10/16/2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 16, 2023 Opening: the regular meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Vice Chair Tom Carroll 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 Absent Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Present Mr. Cogswell Present Ms. Campbell Present Ms. Pessagno Present Ms. Wilson-Stridick Absent Mr. Testa Present Mr. Stevenson (Alt. 1) Present Mr. Boecker (Alt. 2) Present Also Present: HPC Secretary Judith Decker, Solicitor Robert Fineberg. Deputy Mayor Lorraine Baldwin was absent. MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the September 18, 2023, minutes seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. RESOLUTIONS - None APPLICATIONS APPROVED OR DENIED IN REVIEW Autumn Lynn Properties LLC, 1374 Lafayette Street, 1145/5, Non-contributing - Car Charger Bennett, 1107 Beach Avenue, 1115/28 C-12, Non-contributing - Roof Bonnette, 500B West Perry Street, 1032/2 C-500B, Contributing - Three Windows Brod Family LLC, 15 S Broadway, 1018/18 C-25, Non-contributing - Heat Pump Brogan, 413 Jefferson Street, 1086/1, Contributing - Newels, Railings Clemens, 504 Jefferson Street, 1074/8, Contributing - Three Windows Costa, 806 Columbia Avenue, 1074/2, Contributing - Siding, Storm Windows, Gate, Lattice D’Agati, 9 Jackson Street, 1041/16 C-305, Non-contributing - Heat Pump Demato Family LLC, 1236 Lafayette Street, 1129/16, Non-contributing - Three Windows Dilts, 15 S Broadway, 1018/18 C-22, Non-contributing - Heat Pump Forte, 1228 Washington Street, 1128/14, Non-contributing - Fence Panels Garner, 604 Hughes Street, 1066/9, Contributing - Condenser, Lattice Harris, 27 Second Avenue, 1014/23, Non-contributing - Awnings Harris, 1001 New Jersey Avenue, 1102/59, Key Contributing - HVAC Inverso, 822 Kearney Avenue, 1068/4, Contributing - Porch Deck, Railings, Steps Kraemer Revocable Trust, 733 Columbia Avenue, 1066/10, Contributing - Porch Elements Lafferman, 811 Sewell Avenue, 1074/12, Contributing - HVAC Magnus, 801 Queen Street, 1093/18 - Curb Cut, Pavers Magnus, 801 Queen Street, 1093/18, Contributing - Condenser 1 Magraw, 619 Hughes Street, 1058/29, Contributing - Roof Mazzola, 15 S Broadway, 1018/18 C-15, Non-contributing - Heat Pump McMahan, 20 Second Avenue, 1012/5, Contributing - Roof Pitch Adjustment Menei, 412 Congress Street, 1027/6.03, Non-contributing - Decking, HVAC Newman, 641 Hughes Street, 1058/22, Contributing - Columns Noel, 1303 New Jersey Avenue, 1147/37, Non-contributing - Roof, Railings, Siding, Garage Door Regent Beach Condo Assn, 10 Congress Street, 1024/7, Non-contributing - Decking Roddy, 12 S Broadway, 1016/7 & 8, Contributing - Door Sackstein, 29 Ocean Street, 1056/1, Contributing - Siding, Roof, Line Set Covers, Lattice Smith, 112 Queen Street, 1082/11, Non-contributing - Roof Tiffany, 15 S Broadway, 1018/18 C-12, Non-contributing - Heat Pump Wendel, 506 Broad Street, 1053/2 C-506, Contributing - HVAC Wildermuth, 1007 Stockton Avenue, 1096/15, Contributing - Roof Williams, 519 Elmira Street, 1061/8, Contributing - Siding Uffleman, 219 North Street, 1031/43, Contributing - Hot Tub Uffleman, 219 North Street, 1031/43, Contributing - Gutters 248 Grant St QPR Trust, 248 Grant Street, 1019/12, Non-contributing - Condensers 1121 New York Avenue LLC, 1121 New York Avenue, 1117/ 25-27, Contributing - Condensers Motion made by Mr. Boecker to approve the applications approved or denied in review seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Stevenson from 219 North Street. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Carroll explained that three applications were moved off the agenda to Approval In Review to shorten the agenda. Conrad – 347 Congress Street, 1031/82, Contributing - Front Porch Bogle – 102 First Avenue, 1015/6, Non-contributing - Deck Cela Tega – 1521 Beach Avenue, 1174/ 15 & 16, Contributing - Demolish Garage Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to remove the applications for 347 Congress Street, 102 First Avenue, and 1521 Beach Avenue from the agenda to approval in review seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Testa from 1521 Beach Avenue and Mr. Stevenson from 347 Congress Street. Carlson-Glazer -710 Columbia Avenue, 1071/3, Contributing Rear Addition, Windows, HVAC, Roof Deck, Driveway Architect Christina Amey returned representing the owners seeking final approval. The application received conceptual approval in June 2023 followed by approval by the Zoning Hearing Board for a change of use from tourist guest house to single family use and rear yard setback. Ms. Amey reported no architectural changes to the plan since conceptual approval. As requested, a more detailed plan showed that all existing windows will be repaired with the remaining new windows to be non-clad wood 4/4 and the paver driveway and walkway using a herringbone brick pattern. The side porch was reduced 1’ to bring it into alignment with the columns, all floors of the rear additions will be aligned, restructured, and the roof raised for headroom as previously presented. The roof deck will be expanded to the rear setback, the fire escape and rear exterior stairs will be removed, and siding, doors, columns, railings, facia, and trims are proposed to be restored or replaced in kind with wood. Discussion followed. 