06/20/2022 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 20, 2022 Opening: The meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Chairperson Warren Coupland at 6:03 p.m. at Cape May City Hall. 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 Ms. Pessagno Absent Ms. Wilson-Stridick Present Mr. Testa Absent Mr. Stevenson (Alt. 1) Present Mr. Boecker (Alt. 2) Present Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Present Mr. Coupland, Chairperson Present Also Present: HPC Secretary Judith Decker and Solicitor Robert Fineberg. MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the May 16, 2022, Minutes seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. RESOLUTIONS Elaine’s Property Management LLC, 513 Lafayette Street, 1053/13, Resolution #2022-23 Roddy, 12 South Broadway, 1016/7 & 8, Resolution #2022-24 Hobrow Inc, 300 West Beach Avenue, 1014/13, Resolution #2022-25 Walters, 223 North Street, 1031/41, Resolution #2022-26 Motion made by Mr. Boecker to approve Resolutions #2022-23 thorough #2022-26 seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Carroll. Ms. Campbell, Ms. Wilson Stridick and Mr. Stevenson recused from the vote on Walters, Resolution #2022-26. APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN REVIEW Adis, Inc, 1317 Beach Avenue, 1146/6,7,10-24, Contributing – Relocate pool mechanicals Breeze, 411 Jefferson Street, 1086/3, Contributing – Deck Brogan, 413 Jefferson Street, 1086/1, Contributing – Condenser Cape May Rentals LLC, 1251 Washington Street, 1129/24, Contributing – Fence and railing Cape Motels Inc, 1039 Beach Avenue, 1101/5, Non-contributing – Dumpster fence City of Cape May, 643 Washington Street, 1059/11, Contributing – Solar Panels Conrad, 15 Gurney Street, 1062/10.02, 11 & 12, Contributing – HVAC platform and enclosure Crooked Cottage, 21 Windsor Street, 1024/14, Contributing - Foundation Harner, 1215 Washington Street, 1129/38 & 39, Contributing – Repair fence and driveway Hiban, 126 Decatur Street, 1041/4, Contributing - HVAC Hollenbach, 1030 New York Avenue, 1102/17, Contributing – Windows (RES 2020-27) Holland, 710-712 Corgie Street, 1077/2, Contributing – Exterior shower and cladding Ivso, 1234 Lafayette Street, 1129/15, Non-contributing – Fence HPC Minutes June 20, 2022 1 Klineburger, 629 Columbia Avenue, 1057/15, Contributing – Windows Klineburger, 629 Columbia Avenue, 1057/15, Contributing – Exterior shower rehab, shed Krasinsky, 735 Washington Street, 1079/17 C-5, Contributing – Deck, door Laudman, 1311 New Jersey Avenue, 1147/32 & 33, Key Contributing – Deck Ledwin,1041 New York Avenue, 1103/33, Contributing – Front steps Martino, 609 Beach Avenue, 1056/13.01, Non-contributing – Columns, walkways Minervino, 9 Jackson Street, 104116, Not rated – Condenser Mistretta, 660 Hughes Street, 1066/8, Contributing - Roof Murray, 819 Kearney Avenue, 1072/7.01, Contributing – Porch knee wall Parker, 251 Windsor Avenue, 1026/1, Contributing – Screens Perry, 723 Page Street, 1077/12, Contributing – Fence Prov. Sacred Heart Jesus Third Order, 227 North Street, 1041/26, Contributing – Sewer repair Riter, 283 Windsor Avenue, 1027/19, Non-contributing – Condenser Smith, 1021 New York Avenue, 1103/48, Contributing – Roof Smokowski, 309 Franklin Street, 1073/25, Contributing – Revised exterior shower Swain, 305 Jackson Street, 1040/2.01, Non-contributing – Fence Van Walsum, 329 Congress Street, 1031/61 & 62, Contributing – Sidewalk repair Walters, 223 North Street, 1031/41, Contributing – Demolition Willis, 109 North Street, 1026/22, Contributing – Screen frames 7 Ocean Street LLC, 7 Ocean Street, 1056/13.02, Key Contributing – Porch repairs 106 Decatur Realty LLC, 106 Decatur Street, 1041/12, Key Contributing – Windows, door, railings, columns, panels 429 Beach Ave LLC, 429 Beach Avenue, 1041/19, Contributing – Repair and replace trim, doors Motion made by Mr. Cogswell seconded by Mr. Carroll to approve the applications approved in review and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson Stridick on Crooked Cottage, Mr. Stevenson on Van Walsum and Walters. APPLICATIONS Wood – 413 Broadway, Block 1032, Lot 1 – Contributing New dormer, third floor deck and enclose second floor porch Returning to HPC from the May 16 meeting were Architect Joseph Courter with owner Michael Wood. Mr. Courter presented the plan to reconstruct the third floor living space by enlarging the roof dormer and replacing a window with a door, adding a third-floor deck with stairs for fire access to the second-floor deck, enclosing the existing second floor screened porch and adding an egress door to the building. In response to HPC comments at the May meeting, Mr. Courter stated that the windows, decks, and stairs will all be wood. Plans for the wood fence were submitted. The owners confirmed that the new signage was approved in review. Motion made by Mr. Boecker to grant final approval seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Pyfrin – 213 Grant Street, Block 1022, Lot 24, Contributing New front porch, roof, windows, siding, condenser Returning to HPC from the April 25 meeting seeking final approval was Architect Pamela Fine representing owner Joseph Pyfrin. Ms. Fine reviewed the plan to renovate the front porch by replacing the columns, railings, and trims in kind with wood, and increase the pitch of the porch roof to be clad with 1” standing seam metal roofing. New non-clad wood windows were proposed, new wood clapboard siding, and all doors will be wood. Proposal changes were wood decking, a cedar shake roof and wood street fence. Discussion ensued. The applicant HPC Minutes June 20, 2022 2 agreed to supply a spec sheet for the windows. The owners confirmed that the new signage was approved in review. Motion made by Mr. Carroll seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0 to grant final approval conditional upon a spec sheet citing non clad all wood windows. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Primrose Cottage (formerly Woody/Pocher) – 22 Congress Street, Block 1024, Lot 6 – Contributing Enclosed lower-level porch reconstruction Ms. Wilson Stridick recused herself. Architect Don Main and Project Manager William Mattern represented the applicant owners (Woolworth). Mr. Coupland reported that he had spoken to the applicant and requested a full commission hearing. Mr. Main stated that the project was approved in review in February, but subsequent plan changes were made. He explained the following modifications on the new plan: three inward opening casement windows placed behind the exterior features of the original front open porch elements with two fixed and two inward swinging windows on the side elevation for safety. The porch is to be reconstructed to replicate the original features, or repair as needed with wood elements. Mr. Cogswell noted that 22 and 24 Congress Street are reverse twins. The applicant agreed to replicate the spandrel over the windows and railings as seen on 24 Congress. As per comments on interior and step lighting from Mr. Boecker, the applicant agreed to remove those lights from the plans. HPC favored the plan. Motion made by Mr. Boecker to grant final approval conditional upon removal of the step lighting and second floor porch lighting from the plan seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson Stridick. Horger Inc. & Horvath – 200 Madison Avenue, Block 1097, Lots 6.02 & 7 – Contributing Patio, pool, detached garage Representing the project was Architect Steven Fenwick with owners Judy and John Horvath. Mr. Fenwick presented the proposal for a detached two-story cedar roofed garage, a pool with 4’ cedar fencing, a marble paved patio, and a 3’ wood picket street fence. HPC objected to the non-wood garage door and confirmed that any artificial wood product is not an approved material in the historic district on a contributing building. Mr. Coupland objected to the windows. In response to a question from Ms. Campbell, the applicant stated that the storage garage would not be residential space. Mr. Fenwick confirmed that the plan may require zoning relief. Mr. Fineberg explained that if zoning approval was needed, the application would have to return to HPC for final approval. Mr. Boecker expressed concern about a large tree in the project area; the applicant stated that it was gone. Mr. Boecker noted that the staircase would not fit into the garage as presented; Mr. Fenwick agreed to alter the staircase. HPC requested a landscape plan. There followed discussion about the HPC Standards. Motion made by Mr. Carroll seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0 to grant approval conditional upon a submission of an all materials list, a pergola design, a landscape plan, and correction of the garage staircase. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Conrad – 347 Congress Street, Block 1031, Lots 82 & 83 – Contributing Renovation, addition, garage, pool Architect Paul Kiss was present with owners William and Dolores Conrad. Mr. Kiss explained that changes were made to the plan presented in April in response to HPC comments. The addition size was reduced. It was HPC Minutes June 20, 2022 3 proposed that the house be elevated 28” and moved back on the lot. The project has received zoning approval. Revisions include: non-clad wood Kolbe windows as needed, a wall and landscaping in front of the original house, 8’ceiling height in the addition, reduced size of the entry hyphen, reduced height and size of the garage and the size of the pool. The cedar pool fence was explained. An updated landscaping rendering was submitted and reviewed. All materials will be wood. Mr. Carroll noted that normally HPC discourages very large additions to historic buildings, but he approves of the project as presented as the lot is large. Ms. Campbell noted that the addition is higher than the original building; the applicant responded that it is 3’ higher. The iron fence was discussed; the applicants noted that they intended to match the neighbor’s fence. HPC noted that additions larger and higher than the principal structure are not appropriate, but that the plan was improved, the lot is large and a heavy natural buffer from the street is proposed. Motion made by Mr. Boecker seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 7-0 to grant final approval conditional upon a submission of a landscape plan. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Cauley – 1517 Beach Avenue, Block 1174, Lots 19, 20 & 21 – Contributing Rear addition and porch Architect Paul Kiss was present with owner Patrick Cauley, who gave a brief history of their lengthy ownership of the circa 1906 house. Mr. Kiss presented the proposal for a small rear addition and HVAC units. It was proposed that the house be reconstructed inside with living space upstairs and bedrooms downstairs, the front second-floor openings to the existing deck be changed to feature two large 9/1 windows mirroring those downstairs with a French door in the central recessed bay and French doors with sidelights in the outer bays. Rear and side window changes were also proposed. Porch railings and windows will be updated to all wood elements, as needed. Mr. Boecker noted that the historic survey report states that the massing and fenestration patterns are contributing to the house and that the window/door ratio on the second-floor front elevation proposes a 30% increase, which is inappropriate for this shingle style house and that the rear double window fenestration pattern has also been reduced and changed significantly. There was discussion about the windows. Mr. Kiss agreed to change the rear bedroom windows to doubles. Following further discussion, HPC determined that on the second-floor front façade a French door flanked by two replica 9/1 first floor windows in the center recessed bay and single French doors in the outer two bays would be more appropriate. The applicant agreed to this plan and Mr. Kiss assured HPC that he would revise the rear bunk room windows to double windows. Following questions regarding the proposed chimney removal, Mr. Cauley reported that the chimney leaks, and is not linked to the fireplace, which is being removed. HPC agreed that the chimney was not visible from the street. Motion made by Mr. Coupland seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0 to grant final approval conditional upon submission of a revised plan and that the historic chimney could be removed because it is not visible from the front of the house. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Perry Street Associates LLC – 29 Perry Street, Block 1034, Lot 0021 – Contributing Firepits and landscaping Mr. Carroll recused himself. Managers Robert Shepenski and Tony Montefusco appeared for the applicant. When Mr. Montefusco explained that they plan to install five fire bowls in the rear to make an amenity for guests. Mr. Coupland confirmed that the project was not visible but wanted HPC to review the project as it was unusual. Mr. Boecker reported that the proposed firepits are 5’ away from the wall of the house, 6’ from a wooden fence and 14’ on center, which appeared to be a fire hazard. Mr. Montefusco stated that the construction office told them it was not a zoning issue. Mr. Shapenski specified that the gas-burner appliances will comply with all HPC Minutes June 20, 2022 4 regulations and be reviewed by the fire officials. The applicants stated the 30” cement bowl with a 15” burning area and 8” burner will be adjusted to low flame. HPC discussed the project and determined it cannot be seen from the street and is rear access only. Motion made by Mr. Coupland seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 5-0 to accept the application as presented. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Cogswell. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC The meeting was opened at 7:59 p.m. and closed at 7:59 p.m. with no comment from the public. DISCUSSION HPC Training Ms. Campbell explained that she completed a report, to be emailed to members, for training opportunities in 2023. Mr. Coupland reported that 2022 training was completed by some members with the webinar provided by the state historic preservation office. He will send the link to HPC members. HPC Standards Update Grant The grant subcommittee will be led by Ms. Campbell with one private citizen and a member of the Planning Board or the Zoning Board included. Discussion followed. The grant kickoff meeting will be held on July 25 online to include Ms. Campbell. Discussion ensued regarding HPC decisions and standards. HPC Best Practices Mr. Coupland would like to meet as a group to discuss best practices in preservation to gain an understanding of past errors and successful projects that came under HPC review. HPC favored the idea. HPC Award Program Mr. Coupland proposed resuming the HPC annual award program. Mr. Carroll volunteered to assist. Bylaws Update Mr. Coupland thinks the bylaws need to be updated. Ms. Wilson-Stridick agreed to take on this task. HPC Job Description Mr. Coupland asked if an HPC member job description was needed. Mr. Coupland concluded the discussion by agreeing to work on this. HPC Updated Application Mr. Fineberg will work on the updated HPC application and an applicant checklist draft. He asked for suggestions. Mr. Cogswell reported that he and Mr. Testa will get the information and updates to Mr. Fineberg. Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 8:51 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 June 20, 2022 5