03/18/2024 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 18, 2024 OPENING: The regular meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Chairperson Warren Coupland at 6:02 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 Present Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Present Mr. Boecker Present Mr. Stevenson Present Mr. Testa Present Ms. Pessagno Absent Ms. Wilson-Stridick Present Mr. Johnson (Alternate 1) Present Mr. Hammeran (Alternate 2) Present Also Present: HPC Secretary Judith Decker, Solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz and Deputy Mayor Lorraine Baldwin. MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve the January 8, 2024, and February 15, 2024, Minutes as amended by Mr. Testa on text of the advisory report to include “conditions regarding” seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson Stridick. RESOLUTIONS: None APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW: Babb, 416 Congress Street, 1027/6.02, Non-contributing - Condensers, Platform Cape Island Baptist Church, 115 Gurney Street, 1063/1, Key Contributing - Roofing Cape May Sea Glass Properties LLC, 933 Beach Avenue, 1081/16, Non-contributing - Turret Roofing Cape Motels Inc, 1039 Beach Avenue, 1101/5, Non-contributing - Umbrella Bases Castelton-Console, 217 Perry Street, 1038/5.01, Contributing - Partial Roofing Chamberlain Hospitality Group Inc, 25 Jackson Street, 1041/28, Contributing - Siding Repair Cliver, 1026 New York Avenue, 1102/13, Contributing - Condenser, Platform, Lattice CMC of Cape May LLC, 721 Beach Avenue, 1064/16, Non-contributing - Heat Pumps Conrad, 15 Gurney Street, 1062/10.02, 11, 12, Contributing - Paver Driveway Crane, 1026 New York Avenue, 1102/13, Contributing - Railings, Decking, Condensers Cura, 924 Corgie Street, 1090/28, Contributing - Fence Curtin, 911 Washington Street, 1094/21, Contributing - Pool Location, Fence, Pool Equipment Curtin, 911 Washington Street, 1094/21, Contributing - Parking Spaces Delenick, 10 Congress Street, 1024/7 C-203, Non-contributing - Heat Pump DeMario, 26 Congress Street, 1024/3, 4, Contributing - Window Elaine’s Property Mgmt LLC, 513 Lafayette Street, 1058/13, Contributing - Retaining Wall Change, Windows Gorman, 1142 Washington Street, 1110/28, Contributing - Walkway, Paver Apron Gray Gables Family Trust, 29 Second Street, 1014/25, Non-contributing - Condensers Gulish, 1125 Washington Street, 1113/29, Contributing - Fence Hardin, 1117 Beach Avenue, 1115/24, Key Contributing - Walkway, Paver Driveway Iannacone, 1045 Washington Street, 1112/10, Contributing - Garage Alteration Iannacone, 1045 Washington Street, 1112/10, Contributing - Lighting Plan RES 2023-33 Iannacone, 1045 Washington Street, 1112/10, Contributing - Porch Railings, Balusters, Decking Kimsey, 290 Windsor Avenue, 1023/6, Contributing - Reinstall Solar Panels HPC Minutes March 18, 2024 1 Kukainis, 215 Heritage Lane A-4, 1019/29 C-04, Non-contributing - Heat Pump Lacava, 486 W Perry Street, 1032/7, Contributing - Roofing Lestrange, 11-13 Stockton Place, 1064/18, 19, Non-contributing - Fence Lingg, 110 Jefferson Street, 1068/10, Non-contributing - Porch Stairs, Decking, Railings, Balusters Machin, 111 Ocean Street, 1057/26, Contributing - Porch Roof, Gutters, Downspouts Marks, 821 Washington Street, 1092/20, Contributing - Hitching Post, Step Moca Family Irrevocable Trust, 12 North Street, 1021/3, Contributing - Roofing Only Muscella, 1126 Washington Street, 1110/18, Contributing - Fence, Walkway, Steps Philadelphia Beach Condo Assn, 1107 Beach Avenue, 1115/28 C-01 to C-A3, Non-contributing - Sidewalks Pomeroy, 17 Jefferson Street, 1081/28, Contributing - Decking, Railings Queen Victoria Cape May LLC, 601 Columbia Avenue, 1057/24, Contributing - Roofing Ring, 810 Columbia Avenue, 1074/4, Contributing - Walkway, Shed Rogers, 1275 Lafayette Street, 1061.01/107, Contributing - Roofing Rogers, 201 S Broadway, 1023/26, 27, Contributing - Windows Schell, 201 Windsor Avenue, 1026/25, Contributing - Heat Pump Seashore Cape LLC, 821 Stockton Avenue, 1068/14, Non-contributing - Side Porch Reduction, Stairs Sidell, 1112 Washington Street, 1110/15, Contributing - HVAC, Lattice St. Germain, 1409 New Jersey Avenue, 1162/1.05, Non-contributing - Deck Railings Stomaz Realty LLC, 32 Second Avenue, 1012/3, Non-contributing - Windows, Trims Thorkildsen, 218 Grant Street, 1019/18, Non-contributing - Garden Wall Tsiartsionis, 301 Beach Avenue, 1034/13.02, Non-contributing - Porch Posts, Siding, Rails, Ceiling Wolfe, 828 Lafayette Street, 1092/7, Contributing - Windows, Door Williams, 519 Elmira Street, 1061/8, Contributing - Front Porch XCG Properties LLC, 904 Stockton Avenue, 1081/2, Contributing - Fence 10 Jackson Street LLC, 12 Jackson Street, 1033/1, Contributing - Windows, Shutters, Porch Roofs, Fence 709 Columbia Ave LLC, 709 Columbia Avenue, 1066/18, Contributing - Porch Roof Joists, Columns Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve the applications approved or denied in review seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Boecker from 1125 Washington Street, 1045 Washington Street, 1126 Washington, 1112 Washington Street and Ms. Wilson Stridick from 10 Congress Street and 26 Congress Street. Mr. Coupland announced that the agenda was very long, and all applicants might not be heard by 9:30 p.m., the end point of new business. He suggested that any applicants that would like to continue their applications until April might do so at any time in