2 Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to grant final approval seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. NEW BUSINESS: 1005 Beach Avenue LLC – 1005 Beach Avenue, 1095/15, Key Contributing New Porch and Dormer, Windows, Roof, Siding, Doors, HVAC, Fence, Railings, Decking, Driveway Owner Jon Koehler returned seeking final approval having received conceptual approval on March 20, 2023, and Zoning Board approval to reduce the existing the three dwelling units to single family with an apartment over the detached garage. Mr. Koehler stated that he has restored 31 original windows. He presented the changes as follows: the existing railings will be changed to meet current codes by adding a top rail and a vertical central baluster for stability and safety, any new windows will be all wood to match the original windows and storm windows will be removed, all vinyl shutters will be removed, the downspouts will be replaced by copper. The fire escape stairs and the exterior shower will be removed. A third-floor rear shed dormer will be added to allow for a staircase, all doors will be replaced by mahogany doors and storm doors, a first-floor covered porch will be reconstructed, and an HVAC platform built. A wood fence is proposed for the rear yard. The applicant was thanked for restoring a Key Contributing house. The owner noted that the house is individually listed on the National Register as the Kate McCreary Cottage. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Reich – 1249 Washington Street, 1129/25, Contributing Addition, Roof Deck, Porch, Screened Porch, Siding, Windows, Roofs, Railings, Driveway Architect Pamela Fine presented the project for owners Greg and Sharon Reich. The enclosed one-story front porch will remain but a new NE side addition will replace exterior stairs and decks. The shed roof of the existing porch will extend around the side, be sheathed in metal and cover an open porch leading to an enclosed entry foyer with a screened porch above. The existing rear addition will be reconstructed to be two stories with a new three-story stair tower on the SW side leading to a roof deck extending above the original gabled peak and behind the existing embedded octagonal turret. The skylights will be removed from the turret roof. Proposed are: new 2/2 all wood windows, wood siding to replace asphalt, all wood doors, new wood railings, and an asphalt roof. HPC asked about retaining original windows; Mr. Reich replied that some remain. The applicants agreed to evaluate them and present a window plan at final review. HPC concurred that they preferred an all-brick driveway. Mr. Testa objected to the height of the new tower as it can be seen from the street. Ms. Fine agreed to lower it to the existing gabled roofline. An HPC request to delete the existing front parking space was declined. There was discussion about retaining the original chimney. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant Conceptual approval conditional upon modifying the design of the stair tower so it cannot be seen from the street, retaining the chimney, identify the existing original windows and deleting the concrete from the driveway seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Cohen – 16 Reading Avenue, 1115/17.02, Non-contributing Lot New Home 3 Attorney Keith Davis appeared with Architect Paul Kiss, OSK Design Partners, and owner Scott Cohen seeking conceptual approval for a new home on a vacant lot. Zoning and Planning Board applications have been submitted for Floor Area Ration (FAR). Plan changes made after the HPC application was submitted due to a memo received from the Zoning Board engineer will be covered. Mr. Kiss presented the plan for recessed parking under the house, elevated on brick faced piers, with a wide brick driveway and a third parking space beside the house. The house design features open and screened porches wrapping around three sides on the first and second level with an open porch on the front of the third story. A rear yard pool and exterior shower