07-19-2021 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - Auditorium

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Monday, July 19, 2021 - 6:00 PM Opening: The regular meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Warren Coupland at 6:00 PM in the City of Cape May Auditorium. 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. Clemans Absent Mr. Cogswell Absent Ms. Pessagno Absent Ms. Wilson Stridick Absent Mr. Testa Present Mr. Stevenson Alt. 1 Present Mr. Boecker Alt. 2 Present Also Present: Robert Fineberg, Esquire – Commission Solicitor Karen Keenan, HPC Secretary MINUTES: Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve the minutes of January 11, 2021. Seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. RESOLUTION(S): Cape CJ, LLC, 1301 Beach Avenue, 1146/26.02, 27, 28 – Resolution #2021-22 Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve Resolution #2021-22. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN REVIEW: Krupinski, 1307 New Jersey Avenue, 1147/34, Contributing – Fence Detail Castelton, 213 Perry Street, 1038/7, Contributing – Windows Van Syckle, 712 Lafayette Street, 1080/1.02, Contributing – Driveway Andersen, 1123 New Jersey Avenue, 1116/17, 18, 19, 20, Contributing – Fence Conroy, 836 Lafayette Street, 1092/11, Contributing – Steps, Landing, Rails, Posts, Lattice Gorman, 1142 Washington Street, 1110/28, Contributing – Roof Obligado, 280 Windsor Avenue, 1023/12, Non Contributing – HVAC 302-05 Washington LLC, 302-304 Washington Street, 1035/3, Contributing – Sign GL Realty, 816-824 Lafayette Street, 1092/5, Non Contributing – Roof, Railings, Doors, Windows HPC 1 July 19, 2021 Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve the Applications Approved in Review. Seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. ANNOUNCEMENT: Chairperson Coupland announced that Dave Clemans, a member of almost fifteen years, has decided to retire from the Commission and that his dedication, passion and commitment to the Commission and historic preservation will be missed. APPLICATIONS: QUINN………………….........................................................................................38 JACKSON STREET ROOF BLK 1034 LOT(S) 2 (CONTRIBUTING) Owner Renee Quinn, her son, John Lego and Robert Sandman Esq. were present for this application. Chairperson Coupland shared that there was prior approval for asphalt fiberglass roof and there was later found to be evidence of cedar roofing material. Attorney Sandman said there was no stop work order issued as the applicant is cooperating and here for a hybrid motion of reconsideration. Attorney Sandman gave a history of the prior meeting when the application was heard including a roof of GAF shingles and said that the applicant entered into a contract for work to be done and purchased supplies. Chairperson Coupland said the application listed asphalt fiberglass shingles as same for same which was presented and accepted in good faith. He went on to say that when historic materials are discovered, it changes the circumstances considerably. Chairperson Coupland reported that Commissioner Cogswell said at the prior HPC meeting that if cedar shingles are found to be present, the applicant would have to come back to the Commission. Chairperson Coupland said that cedar shingles would have been expected if the facts had been known and that expense is not an HPC issue. Chairperson Coupland said that a stop work order was contemplated, but was not issued by the City with the cooperation of the contractor and owner. He added that the building is a highly visible historic building and that the HPC offered an alternative of the porch and second story roofs, which are visible from the street, could be done in cedar with the rear roof, not visible from the street, could be done in asphalt. Vice Chairperson Carroll said he feels sympathetic but does not know how the HPC could inspect to determine the materials on the roof. Commissioner Testa shared that he remembered the presentation and dialogue where the applicant indicated asphalt to asphalt roof and that cedar portions of the roof seems a reasonable solution. Commissioner Boecker said the HPC must uphold the Secretary of Interior guidelines and standards and asked Solicitor Fineberg for clarification. Solicitor Fineberg has the HPC is required to preserve historic buildings and the historic district in Cape May. He added that when something comes up that was unknown, new facts have developed that may change what was approved. Now that new facts must be considered, the HPC has discretion and has offered a compromise when it could say no or can do an amended resolution. He added that, legally, a previous decision does not make a decision final when new information has been brought to light. HPC 2 July 19, 2021 Commissioner Testa said that a motion can be done to adjust the Certificate of Appropriateness. Attorney Sandman discussed estoppel and asked to reiterate the decision and to give approval tonight what the HPC gave before. Solicitor Fineberg said that the decisions are always subject to information being presented as accurate. Motion made by Mr. Testa that the Certificate of Appropriateness be amended in respect of providing for cedar shingle roofing to be applied to visible areas and asphalt for all other portions of the roofing not visible from street view. Seconded by Mr. Coupland and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. HUDSON………………………………………..………..…………………………………..1527-1529 YACHT AVENUE DEMOLITION & BLK 1160 LOT(S) 21 (1529 NON CONTRIBUTING) NEW CONSTRUCTION BLK 1160 LOT(S) 20, 20.01 (1527 NOT IN DISTRICT) Attorney Jeffrey Barnes was present for this application on behalf of the owners. Attorney Barnes shared that the applicants received variance approval from the Zoning Board and that no changes have been made to the project that received conceptual approval from the HPC. Motion made by Mr. Boecker to approve the application. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. CELA TEGA LLC……………………………………………………….………………..………..