10/18/2021 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Monday, October 18, 2021 - 6:00 PM Opening: The regular meeting of the City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was called to order by Chairperson Warren Coupland at 6:00 p.m. 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: PRESENT Mr. Coupland, Chairperson Ms. Pessagno Mr. Carroll, Vice Chairperson Ms. Wilson Stridick Mr. Cogswell Mr. Stevenson (Alt. 1) Ms. Campbell Mr. Boecker (Alt. 2) Mr. Testa ABSENT: none Also Present: Robert Fineberg, Esq., HPC Solicitor, Judith Decker, HPC Assistant, Karen Keenan, HPC Secretary Bruce Britton, new HPC Compliance Officer, and Judith Decker, new HPC Assistant, were introduced and welcomed. RESOLUTION(S) Kimsey, 290 Windsor Avenue, 1023/6 – Resolution #2021-30 1022 Lafayette LLC, 1122 Lafayette Street, 1112/3&4 - Resolution #2021-31 Swain’s Property Management, 313 Jackson Street, 1061/76 – Resolution #2021-32 Dougherty, 512 Washington Street, 1050/2 - Resolution #2021-33 Cape May Sea Glass Properties, 933 Beach Avenue, 1081/16 - Resolution #2021-34 Walters, 223 North Street, 1031/41 - Resolution #2021-35 Marquis de Lafayette Condos, 501 Beach Avenue, 1047/1 - Resolution #2021-36 VTown Properties LLC, 1163 Lafayette Street, 1061/76 - Resolution #2021-37 Shapiro, 1413 Beach Avenue, 1161/1.13 - Resolution #2021-38 A motion was made by Mr. Carroll, seconded by Mr. Stevenson to approve Resolutions #2021-30 through 2021-38 as presented. The motion carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: Mr. Testa on Shapiro and Mr. Cogswell on VTown Properties. APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN REVIEW Van Walsum, 329 Congress Street, 1031/61 & 62, Contributing – Garage Renovation Johnson, 908 Corgie Street, 1090/17, 18, 19, Contributing – Shed, Fence, Pavers, Steps Brown, 1429 Beach Avenue, 1161/1.09, Non Contributing – Replace and Relocate Generator Pointer, 309 Claghorn Place, 1031/76, Contributing - Roof Davis, 1001 Maryland Avenue, 1104/59, Contributing - Front Porch Heald, 508 Jefferson Street, 1074/7, Non Contributing – Fence, Outdoor Shower 911 Washington Street LLC, 911 Washington Street, 1094/21, Contributing – HVAC Ernst & Day, 1010 Kearney Avenue, 1096/2, Contributing – Ductless Unit JF Equities LLC, 22 Jackson Street, 1034/7, Contributing – Roof Elwell, 808 Columbia Avenue, 1074/3, Contributing – Roof Dougherty, 512 Washington Street, 1050/2, Non Contributing – Signs Shapiro, 1413 Beach Avenue, 1161/1.13, Non Contributing – Landscape Plan Pool A motion was made by Mr. Testa, seconded by Mr. Cogswell to approve the applications Approved in Review. The motion carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Testa on Brown and Shapiro. HPC 1 October 18, 2021 APPLICATIONS ELAINE’S PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, 513 LAFAYETTE STREET, BLK 1053 LOTS 13 & 15 PORCH & REAR ADDITIONS CONTRIBUTING Steven Fenwick, Architect, and Owner Shirley Phinney were present with the proposed plan. Mr. Fenwick stated that conceptual approval was granted on October 26, 2020, with comments addressed: windows on the lower level were corrected to match the original windows; no other changes were made to the plan. Zoning Board has approved the plan. Mr. Fenwick confirmed that all new materials will match existing including asphalt roof shingles, wood crown fascia, wood beadboard soffits, wood horizontal siding, wood windows, wood trim, wood columns, wood decking, sawn balusters, exterior lighting. Following discussion, Mr. Carroll made a motion, seconded by Mr. Testa to approve the plan as presented. The motion carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. MULLOCK, 808 CORGIE STREET, BLK 1090 LOT 2 ADDITIONS TO REAR & SIDE CONTRIBUTING Attorney John Amenhauser represented the owner/applicant. He requested Final Approval for proposed rear and SW side additions. Zoning approval was granted. HPC expressed concern with the 876 square foot size of the addition which could threaten the Contributing status. HPC determined that additional detailed architectural, construction, and elevation plans were needed. Mr. Testa made a motion to table with a waiver of time constraints, seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Miss Campbell. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: none. ANEMONE, 275 WINDSOR STREET, BLK 1027 LOTS 14 & 15 KITCHEN ADDITION AND SIDING CONTRIBUTING Steven Fenwick, Architect, and Russell Anemone presented the application. Mr. Fenwick announced that he was filling in for the recently deceased architect. A rear yard gable roofed kitchen/bath addition proposal was discussed. Wood windows and replacement of asbestos siding with Hardie board and cedar siding are proposed on the addition, not shiplap as presented in the application. Asbestos currently sheaths the Craftsman style cottage. HPC suggested restoring the original clapboards to the house. Asphalt roofing, facia, soffits, window trim, doors, railing, decking and the outside shower enclosure are to be to be replaced in kind. A masonry foundation with stucco is proposed. A change in the driveway plan from concrete to permeable pavers is preferred by the applicant. HPC requested a cut sheet for the pavers and windows, preferring a brick color for the pavers. Mr. Carroll made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cogswell, to approve the Application as presented subject to submission of the cut sheets for the wood windows and pavers for Final Approval. The motion carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. ADIS INC (La MER), 1317 BEACH AVENUE, BLK 1146, LOTS 6,7,10-24 ICE SKATING RINK NON CONTRIBUTING Ron Gelzunas, Esq., and Manager of La Mer Francesca Santoro appeared seeking Final Approval for construction of seasonal ice rink within the existing parking lot of La Mer accessed from New Jersey Avenue and Beach Avenue. The applicant received site plan approval from Planning Board on October 12, 2021, conditioned on a one-year approval that the ice rink be closed by February 28. Applicants stated that the rink would be closed by 9 p.m. on weekdays, 8:30 on Sundays. Noise levels are to be 75% of permitted levels. A live green decorative barrier is planned so that it cannot be seen from New Jersey Avenue. Decorative lighting will be utilized for the skating area with no changes in external lighting. The applicant agreed to supply a detailed plan of the appearance of the barrier. Mr. Cogswell made a motion, seconded by Mr. Carroll, to approve the HPC 2 October 18, 2021 Application conditional upon submittal of barrier design and screening materials to Review Committee. The motion carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. SEASHELL PROPERTIES LLC, 609 HUGHES STREET, BLK 1058 LOT 31 RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS, COVERED PORCH, ROOF KEY CONTRIBUTING Commissioner John Boecker recused himself from this application. Architect John Boecker and applicants Donna and Gary Padussio, of Seashell Properties LLC, presented a plan to add a rear and side addition as follows: renovate the existing garage into a bedroom/bath to be connected to the main house; renovation of first and second floor spaces at the rear of house with small additions; add a new covered porch and roof over an existing patio. HPC expressed concern with the proposed large additions to a Key Contributing resource and did not support connecting the garage with the main house as appropriate. HPC would like to retain the street view of this resource to assure retention of Key status. Following discussion, HPC determined that attaching the garage to the main house was not appropriate. It would be detrimental to this Key Federal style resource, which is the oldest existing house on Hughes Street. Mr. Testa made a motion to Approve the application as presented, seconded by Mr. Cogswell. The motion was denied 0-7. Those in favor: none. Those opposed: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those abstaining: none. CAPE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS INC, 628 BROAD STREET, BLK 1060 LOT 8 NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE NON CONTRIBUTING Scott Peter, Cape Real Estate Developers, Inc, stated he received approval to demolish the existing house on June 28, 2021, and incorporated HPC recommendations into the new plan presented tonight. These include: larger dormers, additional windows, rear parking, larger columns, cedar siding, larger porch brackets and a brick foundation. Discussion ensued on the height of the first and second floors as presented. HPC concurred that they favored elevating the second floor height to reduce the porch roof pitch. It was agreed that there would be no front porch railing and the front yard grade would be raised. HPC granted Conceptual Approval with the conditions that the second floor height would be 9’ with the porch roof pitch reduced, no railings on the front and sides of the porch, and the grade would be raised to 10’ at front. Mr. Carroll made a