are proposed. Materials proposed are: 9/1 wood windows or diamond patterned smaller windows, cedar siding, a brick driveway, and a stone patio with roofing to be determined. Revised drawings due to the memo were distributed. Mr. Kiss noted that the front steps have been recessed to comply with the front yard setback, a 10’ grass strip has been added behind the pool, and a roof was added to the third-floor porch. HPC concurred that they do not favor front loading garages raised above minimum flood height to allow for parking beneath. Mr. Kiss noted that the lot would not allow side loading garages and the garages were recessed 14’. HPC agreed that the height of the first floor, 8’4” above the street, does not comply with the Standards on pages 57-58 for scale or a pedestrian friendly streetscape with the overall height of the house, 44’, excessive for the neighborhood. Discussion ensued regarding appropriate scale, height, streetscape, and the relationship of porch to wall space on the façade. Mr. Boecker made a motion to deny the application. The applicant asked to adjourn the application. Mr. Becker withdrew his motion. Motion made by Mr. Testa to table the application subject to a waiver of the 45-day review period seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Young – 122 Decatur Street, 1041/6, Contributing Rear Addition & Porch Mr. Fineberg noted that a formal demolition application was not necessary and it was deleted from the agenda; a partial demolition to be replaced with new additions may be included in an application for new construction. Architect Greg Charnock, Stokes Architecture + Design, presented the plan to demolish two exterior staircases and rebuild a small rear entry porch in the same footprint extending the roof to cover the porch, with new steps, a new door and the addition of five new windows. HPC had questions about the wood materials and noted that the railings, decking and windows must be all wood. Motion made by Mr. Testa for final approval conditional upon submission of full construction drawings with more detail, windows, siding, railings and decking to be all wood subject to approval in review seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 6-1. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: Mr. Cogswell, who thinks it should be a conceptual due to the many conditions. Those abstaining: none. Scheffer – 1011 Washington Street, 1111/8, Contributing Rear Addition Mr. Boecker recused himself from the application as he is the project architect. Mr. Fineberg commented that as a member of HPC, Mr. Boecker could not present the application as representative for final approval; he recommended proceeding this evening. Architect John Boecker, Boecker Consulting Services, presented the project for owners Jason & Jean Scheffer seeking conceptual approval to demolish the second and third of four older rear additions and reconstruct that area adding windows and a NE covered side porch. The front elevation will not change. 4 Materials include: all wood 4/4 windows and doors, cedar siding, and an asphalt roof with lighting to be determined. The solar panels will be re-installed on the existing roof locations. The 2’ roof extension covering the side porch was discussed. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to grant conceptual approval seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 6- 0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Boecker returned to the meeting. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - Mr. Carroll opened public comment at 8:07 p.m. Patty Jo Kiraly appeared to comment on her house at 295 Windsor Avenue, owned by her family since 1896. She reported that she would prefer to replace the existing black asphalt roof but evidence of a cedar shake roof was discovered. She would like to use a Ce Dur brand polyurethane shake product for safety and longevity. A sample was passed around. HPC noted that the new standards encourage but do not require replacement of the original roof material and that the new wood shakes can be fire retardant and treated to last many years. Discussion followed. Public comment was closed at 8:25 p.m. DISCUSSION Mr. Carroll noted that he and Chairman Coupland shortened this agenda. He would like HPC to determine how to make a limit to the agenda items. HPC agreed that a clear time for new business would be preferable. Payment of Bills Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the bills as presented seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Stevenson, and Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell and carried at 8:27 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