03/21/2022 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - Virtual

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes March 21, 2022 Opening: The regular meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Chairperson Warren Coupland at 6:03 p.m. on Zoom with a livestream on YouTube. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting was provided. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Ms. Campbell Present Mr. Cogswell Present – Mr. Corbin joined the meeting at 6:09 p.m. Ms. Pessagno Present Ms. Wilson-Stridick Absent Mr. Testa Present Mr. Stevenson (Alt. 1) Absent Mr. Boecker (Alt. 2) Present Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Present Mr. Coupland, Chairperson Present Also Present: Robert Fineberg, Esq., HPC Solicitor, Judith Decker, HPC Secretary, Karen Keenan, Board Secretary MINUTES Motion made by Ms. Passagno to approve the February 14, 2022, Minutes seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. RESOLUTIONS Elaine’s Property Management, LLC, 513 Lafayette Street, 1053/13 & 15 - Resolution #2022-05 Leska, 227 Windsor Street, 1027/16, Resolution #2022-06 Cappelletti, 458 West Perry Street, 1031/1, Resolution #2022-07 Schultz, 215 Jefferson Street, 1083/1, Resolution #2022-08 Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve Resolutions #2022-05 thorough #2022-08 seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN REVIEW Atherton, 1224 New Jersey Ave, 1130/14.01, Non-Contributing – Outside Shower Siding, HVAC Platform Brogan, 413 Jefferson Street, 1086/1, Contributing – Porch Stair Treds Buck, 314 Jefferson Street, 1073/13, Contributing – Straighten Garage Cape CJ LLC, 1301 Beach Avenue, 1146/26.02, Key Contributing – Porch Roof, HVAC Platform Cape CJ LLC, 1301 Beach Avenue, 1146/26.02, Key Contributing – Replace Sidwalks Chew, 1365 Washington Avenue, 1145/16, Contributing – Roofing Chew, 1365 Washington Street, 1145/16, Contributing - Fence Church of the Advent Parish Hall, 686 Franklin Street, 1058/12, Contributing – Roofing Cicchitti, 402 Clay Street, 1061/57.03, Non-Contributing – Fence CMVH Revocable Trust, 925 Corgie Street, 1093/13, Contributing – Driveway Colehower, 298 Windsor Avenue, 1023/3, Contributing – Replace AC with Lattice Columbia Garden Units C8-14, 1090/14.01, Non-Contributing – Decks, Railings Crouse, 919 & 921 Queen Street, 1094/29 & 30, Contributing – Standing Seam Roofing 1 DeFalco, 114 Decatur Street, 1041/9, Contributing – Replace AC Unit Donnelly, 1101 New York Avenue, 1117/38, Contributing – Stair Treads Donnelly, 1101 New York Avenue, 1117/38, Contributing – Window Replacement, Storm Doors Fralin, 1025 New York Avenue, 1103/45 & 46, Contributing – Fence Galestok, 1025 Washington Street, 1112/13&14 – Railings & Spindles Hess, 1249 Lafayette Street, 1061/95 & 96, Contributing – Pool, Fence, Patio Hirsch Group NJ, 429 Washington Street, 1044/3 & 4, Contributing – Replace Siding Iannacone, 1045 Washington Street, 1112/10, Contributing – Pool Kleinhart, 120 Stockton Place, 1063/2, Non-Contributing – Replace Beams, Columns, Facia Kohler, 1107 New Jersey Avenue, 1116/28, Non-Contributing – Paver Walkway Marmster, Cushman & Wakefield, 621 Columbia Avenue, 1057/19, Contributing – Paver Patio Mendoza, 818 Washington Street, 1091/4, Contributing – Sidewalk Repair Mitchell, 230 Windsor Avenue, 1022/9, Non-Contributing – Roofing Muhlmeister, 403 St. James Place, 1061/68 C-403, Non-Contributing – HVAC Ocean Club Hotel CM, LLC, 1101/2, Non-Contributing – Roofing Philadelphia Beach Condos, 1105-07 Beach Avenue, 1115/28, Non-Contributing – Deck Beams, Trim Regents Beach Condo Assn, 10 Congress Street, 1024/7, Not Rated – Rooftop HVAC Roddy, 12 South Broadway, 1016/7 & 8, Contributing – Pool, Patio, Fence, Driveway Sellers, 407 Broadway, 1032/21, Contributing – HVAC System Stroud, 227 Grant Street, 1022/32 & 33, Non-Contributing – Elevation, Foundation Repair Switzer, 523 Lafayette Street, Unit 2, 1053/11, Contributing – HVAC The Tides Condos, 5a Jackson Street, 1041/16 C-201 to C-507, Not Rated – Rooftop HVAC Turek, 227 Beach Avenue, Unit 403, 1019/24 C-403, Non-Contributing – AC Condenser Uffelman, 10 North Street, 1021/2, Contributing – Pool Van Walsum, 329 Congress Street, 1031/61 & 62, Contributing – Garage Roofing Videv, 524 Washington Street, 1051/3, Contributing – Replace Windows, Siding Viguers, 501 Broad Street, 1054/17, Contributing – Siding Repair Vizzone, 653 Washington Street, 1059/10, Key Contributing – HVAC Unit Welsh, 1005 St. James Place, 1061/68, Non-Contributing – Deck Steps Woolworth, 22 Congress Street, 1024/6, Contributing – Porch Renovation Motion made by Mr. Testa, seconded by Mr. Coupland, to approve the applications approved in review conditional upon Church of the Advent Parish Hall roofing approval returning to HPC if cedar shakes are discovered under the existing asphalt shingles. The motion carried 6-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. APPLICATIONS Drake – 325 Congress Street, Block 1031, Lot 60, Contributing Rear Addition, Siding, Windows, Deck Paul Farnan, Fulcrum Design Group, returned with a final plan, having received conditional conceptual approval at the February 14, 2022, HPC meeting. The intention is to use JeldWen wood windows and cedar shake siding on the east side rear addition with brick veneer applied to the foundation. HPC comments were taken. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve the plan as presented seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Cappelletti – 458 West Perry Street, Block 1031, Lot 1, Non-Contributing Demolition Scott Peter presented the amended plan for demolition of the subject property including the formerly omitted shed, additional photos, and a survey. Mr. Peter presented the nine points of demolition. Mr. Carroll stated that a new application was due for this second demolition review and new construction; applications cannot be combined. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve the demolition seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. 2 Cape Real Estate Developers LLC – 628 Broad Street, Block 1060, Lot 8, Non-Contributing New Construction Single Family Home Scott Peter presented changes suggested by HPC to the approved conceptual plan. eliminated the First floor railings were removed, ceiling height was adjusted to 9’ on both floors and the porch roof pitch was amended to 6/12. Mr. Boecker noted that Mr. Peter had also added windows and increased the dormer size, as requested by HPC. Motion made by Mr. Boecker for final approval of the plan as presented seconded by Mr. Coupland and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Carroll suggested that Mr. Peter venture into other periods of architectural styles appropriate to the historic district for future projects as many of his homes reflect a similar style. He offered to meet with Mr. Peter. McMahan – 20 Second Avenue, Block 1012, Lot 5, Contributing Rear Addition, Repair/Replace Foundation, Refinish Porch, House and Garage Architect Christina Amey presented the revised plan seeking final approval following a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). HPC comments accomplished include: a centered front entry and shifted columns on the rear porch. As per the ZBA, the addition, deck, and rear protrusion have been reduced in size. The garage structure will be retained. Mr. Cogswell asked about the tree in the front of the house; Ms. Amey responded that the tree would be removed as approved by the Shade Tree Commission. Mr. Carroll questioned the front yard parking proposal which is not approved at HPC; Mr. Coupland concurred. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for final approval conditional upon removal of the parking in the front yard of the property seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Jones – 20 Patterson Avenue, Block 1018, Lot 1 & 2, Non-Contributing New Construction Single Family Home Christina Amey, Architect, presented the plan which received conceptual approval from HPC. HPC suggestions made include: the siding will be predominantly cedar shake with only accents of white board and batten, window trim width was increased to 5.5 inches wide, and the garage cupola was reduced to 8’ wide. As per the ZBA, the garage was moved closer to the house by reducing the hyphen from 25’ to 10’ and a 2nd floor addition was changed to a screened porch to reduce floor area. HPC favored the changes. Ms. Campbell asked for streetscape views which were provided on the screen. Motion made by Mr. Coupland for final approval of the plan as presented seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Colson – 1245 Washington Street, Block 1129, Lot 28, Contributing Porch, Exterior Stairs Paul Farnan, Fulcrum Design Group, and owner Harry Colson, presented the proposal. Mr. Farnan proposed wider mahogany poolside porch stairs to replace existing concrete stairs, replacing rear addition casement windows with wood 6/1 custom windows, asbestos shingles and other siding will be replaced with plank cedar siding as original, jalousie windows enclosing the SE front corner of the porch to be replaced with same 6/1 windows, a new gable- roofed portico will be constructed over the side entry, any new columns will be replicas of originals in form and wood, and a new porch roof. HPC approved of the proposal. Mr. Coupland requested submission of a cut sheet for the 3 windows. Mr. Farnan stated that there is no evidence of cedar shake under the asphalt roof on the porch. Ms. Passagno asked if the older front yard concrete driveway could be removed, HPC concurred that they would like to see it removed. Mr. Farnan responded that the front driveway was not part of this application. Motion made by Mr. Testa for final approval of the plan as presented conditional upon submission of the window cut sheets seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. GC Ventures – 314 Claghorne Place, Block 1031, Lots 63 & 64, Non-Contributing New Residence Steve Fenwick, Fenwick Architecture, presented revised plans seeking final approval, having received conceptual approval at the last meeting of HPC. As requested by HPC, the foundation was changed from stone to brick, the roofline was softened, and a dormer was added. The height of the 12’ section of fencing along the front of the house, that was reduced to 5’ was discussed. It was agreed that the Zoning Officer would review the fence on the plans. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for final approval as presented, subject the fence regulations by the Zoning Officer, seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Franceschi – 514 Elmira Street, Block 1054, Lot 11, Contributing Rear Addition Vidette Franceschi, owner, and Brian Leach, contractor, presented the application for final approval for a 16’ X 24’ one story rear addition. Due to a health issue, the first-floor bedroom and bathroom addition are necessary for the owner. Mr. Coupland noted that architectural plans were not in the application but only sketches. Mr. Carroll stated that he visited the site and approved of the proposal. In response to a question from Mr. Testa, the applicant responded that the roof would be an asphalt gabled roof at a 6 pitch. Mr. Leach stated that a more detailed plan would be presented to the construction office. Applicant stated that all materials will match existing materials. Motion made by Mr. Testa for final approval conditional upon final plan review by the HPC in committee when construction plans are submitted for permits, seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC The meeting was opened to the public at 7:38 p.m. and closed following discussion items at 8:00 p.m. with no comment. DISCUSSION CLG Grant – Research on Cape May City’s African American History for the National Register of Historic Places As required, consultant Nancy Zerbe and Chair Warren Coupland presented the CLG grant for HPC comments following distribution. Mr. Carroll approved of the grant. HPC asked Ms. Zerbe about the schedule, which she addressed. She reported that a first draft would be presented on July 1, 2022. Ms. Campbell asked about the public education piece and Ms. Zerbe responded that there would be a public information session and a booklet produced. The research process was discussed, and suggestions made. Discussion followed. 4 Mr. Coupland made a motion that the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the research design and schedule for the CLG grant for Cape May City’s African American History and agreed with the concept and was impressed with the details, seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Cape May Promenade Arches Mr. Coupland asked Ms. Baldwin to present the draft sketch produced by Mr. Boecker for the arches proposed for the promenade. She turned it over to Mr. Boecker, who presented the sketches and narrative to reconstruct the historic lighted arches that once existed on the promenade emphasizing the preliminary nature of the project. HPC approved of the idea and suggested increasing the scope of the project in phases. Zoning Board of Adjustment Decision Reversing HPC Decision Mr. Coupland reported that recently an HPC decision was overturned in appeal to the ZBA. Mr. Coupland stated that the ZBA made a mistake and were wrong. He reported that Mr. Fineberg’s presentation was clear and concise and it appeared that the zoning solicitor supported the HPC decision. Yet, it was still overturned by the ZBA. Mr. Coupland noted that the issue before any appeal is: Did the HPC make a mistake? Was the decision capricious or arbitrary? He stated that there was no mistake made; this is part of the ordinance. He continued that the reason for the HPC decision was well-documented. Mr. Coupland met with this applicant and offered a very significant compromise which was brought forward in a re-hearing by the HPC due to an individual circumstance. This would argue that the decision was not arbitrary or capricious. Because of a string of reversed decisions of the HPC a few years ago, meetings were held with key players of the ZBA and the meetings were constructive. Mr. Coupland asked Mr. Fineberg to contact the ZBA solicitor to re-engage those meetings this summer to have discussions with the current members of the ZBA to gain a clear understanding and acceptance of what the roles are for historic preservation in Cape May, what role does zoning play, and who is bound by what legal obligations. Mr. Coupland stated that he felt it would be irresponsible to sit on the sidelines and say nothing about such an egregious breach. Mr. Fineberg agreed that meetings would be productive as there are several new ZBA members. One of the changes that came out of the old meetings was amendments to the ordinance that the ZBA would give deference to the HPC as long as those decisions were not arbitrary or capricious. Another issue that came out of the hearing was a belief by some members of the ZBA that there is investigative responsibilities on the part of the HPC to look into the information that the applicants have submitted. He found that highly improper and an area to discuss. He agreed to reach out to the ZBA solicitor. Mr. Testa stated that HPC already has a provision in granting approvals that talks about subsequent discovery of facts and return to the HPC under those circumstances. Mr. Testa agreed to continue work on procedural changes to the HPC application with Mr. Cogswell in committee in consultation with Mr. Fineberg. April Meeting Date Change Mr. Coupland announced that the next HPC meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. and will be live. Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 8:31 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 5