 2025 1 Beachfront Ventures, 725 Columbia Avenue, 1066/13, Contributing - Partial siding, exposure must match existing City of Cape May, 405 Lafayette Street, 1046/7, Key Contributing – Recess and rehang front doors for safety, railings to remain Claytor, 1515-1519 New Jersey Avenue, 1175/7, Contributing – Denied – incomplete since 2024 Costan, 1253 Washington Street, 1129/23, Non-contributing – Replacing rear deck in kind, must be all wood Hall, 529-531 Elmira Street, 1061/11, Contributing – Roofing, asphalt in kind King’s Cottage Cape May LLC, 118 Decatur Street, 1041/8, Contributing – Fence, 6” posts recommended Lokal Stockton LLC, 5-9 Stockton Place, 1064/17, Contributing – Second floor rear condensers, lattice buffer Marquis de Lafayette Condo Association, 501 Beach Avenue, 1047/1, Non-contributing – Repour second floor concrete decking Meeker, 704 Benton Avenue, 1069/2, Contributing – Fence, ‘Spaced Picket’ with ‘New England’ cap approved Mermaid Restaurant LLC, 702 Beach Avenue, 1000/35 CL-02, Not Rated – Roof Sign Monaghan, 216 North Street, 1030/5, Contributing – Replace asbestos siding with wood, roofing, folded edge on metal roofing Moreira & Barron, 24 Jackson Street, 1034/6, Contributing – Replace thirteen wood windows, repair windows Scott, 9 Jackson Street, 1041/16 C315, Non-contributing – Rooftop condenser Wiederseim, 509 Franklin Street, 1076/6, Contributing – Replace wood fence with matching original iron fencing Wilson & Hewitt, 107 North Street, 1026/23, Contributing – Denied – Incomplete application since 2024 XCG Properties LLC, 904 Stockton Avenue, 1081/2, Contributing – Restore chimney, must match existing 519 Franklin Street LLC, 519 Franklin Street, 1051/5, Contributing – Remove two non-contributing windows, condensers Schiff Enterprises, 324-326 Washington Street, 1036/1, Contributing – Rooftop condenser Motion made by Ms. Wilson Stridick to ratify the applications approved or denied in review seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Testa and Mr. Boecker from City of Cape May only. Mr. Boecker read the Purpose Statement for the work of the HPC as developed by the Alignment Workshop: To serve as a catalyst for guiding and valuing Cape May’s historical, cultural, and natural resources in ways that inspire and unite our community to steward these resources for the benefit of all, so that present and future generations continue to express the unique quality of life in this place we love. Mr. Boecker announced a change in the agenda: Burton, 302 Howard Street, has been adjourned to the April 21 meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT: Shade Tree Commission Chair (STC) Jay Schatz distributed the enabling ordinance for the STC, emphasizing that STC and HPC are working for the same goals. Mr. Boecker gave Mr. Schatz the recently amended HPC application including STC requirements. OLD BUSINESS: ADIS, Inc – 1317 Beach Avenue, Block 1146, Lots 6-24, Non-contributing Reconstruction of hotel wing, new event center Attorney Keith Davis and architect Bill McClees returned to HPC seeking final approval following site plan approval from the Planning Commission (Resolution No. 07-09-2024: 1). Mr. McClees responded to the HPC Conceptual letter dated April 22, 2024, reviewing the landscape plans on sheet L-1 and stating the STC supported the plan commenting that shade trees along New Jersey Avenue to remain. The garage frontage and painted aluminum rolling gate on sheet 521 and brick water table on sheets A5-22, HPC 2. 02, 2.03, and 2.04 were reviewed. Siding will be Hardie Board on the new wing and shutters will be custom sized and louvered with shutter dogs. HPC was satisfied with the proposal including the landscape buffer and thanked the applicant for working with HPC. Discussion ensued regarding a deed recording for the landscape buffer with Mr. Davis objecting and HPC in favor. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to grant final approval conditional that the proposed landscape buffer along New Jersey Avenue shall be installed in connection with the development and be maintained by the HPC Minutes March 17, 2025 2 applicant, or their successor, in perpetuity, unless otherwise modified by subsequent action by the HPC or the Planning Board seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Motion made by Mr. Testa that the applicant shall record notice of this condition with the Cape May County Clerk’s Office in favor of the city seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Granados & Roux – 500-502 West Perry Street, Block 1032, Lot 2, Contributing Garage Reconstruction Seeking final approval, Architect Douglas Guseman, The Hyland Group, certified via email by the owner to testify, presented the plan to rebuild a detached garage in the same footprint as the original garage. HPC approval for the demolition was granted via Resolution 2024-20. The proposal for a new garage received conceptual approval May 20, 2024. As the original location was on the property line, a setback variance was subsequently issued by the Zoning Board. The only change from the conceptual approval is a widening of the garage door to 8’ as per HPC recommendation. HPC favored the plan. Mr. Boecker requested a cut sheet for the lighting fixtures. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval conditional upon the garage door elevation on Sheet A101 and submission of the cut sheet for the lighting fixtures seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Ocean Club Hotel CM LLC - 1035 Beach Avenue, Block 1101, Lot 2, Non-contributing Metal Awning Manager Neil Berger, Director of Operations, appeared seeking final approval for a plan to install a metal framed canvas awning to seasonally cover the front patio following informal meetings with HPC. HPC noted that at 168” X 54” the awning was large; discussion ensued. HPC was concerned with missing details. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant conceptual approval conditional upon verification that the aluminum frame would be painted, written verification by the Zoning Officer that the plan is compliant, a cut sheet for the canvas fabric with the scalloped edge and a dimensional floor plan of the patio and awning seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Howard – 119A Stockton Place, Block 1065, Lot 1 C-01, Contributing DeLisle – 119B Stockton Place, Block 1065 Lot 2 C-02, Contributing Replace Roofing Owners of 119B Stockton Place Maurice & Katherine DeLisle appeared with Kevin Alberto of Veterans Roofing representing Howards at 119A. Revised applications were distributed to HPC seeking final for asphalt roofing replacement. The DeLisles stated that 119B has always had asphalt roofing but wood shingles were discovered under the rear roof of 119A. Mr. Boecker recited page 21 of the Standards. It was agreed that it was not feasible to replace the wood shingles. The applicants stated that both sides desire asphalt shingles and HPC decided that replacement with asphalt shingles would not threaten the Contributing status of the properties. HPC Minutes March 17, 2025 3 Motion made by Mr. Hammeran to grant final approval for both 119A and 119B Stockton Place conditional upon tax certification for 119A Howard seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. NEW BUSINESS: Kimsey – 290 Windsor Avenue, Block 1023, Lot 6, Contributing Solar Panels Owners David & Donna Kimsey presented a plan to add six additional solar panels to their house on a low pitch roof not visible from the street. Mr. Boecker submitted additional photos that he took confirming that the panels cannot be viewed from the streets. Mr. Boecker cited page 51 regarding the supply lines matching the color of the house. Motion made by Mr. Hammeran to grant final approval conditional upon a revision of the application for six panels rather than eight with the conduit lines to be screened and match the color of the house seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Beatty & Gorman – 1142 Washington Street, Block 1110, Lot 28, Contributing Side & Rear Addition Owners Mike Beatty & Deborah Gorman appeared with Architect Catherine Lorentz seeking final approval for a one story shed roofed east side addition, a rear screened porch with roof deck and door, removal of a rear bay window and add 1/1 all wood windows, brick veneered foundation walls, Existing front columns and railings will be replicated in the rear. No Zoning Board review is needed. Several commissioners noted that side additions are not appropriate on contributing buildings and might alter the contributing status. Ms. Lorentz noted that a landscaped buffer exists, and the addition is recessed 14’4” from the front façade of the house. The applicants agreed with an HPC suggestion that the front porch steps be restored into the right-hand bay. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant conceptual approval conditional upon restoring the front porch steps in the righthand bay, reconfiguration of the east side kitchen windows, relocating the condenser to the rear with screening, the shower stall details, and recessing the south wall of the screened porch seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-1. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: Mr. Hammeran. Those abstaining: none. Drake – 17 Broadway, Block 1018, Lot 20, Contributing Enclose Rear Porch Architect Catherine Lorentz, certified via email by the owner to testify, sought final approval for a plan to add a 40 square foot addition to the southeast first floor rear corner of the building. All siding, soffits and two new windows will be all wood. The appearance of the porch roof will not be affected by enclosing this section of the rear porch. Motion made by Mr. Hammeran to grant final approval seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Hammeran, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC Public comment was opened at 8:42 p.m. and closed at 8:42 p.m. with no public comment. DISCUSSION HPC Minutes March 17, 2025 4 Proposed Off-street Storage Amendment – Planning Commission Meeting March 25 Mr. Stevenson agreed to present at the meeting with Mr. Boecker in attendance. HPC Special Meeting – Historic District Map Mr. Boecker determined to re-start the process of updating the local historic district. The Solicitor explained the approval process and has drafted a letter with the chair to be sent to affected residents. A date for a public meeting was tentatively set for June 9, 2025. HPC Special Meetings – Alignment Workshops Mr. Boecker proposed identifying activities for 2025 and setting another Alignment meeting. No date was set. Zoning Board Appeal Hearing - March 27, 6 p.m. - Kliewe, 501 Hughes Street Mr. Gillan-Schwartz announced that he will be arguing that on behalf of HPC at that meeting. New Jersey State Historic Preservation Conference – June 4 & 5 Chair Boecker advised that HPC members attend if possible. Mr. Hammeran asked if HPCs have policing powers. Mr. Gillan-Schwartz noted that the HPC Compliance Officer was hired for that reason. There was a discussion on derelict properties in the historic district. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Pessagno at 9:10 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 March 17, 2025 5