10/17/2022 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes October 17, 2022 Opening: The meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Chairperson Warren Coupland at 6:00 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 Present Ms. Wilson-Stridick Absent Mr. Testa Present Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Present Mr. Coupland, Chairperson Present Mr. Stevenson (Alt. 1) Present Mr. Boecker (Alt. 2) Present Also Present: HPC Secretary Judith Decker. Solicitor Robert Fineberg was absent. Mr. Coupland announced that Solicitor Bob Fineberg was not in attendance due to the passing of his wife and that he has Covid. MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the September 19, 2022, Minutes seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Pessagno. RESOLUTIONS Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve Resolutions #2022-44 thorough #2022-48 seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa from Resolution 2022-44, Walsh, and Resolution 2022-45, Cela Tega. APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW Black, 912 Corgie Street, 1090/21, Contributing – Roof Clemens, 504 Jefferson Street, 1074/8, Contributing – Sidewalk Conrad, 347 Congress Street, 1031/82 & 83, Contributing – Landscape Plan Constable, 1102 Cake Street, 1110/19, Not Rated – Fence Decola, 42 Jackson Street, 1034/1, Key Contributing – Shingles DiDio, 1523 New Jersey Avenue, 1175/6, Non-contributing – Decks Dvorkin, 15 Jackson Street, 1041/25, Key Contributing – Fence Emerson, 130 Decatur Street, 1041/2, Contributing – Stairs Franklin Perth LLC, 22 Stockton Place, 1062/2, Non-contributing – Porch Gaines, 1148 Washington Street, 1110/33, Contributing – Driveway Giordano, 1001 Washington Street, Unit 1B, 1111/11 C-02, Non-contributing – HVAC Gizka, 1039 Beach Avenue, 1101/5, Non-contributing – Sidewalk, driveway apron Greco, 1425 New Jersey Avenue, 1162/1.09, Non-contributing – Decking, railing Hood, 132 Decatur Street, 1041/1, Contributing – Front Porch O’Donnell, 1531 Yacht Avenue, 1160/22, Non-contributing – Soffit Powell, 312 Congress Street, 1026/17.02 C-04 DENIED, Contributing – Enclose porch, vinyl windows Powell, 312 Congress Street, 1026/17.02 C-04 DENIED, Contributing – Enclose porch vinyl clad windows Rymer, 1417 Beach Avenue, 1161/1.12, Non-contributing – Enclose deck HPC Minutes October 17, 2022 1 Rymer, 1417 Beach Avenue, 1161/1.12, Non-contributing – Generator Shoemaker, 413 S Broadway, 1032/1, Contributing – Gas package unit Shoemaker, 413 S Broadway, 1032/1, Contributing – Roof Steger, 905 Page Street, 1090/57, DENIED, Contributing – Clad windows Suter, 906 Corgie Street, 1090/15 & 16, Contributing – Wood trim, front steps Theinert, 312 Congress Street, Unit 1, 1026/17.02 C-1 DENIED, Contributing – Remove screen dividers Uffleman, 219 North Street, 1031/43, Contributing – Roof, windows, door, porch repairs Zulick, 240 Winsor Avenue, 1022/4, Contributing – Decks 7 Ocean Street LLC, 7 Ocean Street, 1056/13.02, Key Contributing – Exterior restoration Motion by Mr. Cogswell to approve the applications approved in review seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7- 0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Testa from Greco and Rymer and Mr. Stevenson from Uffleman. 409 Elmira LLC – 409 Elmira Street, Block 1060, Lot 33, Non-Contributing New 3-story mixed use building Attorney Anthony Monzo, Architect Louis DeLosso and Owner Joseph Shulte returned with an amended application to the one tabled at the September 19 HPC meeting. Mr. Monzo stated that they met with City officials about the parking proposed for the city lot and wrote to NJ Transit Authority to gain access to Osborne Court for a preferred plan of two resident parking spaces in the rear to access Osborne Court and two parking spaces for the retail use in the front if they can obtain approvals. Currently, they are seeking conceptual approval for an amended plan prior to going before the Planning Board for parking variances. HPC comments regarding the massive size have been taken into consideration and the rooftop decks have been removed, and dormers added for a height reduction from 38’ to 34.8’. The driveway is proposed to be brick pavers and grass strips with added landscaping. Rooftop condensers were moved to ground level. Hardie board siding and Azac board trim are proposed with a brick veneer foundation and a wood garage door. Mr. DeLosso confirmed that bollards will protect the first-floor columns. HPC was in agreement that the plan had been