the meeting. OLD BUSINESS: Watters - 1218 New York Avenue, 1131/11 & 12, Contributing Deck, Windows, Roofing Architect David Schultz, DAS Architects, presented the project for a deck addition and other improvements. He stated that HPC granted Conceptual approval in March 2023 and Zoning Board approval was obtained in September 2023. Mr. Schultz reviewed the project to replace all existing vinyl windows with wood windows, replace the roofing with cedar, use IPR decking on the new deck with wood railings and lattice, brick piers an outdoor shower composed of wood. HPC had questions regarding materials and wood elements. Motion made by Mr. Carroll seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0 to grant final approval conditional upon 75/25 privacy lattice, all wood factory painted non clad windows and 2” balusters with a maximum of 3” spacing between balusters. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Adis, Inc., d/b/a La Mer Beachfront Resort - 1317 Beach Avenue, Block 1146, Lots 6-24, Non-contributing Demolition Representing La Mer were Attorney Keith Davis, NDG, General Manager George Andy, Architect Bill McLees and Margaret Westfield, Expert Witness. Mr. Davis opened by recalling that HPC tabled the demolition request in January 2024. Discussion followed regarding demolition procedures at HPC. Mr. Davis announced that he had a court reporter HPC Minutes March 18, 2024 2 present to create a record. Mr. Davis took testimony from Mr. Andy and Mr. McLees regarding the demolition request and distributed Exhibits A-1, a demolition permit for a former house on New Jersey Avenue, and A-2, a permit to construct a new house on the same site, both dated 2001. It was established that the duplex house proposed for demolition was built in 2001. Mr. McLees presented seven of the Nine Points of Demolition in favor of demolition. Mr. Davis took testimony from Ms. Westfield in support of demolition. Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve demolition of the southwest wing of LaMer’s property seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Discussion followed regarding the demolition of the “beach house” at 1319 New Jersey Avenue. The chair asked for public comment; no one came forward to comment. Discussion ensued. Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve demolition of 1318 New Jersey Avenue seconded by Mr. Stevenson. and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland with the comment that the burden will be on the applicant to demonstrate that the new structure will be sensitive to the neighbors, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick with reservations: although the existing Property Survey was misleading, as Ms. Westfield testified, she disagrees with the applicant’s testimony on item #6, that demolishing the house will not impact the historic district: it removes a transitional buffer element. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Adis, Inc., d/b/a La Mer Beachfront Resort - 1317 Beach Avenue, Block 1146, Lots 6-24, Non-contributing Reconstruct Hotel Wing and Constrict Rear Event Wing Representing La Mer were Attorney Keith Davis, NDG, owner George Andy, General Manager, and Architect Bill McLees presenting a conceptual application for a new banquet room and renovated hotel rooms in the same footprint on the southwest side of the existing structure reducing the hotel rooms from 51 to 50 with a 120’ landscape buffer and one 30’ service driveway replacing three former driveways on New Jersey Avenue. Mr. Davis stated that the banquet room would not be used in the summer season and emphasized the rear façade Pavilion concept reflects the former “beach house”. The applicant agreed submit a landscape plan to HPC. Mr. Testa requested that the landscape plan be memorialized in a covenant and asked if the existing mature trees will be preserved. The applicant stated that healthy street trees will be retained. Ms. Wilson Stridick also emphasized the importance of protecting mature trees as a buffer for streetscape. HPC mentioned that the parking is at maximum on the site; Mr. Davis responded that a C variance for parking will be sought at Planning Board. Discussion ensued. Mr. Boecker objected to the massive blank four-story middle approximately 70’ wide middle section holding the service driveway and two garage doors; HPC agreed they did not favor the driveway/garage section. Following further discussions and suggestions, it was determined to table the application until revisions can be made to address the issues discussed. Motion made by Mr. Testa to table the application until the April 15 HPC meeting conditional upon the landscape plan submission and parking lot screening seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. It was agreed that the applicant would come to a Tuesday morning HPC review committee meeting for consultations. A break was called at 7:58 by the chair and the meeting resumed at 8:00 p.m. Lord - 1239 New York Avenue, Block 1132, Lot 27, Contributing Rear Addition, New Garage, Roof, Dormers, Siding, Windows, Deck and Porch Repair, HVAC Architects Cathrine Lorenz and William Haryslak and owner Tom Lord presented the project for a rear addition that received conceptual approval in April 2023 and Zoning Board approval since then. Ms. Lorentz explained that the dormers had been enlarged since that approval and the client requests a siding change to Hardie Board for the plan for HPC Minutes March 18, 2024 3 a two-story