motion, seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. The applicant agreed to return with an amended plan. WASHINGTON STREET MALL, 300-500 WASHINGTON STREET & CARPENTERS LANE INSTALLATION OF LED STRING LIGHTS CONTRIBUTING & NONCONTRIBUTING Pam Smarro, Washington Street Mall (WSM) and WSM Enhancement Committee presented Phase 1 of a permanent lighting plan for the Mall to hang 3000’ of shatterproof LED “soft warm” Edison string lights, 24” apart, crisscrossed across the mall and walkways to be attached to the gas lights to run the length of the Mall to Perry Street and along the west side of Carpenters Lane. This project was paid for by merchant donations. They feel the existing lighting does not adequately light the mall for safety. The applicant reported that the City Manager gave approval on September 20th to move forward with this project via email. Several members of HPC wanted more detailed plans of the installation plan, as the presented photos showed lights outlining the mall buildings with no wattage/foot candles presented. Mr. Coupland suggested tabling until detailed plans and evidence of the Manager’s approval can be presented. Ms. Pessagno supported moving forward with the plan. Mr. Testa made a motion to table. Public comment was taken from Steve Smarro in support of the project. In response to a question from Ms. Campbell, Solicitor Fineberg stated that an HPC review was necessary because the proposed project is proposed by a private organization. The applicants emphasized that they were not aware they were subject to HPC review and that the contracted installation was scheduled for October 21. Mr. Coupland again suggested tabling the project. Public comment was taken from Chris Bezaire regarding city projects, HPC 3 October 18, 2021 addressed by Mr. Fineberg. Mr. Cogswell seconded the motion. Mr. Smarro joined Ms. Smarro at the table. HPC had further questions regarding the plan, addressed by the applicants. Ms. Campbell suggested going forward with the application; Ms. Pessagno concurred. Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell and Mr. Coupland requested a site plan with the lighting shown and foot candle illumination. A vote was taken and the motion did not carry 3-4. Those in favor: Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: Ms. Wilson Stridick, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Carroll. Those abstaining: none. HPC agreed to work expeditiously with the applicants. Mr. Stevenson would like a safety review of the mall. Mr. Testa made a motion for a three-person subcommittee to work with Washington Street Mall for approval in review of safety considerations with a detailed lighting plan to be submitted. Mr. Carroll seconded the motion with the provision that the Chair pick himself and two others to comprise the committee. The motion carried 7-0. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. The applicants agreed to contact HPC. PLATZER, 208 OCEAN STREET, BLK 1049 LOT 2 DRIVEWAY, FENCE, POOL, DECK, PATIO CONTRIBUTING Ryan Platzer, owner, and applicant, proposed a plan to remove an existing concrete driveway and install a brick driving path, replace a rear existing fence with new cedar fence, install a gunite Pool with bluestone coping, a patio, a rear deck with pergola and a storage shed. Zoning approval was granted. Following discussion, Mr. Testa made a motion seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 7-0 to approve the plan as presented. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC: No comment DISCUSSION Solicitor Fineberg introduced four issues to HPC: 1) Section 525-62.H Zoning Ordinance regarding pools with suggested changes, 2) the HPC Application Form amendments, 3) potential inspections at resale of properties in Historic District, 4) Appropriate fines for non-compliance with a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Solicitor will send information to members for review. Mr. Testa made a motion, seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0, to amend the Historic Preservation Commission Application. Those in favor: Ms. Campbell, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Testa, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Carroll seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick at 9:14 p.m., with all in favor. A verbatim recording of said meeting is available on the City of Cape May website. Meeting conducted by: Karen Keenan – HPC Secretary Minutes respectfully submitted by: Judith E. Decker, HPC Assistant HPC 4 October 18, 2021