markedly improved but the building to still out of scale for the site. Following discussion, the applicant agreed to reduce the building height to 33’ by reducing the ceiling heights on the first and second floor. Mr. Coupland suggested a further one-foot height reduction by lowering the roof peak to the dormer height. Options for adding windows and breaking up the south façade wall were discussed. HPC agreed that the parking issue must be resolved with the Planning Board and was further discussed. HPC opposed any front parking. Motion by Mr. Testa to grant Conceptual approval conditional upon reducing the height of the building by three feet, changing the window patterns on the south side to add an additional two pairs of windows, and installing bollards to protect the ground floor columns seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Varady – 289 Windsor Avenue, Block 1027, Lot 22, Contributing Windows, Doors Owners John and Eric Varady presented the plan to replace eight windows on the first floor with the similar but smaller vinyl clad windows as installed on the second floor for energy efficiency. The owners reported that they purchased the house in 2002 as a one-story cottage with vinyl clad windows. In 2014, HPC approved an application to add a partial second floor at the rear of the building using Andersen Woodwright windows. Mr. Coupland explained that about that period of time, 2014-2015, the Anderson Woodwright window was changed from an all-wood product to a vinyl clad product. When constructed in 2016, the Andersen Woodwright Windows installed were vinyl clad as a result. Mr. Coupland informed the applicants that the situation was unusual as they have vinyl clad windows on a contributing building. He explained that when improvements are sought on a contributing building, HPC is tasked with encouraging an upgrade to an appropriate product. But mixing vinyl with wood does not seem to make sense either. Additionally, Andersen changed the 400 series windows at the time when the 2014 approval was given. HPC agreed that they did not approve the reduction in window size proposed as appropriate, but the majority approved of proposed the clad windows. Discussion ensued. HPC Minutes October 17, 2022 2 Motion by Mr. Carroll to allow the replacement windows to be vinyl clad to be consistent with those already on the house with the request to reduce the size of the windows denied, except for the two windows framing the door on the rear of the building seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 5-2. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: Mr. Testa, Mr. Coupland. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Coupland noted that in order to achieve consistency, and in view of the history of the installation of vinyl clad windows as cited, HPC made an exception to the Design Standards in this case, which would otherwise prohibit the use of a non-wood product for the windows. Murika & Mc Laughlin – 1009 Kearney Avenue, Block 1097, Lots 8 & 9, Non-contributing Demolition Architect Pamela Fine appeared on behalf of owners Scott Murika and Marianne McLaughlin requesting a demolition at 1009 Kearney Avenue, a non-contributing house. Ms. Fine responded to seven of the nine points of demolition. Motion by Mr. Cogswell to approve demolition seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Murika & Mc Laughlin – 1009 Kearney Avenue, Block 1097, Lots 8 & 9 New Home Architect Pamela Fine appeared on behalf of owners Scott Murika and Marianne McLaughlin seeking conceptual approval as variances will be sought from the Zoning Board for this new home proposal. Proposed is a two-story 35’ house with 2- story front porches moved closer to the road, a tire strip driveway, standing seam metal roofing on the porches, asphalt roof shingles, Azac trim and columns, Hardie board shingles, Intex railings with mahogany caps, Ipe decking, brick veneer piers over a block foundation with slats, Anderson double hung 400 series windows, bracketed eaves and corbels, and wood doors with sidelights. No sheds or outbuildings are proposed. HPC favored 75/25 size privacy lattice over slats at the foundation. Mr. Boecker suggested removing the decks extending beyond the façade of the house at the left west side and moving the staircase forward which was discussed and favored by HPC. Also suggested was adding mullions to the front sliding glass doors. On the railing system, HPC requested balustrades be at least 1.5” in size and no more than 3’apart as more historically