rear addition with elevator. Ms. Lorentz notes that all 6/1 vinyl windows would be replaced with 6/1 wood with an asphalt shingle roof, wood doors, wood lattice, and a paver driveway and paver ramp for the rear basement level elevator access. The new two-story detached garage is proposed to be sided with Hardi Plank. Discussion ensued. In response to questions from Mr. Boecker, it was concerned that the stained-glass transoms would be retained but the chimney would be removed. Following discussion, HPC agreed that they preferred wood siding on both the house and garage but and could accept the removal of the contributing chimneys in this instance as they favored the rest of the restoration plan. Motion made by Mr. Boecker to grant final approval conditional upon the use of horizontal wood clapboard siding with a 4” maximum reveal on the house and garage seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Commissioner Johnson departed the meeting at 8:48 p.m. Mr. Coupland asked if any applicants would be willing to continue their applications to the May 20, 2024, meeting. Representatives for DuHaime & Carroll, 921 Stockton Avenue, announced their decision to continue the application. NEW BUSINESS: Mullock - 808 Corgie Street, 1090/2, Contributing Solar Panels Owner Zack Mullock presented the plan to install rooftop solar panels and distributed specifications for the solar panels. Mr. Mullock stated that none of the solar panels are visible from the street with no inverter on the house. Mr. Coupland advised that lines running down the house must be enclosed by wood. Discussion followed. Motion made by Mr. Boecker to grant final approval as presented conditional upon the electric lines be covered seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Itzkowitz - 911 Madison Avenue, 1111/12, Contributing Roofing Attorney Peter Chacanias, Owner Joe Itzkowitz and Contractor Mike Petz were present. Mr. Chacanias reported that the project was replacing asphalt roofing in kind but confirmed that there were three layers of asphalt roofing over cedar shakes, but the addition was always sheathed in asphalt. Discussion ensued. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval conditional upon replacement of the roofing on the front porch and original structure with cedar shingles and asphalt shingles on the rear addition only with an aerial roof plan identifying materials for each section of the roof submitted to the Review Committee for approval seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Drake - 325 Congress Street, 1031/60, Contributing Side Addition, Screened Porch, Driveway Paver Strips Mr. Stevenson Recused himself from the application at 9:15 p.m. Architect Paul Farnan appeared with owner Thomas Drake with a project to amend Resolution 2022-09 to extend the second-floor rear dormers and add a new side screened porch. Discussion followed. HPC objected to the clad windows proposed and asked for a landscape plan. Motion made by Mr. Coupland to grant final approval conditional upon applicant submitting a landscaping plan and window cut sheets for approval by the review committee seconded by Mr. Boecker HPC Minutes March 18, 2024 4 and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Stevenson returned to the meeting. Lawrence A. Pray Builders Inc. - 523 Bank Street, 1054/22, Non-Contributing New House Kevin Olandt, Project Designer at Fenwick Architects and Builder Lawrence Pray proposed construction of a two-story new house on an empty lot. Discussion followed with suggestions from HPC for plan improvements. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for conceptual approval conditional upon moving the second floor front windows apart so the hinged faux shutters can appear operational, shutters to be added to the side elevations, one single pane window to be moved to the front façade next to the front door, a 6’ wood fence with a lattice top to drop to 4’ at the sides of the house with a gate seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6- 0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC Public comment was opened at 10:00 p.m. and closed at 10:00 p.m. with no individuals coming forward to comment. DISCUSSION Payment of Bills - Mr. Coupland announced that he signed. New Jersey Historical Commission Award Mr. Carroll announced that HPC received an award from New Jersey on March 5 in Trenton for the new Historic Design Standards and the public participation outreach. The Center for Community Arts also received an award for their community engagement and publication of Black Voices of Cape May. Mr. Carroll was in attendance along with Commissioner Wilson Stridick, Manager Paul Dietrich, Consultant Steven Smolyn, AIA, and Secretary Judith Decker. Mr. Coupland could not attend but will present the award to the City Council. National Historic Landmark Meeting - African American Civil Rights Grant Mr. Coupland reported that the meeting for consideration of amending the National Historic Landmark District to include the African American designation was held on March 15 presented by Andrea Tingey of the SHPO; he wrote a letter of support but was unable to attend. Mr. Boecker reported that he attended with Ms. Campbell and Mayor Mullock and it was approved after a long discussion with some edits required that will be completed by Ms. Tingey. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Janice Wilson Stridick at 10:15 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 18, 2024 5