07/15/2024 Historic Preservation Commission

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes July 15, 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 Present Ms. Wilson-Stridick Present Mr. Johnson (Alternate 1) Present Mr. Hammeran (Alternate 2) Present Also Present: HPC Solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor Lorraine Baldwin, and Secretary Judith Decker. MINUTES Motion made by Ms. Wilson-Stridick to approve the Minutes of the June 17, 2024, seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson- Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Stevenson. RESOLUTIONS Granados & Roux, 502 West Perry Street, Block 1032, Lot 2 C-502 - Resolution 2024-20 Mocas Family Trust, 12 North Street, Block1021, Lot 3 - Resolution 2024-21 Hudson, 1017 New York Avenue, Block 1103, Lots 50 & 51 - Resolution 2024-22 Oceanfront Properties LLC, 1045 Beach Avenue, Block 1101, Lots 7-9 - Resolution 2024-23 230 Grant Street Cape May LLC, 230 Grant Street, Block 1019, Lot 14 - Resolution 2024-24 Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve Resolutions 2024-20 through 2024-24 seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Stevenson. APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW Bogle Family Trust, 102 First Avenue, 1015/6, Non-contributing - Condenser Bucci, 215 Grant Street, 1022/25, Contributing - Porch Ceiling - Denied Caselton-Console, 217 Perry Street, 1038/5.01, Contributing - Shed Cela Tega LLC, 1521 Beach Avenue, 1174/15, Contributing - Roofing, Siding Dempsey, 665 Hughes Street, 1058/15, Contributing - Awnings Furlong, 1105 New York Avenue, 1117/36, Contributing - Condensers Harris, 1001 New Jersey Avenue, 1102/59 & 60, Key Contributing - Driveway, Walkways Hicks, 1361 Washington Street, 1145/17, Contributing - Roofing HPC Minutes July 15, 2024 1 Iannacone, 1045 Washington Street, 1112/10, Contributing - Fence Kelly, 208 Franklin Street, 1069/5, Contributing - Siding Leo, 237 Capehart Lane, 1031/28.02, Non-contributing - Fence - Denied McGuire-Johnson, 807 Corgie Street, 1091/20, 21, Non-contributing - Exterior Shower Meeker, 704 Benton Avenue, 1069/2, Contributing - Condenser Raimo, 266 Grant Street, 1019/7, Non-contributing - HVAC Muller, 19 Perry Street, 1034/20, Contributing - Fence - Denied Ryan, 1012 New York Avenue, 1102/6, Contributing - AC Unit Sawyer’s Dowry, 655 Hughes Street, 1058/18, Contributing - Pool, Hot Tub, Patio, Driveway, Walkways Fencing Von Seekamm, 1505 New Jersey Avenue, 1175/14, Non-contributing - Roofing Welchman LLC, 1122 Washington Street, 1110/17, Contributing - Windows, Siding, Doors, Roofs, Porch repairs Zug, 209 Congress Place, 1029/3, Key Contributing - Porch Decking 518 Washington Street LLC, 518 Washington Street, 1051/5 C-1, C-2, Contributing - Windows Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve the applications approved or denied in review seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Boecker from 1045 Washington Street, Mr. Stevenson from 237 Capehart Lane, Mr. Testa from 1521 Beach Avenue and 1505 New Jersey Avenue. OLD BUSINESS: Oceanfront Properties LLC - 1045 Beach Avenue, Block 1101, Lots 7, 8 & 9, Non-contributing Outdoor Seating Area: Fire Pits, Flagpole, Synthetic Turf, Retaining Wall Attorney John Amenhauser, Architect Gerald Blackman, OSK Design Partners, Bob Belansen, Oceanfront Properties LLC (The Grand Hotel) appeared. Mr. Amenhauser distributed exhibit A-1: 17 pages of exhibits duplicating the application packet with additional photos and catalog cuts. He presented the project as a 1569 SF elevated seating area adjacent to the pool for hotel guests including tables, two with firepits, a flagpole and synthetic turf floor covering. Installed before HPC review, the plan was submitted to but not yet heard by the Zoning Board. Architect Blackman presented the case that the artificial turf is not visible from the street and reviewed exhibit A-1. Mr. Belansen testified that the approximately 11,000 square feet of artificial turf existing on the sundeck, indoor pool and the project area was installed over 20 years ago. HPC responded that the artificial turf was visible from the sidewalk and promenade, and not appropriate. They suggested using a hard surface. Motion made by Mr. Testa for conceptual approval conditional upon the elimination of artificial turf seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Madison Cape May RE, LLC - 1025 Beach Avenue, Block 1095 Lots 8-13, Non-contributing Sundeck roof, Addition, Guest House Renovation, Landscaping Attorney Anthony P. Monzo of Monzo, Catanese, De Lollis, Architect Morris Clark, DAS Architects, and owner Dan Alicea, returned seeking final approval for a project that received conceptual approval in January 2023 followed by Planning Board approval. Mr. Monzo reported that the metal roof installation condition would be met; Architect Clark noted that the plans were updated to remove the kiddie pool to be grass, the guest house conditions would be met: all wood railings and trims, windows (not Andersen), the chimney will be retained, and the elevations have been submitted. Incorrect plan notes will be corrected. Signs will be 3000K face lit painted metal or wood. Discussion followed. The applicant agreed to submit the revised plans. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to grant final approval conditional upon a revised hotel material checklist, a set of revised guest house plans and material checklist with all wood windows and trims, wood signage at the hotel to be reviewed in committee seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. HPC Minutes July 15, 2024 2 Lord - 1239 New York Avenue, Block 1132, Lot 27, Contributing Siding Attorney Anthony Monzo of Monzo, Catanese, De Lollis, was present with owners Thomas and Georgina Lord to amend Resolution 2024-04 to change clapboard siding to cedar shake siding. Mr. Monzo distributed Exhibits A1-12 showing houses on New York Avenue with cedar shake siding and made a presentation supporting the siding change followed by supporting statements by the owners. HPC was generally favorable to the amendment. Motion made by Mr. Testa to approved amending Resolution 2024-04 to sheath the house in cedar shingles with Hardie board shingles to match on the garage seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 6-1. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: Mr. Coupland. Those abstaining: none. NEW BUSINESS 230 Grant Street Cape May LLC - 230 Grant Street, Block 1019, Lot 14, Not Rated New House Owner Katherine Healey appeared with Architect James Chadwick who presented a plan for a new 2553 SF single family 3-bay house with three recessed side loading garage bays beneath, 7” wide smooth vinyl plank siding, an asphalt roof with a louvered cupola, Andersen windows and doors, Azek trims, vinyl railings and decking with a paver driveway and brick veneer foundation. Larger color copies of the plans were distributed. No front door is planned. A lot line adjustment and one variance will be sought from the Planning Board. Mr. Chadwick explained that the lot is elevated 5’ for persistent flooding with the finished floor at 14’ with a brick retaining wall in front to buffer the elevation. The applicant agreed to provide a cut sheet for the siding. HPC asked for a landscape plan, a break up the 28’ left elevation span by dividing it with columns, rethinking the lack of the front door and adding the front railing gate to the plans. Motion made by Mr. Boecker to grant conceptual approval conditional upon adding two piers to the 28’ span of left side elevation, a landscape plan, defining the louvers on the cupola and adding the front railing gate seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. BAJ Family LLC - 805 Stockton Avenue, Block 1068, Lot 20, Contributing Pool, Driveways, Deck, Fence, Landscaping Pam Fine, Fine Architecture, appeared representing owner Paula Murray, who could not attend, of The Bedford Inn, an operating bed & breakfast with ten guest rooms. Solicitor Gillin-Schwartz asked Ms. Fine if she was authorized to represent her clients including all conditions which must be ratified in writing before construction; Ms. Fine stated that she was authorized. Site changes proposed include: a rear 9’6” X 30’ pool, 11 space parking with pervious driveways of marble or pervious stone, IPE pool deck, a 6’ wood fence in the backyard and 4’ in the side/front yard with buffer landscaping inside the fence. Ms. Fine stated no variances are needed. HPC noted that marble is not on the material list, red brick is preferred, a 4’ picket fence is preferred and a lighting plan is needed. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for final approval conditional upon seconded the use of red brick unless not permitted by the Zoning Office, fence be 4’ picket at the front and sides of the house and a lighting plan for the pool to be reviewed in committee seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. HPC Minutes July 15, 2024 3 OPEN TO PUBLIC Public comment was opened and closed at 8:16 p.m. with no public coming forward to comment. DISCUSSION Payment of Bills - approved Zoning Code 525-60 Mr. Coupland reported that the building code restricts flat roofs which causes challenges in the historic district, especially for cottages. He gave a recent example and suggested sending a flat roof option for the historic district only to City Council. Mr. Gillin Schwartz explained the benefits of amending the code. Motion made by Mr. Testa recommending that City Council consider a modest ordinance amendment to leave section 525-60 applicable for everywhere else except the historic district and leave roof pitch decision to the Historic Preservation Commission seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. HPC Bylaws Update Mr. Testa asked HPC to review the Bylaws sent to HPC via email and send him comments by the end of August. HPC Liaison to City Administration Mr. Testa reported that a draft proposal was being reviewed by Mr. Gillin-Schwartz and it will be ready by the August meeting. HPC discussed scale issues for recent approvals. HPC Parking Proposals Mr. Stevenson asked for an update on the review by Planning Board. HPC discussed the presentation and determined that an HPC representative(s) should attend a joint discussion in the future. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Testa at 8:47 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 July 15, 2024 4