accurate. Ms. Fine agreed to the changes. Motion by Mr. Carroll to grant conceptual approval conditional upon privacy lattice, the section of the porch that extends beyond the façade of the house be removed, the sliding glass doors be divided into panels and that the railing balustrades be at least 1.5” in size and no more than 3’ apart seconded by Mr. Stevenson and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mahalo Cape May LLC – 1033 Beach Avenue, Block 1101, Lot 1, Non-contributing Roofs, Facia, Window, Doors, Railings, Decking, Solar Panels Mark Robins, Development Manager for Icona, and Architect Steve Thomesetti presented a plan seeking approval to renovate the exterior of the former Capri motel prior to attending the Planning Board. Proposed are: extending the existing pool deck 20’to cover the existing shuffleboard courts, adding an 8-10’ high white vinyl arch “rain curtain” feature across the pool, replacing the roof with a standing seam metal roof, rooftop solar panels, adding hanging louvered “valances” to the walkways, new slatted room doors, adding palm leaf design appliques to the existing railings, new automatic sliding glass doors and windows on the lobby area with a change in the lobby roof slope. Mr. Testa explained that when action is needed by other city bodies, only conceptual approval can be granted. Mr. Coupland added that solar panels that are visible from the street cannot be approved as per the city ordinance. Integrated photo voltaic technology, as introduced by Mr. Boecker, was discussed as a future consideration by HPC. HPC agreed that they need more elevations for the rain curtain feature, they did not favor the Hawaiian/Polynesian applique design presented as appropriate to Cape May. HPC suggested HPC Minutes October 17, 2022 3 the pineapple as an appropriate symbol for the historic district and they agreed to drive by to view the sample hanging valance already installed at the site. Motion by Mr. Carroll to grant conceptual approval conditional upon the elimination of the rooftop solar panels, elevations and views of the rain curtain, the design for the doors, the railing design changes, the reduced valance size and a 1” standing seam metal roof seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Somoza – 1386 Lafayette Street, Block 1145, Lot 7, Key Contributing Railings, Stairs, Rear Roof, Ramp Owner Gabriella Somoza presented the plan to remove existing rear stairs, landing, and roof of the back entrance of the property, install new wood stairs and landing, replace the 29” rear door with a wood 36” door and add a ramp for ADA accessibility and add a 30” high railing to the front porch for safety. Materials for the new front porch roof will match the existing style and detail of the existing roof. All materials proposed will be wood and match the style and details existing. The proposed railing system will have 3.5” Victorian balusters, a 6-7” three-piece rail system with newel posts and caps, all painted cedar. The walkway to the new stairs and ramp will be pea gravel and/or similar driveway stone. Following discussion, HPC agreed that a railing addition to this Key Contributing building would be appropriate, and they approved the plan. A discussion on octagonal houses ensued. Motion by Mr. Testa to approve the plan as submitted seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC Public comment was opened at 8:37 p.m. and closed at 8:38 p.m. with no public comment. DISCUSSION HPC Application Form Mr. Coupland reported that a final draft had been distributed to HPC. Mr. Testa suggested a motion to approve it as submitted and leave edits to the Chair. A motion was made by Mr. Testa to approve the application forms as submitted with final edits to be made by the Chair, seconded by Ms. Campbell and carried with all in favor. HPC Design Standards Update Grant Ms. Campbell reported that the RFP was almost completed and would be submitted to the City on October 18 for approval and advertisement. Invitations for bidding will be sent to qualified consultants following advertisement. Mr. Carroll distributed a sample synthetic roofing product to HPC for discussion. A long discussion followed regarding the use of synthetic products in the historic district versus following the existing Federal and local Standards with conflicting opinions. No decisions were made. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 9:22 p.m. with all in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Judith E. Decker HPC Secretary HPC Minutes October 17, 2022 4