…1521 BEACH AVENUE ADDITION BLK 1174 LOT(S) 15 (CONTRIBUTING) Commissioner Testa recused himself from the hearing of this application. Project Architect Joe Adamson gave a history of the structures on the property for this application for conceptual approval to reconstruct the detached garage as a three-story addition to the home. The Materials List was reviewed and included cedar shake siding, cedar roofing, a brick foundation, copper detail on the dormer and Andersen Woodwright windows. Architect Adamson said the garage will orient to Brooklyn Avenue, as is currently. Architect Adamson was unsure if the project requires Zoning Board approval. Vice Chairperson Carroll commented the roofline does not sync with other nearby structures and the trim around the windows looks small and boxy compared to the front. Architect Adamson replied that they can explore adding more windows. Chairperson Coupland said the addition is big on an historic house and probably not appropriate. Commissioners Carroll and Boecker felt that the neighboring large brick wall makes the context different than others. Commissioner Boecker suggested considering turning the gambrel the other way, and Architect Adamson thought the structure would look too linear and long. Solicitor Fineberg exited the meeting. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to table the application with waiver of time constraints and materials specifications on the wood door. Seconded by Mr. Coupland and carried 4-0. Those in favor: Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. HPC 3 July 19, 2021 Commissioner Testa returned to the meeting. CAPE MAY SEA GLASS PROPERTIES LLC……………………………………………………..933 BEACH AVENUE ELEVATE REAR BUILDING BLK 1081 LOT(S) 16 (NON CONTRIBUTING) Chairperson Coupland shared that this application is separate with no bearing on the conceptual approval that was previously granted for this property. Project Designer Adam Crossland and Attorney Andrew Catanese were present for this application to request approval to elevate the rear building to the base flood elevation + 2 feet as required by the flood ordinance and the Flood Control Act. Attorney Catanese shared that the applicants will appear before the Zoning Board in August and want approval to do preliminary work on the rear building footings. Designer Crossland described the project in detail including Sheets ZP-1, ZP-2 and ZP-3. OPEN TO PUBLIC: Discussion was open to the public at 7:40 PM. Jules Rauch, 1010 New York Avenue, distributed three photos to the Commissioners. Attorney Catanese objected for the record of Mr. Rauch speaking on behalf of adjoining neighbor, Mrs. Brawner. Mr. Rauch said the application is different because there is a pending application before the Zoning Board showing four parking spaces as the requirement and the approval of the application will result in no parking. He said the building to the rear is one and a half feet from 16 Queen Avenue, a key contributing structure, and the streetscape on Queen Street will be disturbed. Mr. Rauch said that the application is contrary to the application before the Zoning Board and that the application should be put aside until the Zoning Board approves the application. Discussion was closed to the public at 7:50 PM. There was a discussion on pending plans and the current plan. Attorney Catanese said a permit has been issued to elevate the rear building. Motion made by Mr. Testa to table the application pending consultation with the Historic Preservation Commission Solicitor with possible approval in review. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. JONES………………………………………………………...20 PATTERSON AVENUE & 6 MT. VERNON AVENUE DEMOLISH STRUCTURES BLK 1018 LOT 2 & BLK 1018 LOT 1 (NON CONTRIBUTING) ADD SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING/ GARAGE/POOL Owners Gerald and Mary Anne Jones and Architect Christina Amey were present for this application. Architect Amey described the property consisting of two dwelling units with one facing Patterson Avenue and the other facing Mt. Vernon Avenue, and the application to demolish the two existing structures plus conceptual approval for new construction of an elevated two story structure. The nine points of demolition were reviewed for each structure. HPC 4 July 19, 2021 Motion made by Mr. Carroll for approval of demolition of 20 Patterson Avenue. Seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for approval of demolition of 6 Mt. Vernon Avenue. Seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. Architect Amey described the neighborhood as eclectic with the surrounding dozen or so properties that vary in size and style. The materials list was reviewed in detail. Commissioner Testa asked about the elevation and Architect Amey said they proposed to be four feet above the minimum. Commissioner Testa felt that is high and looks like a bell tower above the garage and too large. He recommended removing the tower. Commissioner Stevenson and Commissioner Carroll agreed. The materials list was found to be compatible with new construction in the Historic District. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for conceptual approval based on Zoning Board approval of the needed variances, taking into consideration the suggestions of the Commission and additional cut sheets for elements on the exterior. Seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. OPEN TO PUBLIC: Discussion was open to the public at 8:45 PM and closed with no public coming forward to comment. DISCUSSION: Chairperson Coupland shared an article in the New York Times that was written in 1977 after the City received National Historic Landmark status. Commissioner Testa said that the training seminars were worthwhile, and there was a discussion on the Commissioners sharing their training notes with the other Commissioners. Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Carroll at 8:57 PM, with all in favor. A verbatim recording of said meeting is available on the City of Cape May website. Respectfully submitted: Karen Keenan – HPC Secretary HPC 5 July 19, 2021