11/20/2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes November 20, 2023 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. Cogswell Present Ms. Campbell Present Ms. Pessagno Present Ms. Wilson-Stridick Present Mr. Testa Present Mr. Stevenson (Alt. 1) Present Mr. Boecker (Alt. 2) Present Also Present: HPC Secretary Judith Decker, Solicitor Robert Fineberg and Deputy Mayor Lorraine Baldwin. MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the October 16, 2023, minutes seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson-Stridick. RESOLUTIONS Carlson-Glazer, 710 Columbia Avenue, Block 1071, Lot 3 - Resolution 2023-37 1005 Beach Avenue LLC, 1005 Beach Avenue, Block 1095, Lot 15 - Resolution 2023-38 Conrad, 347 Congress Street, Block 1031, Lots 82 & 83 - Resolution 2023-39 Bogle, 102 First Avenue, Block 1015, Lot 6 - Resolution 2023-40 Cela Tega LLC, 1521 Beach Avenue, Block 1174, Lots 15 & 16 - Resolution 2023-41 Young, 122 Decatur Street, Block 1041, Lot 6 - Resolution 2023-42 Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve Resolutions 2023-37 Through 2023-42 seconded by Ms. Cogswell and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson-Stridick and Mr. Testa from Cela Tega LLC. APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW Aubinoe, 111 Jefferson Street, Block 1082, Lot 22, Contributing - French Doors Beckman, 226 Perry Street, Block 1031, Lot 1, Contributing - Roofing Cape May City, Promenade, Block 1000, Not Rated - Showers Cape May Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, Block 1048, Lot 1.01, Key Contributing - Generator & Platform Cape Motels Inc, 1039 Beach Avenue, Block 1101, Lot 5, Non-contributing - Playhouse Coyne, 1155 Washington Street, Block 1113, Lot 19, Contributing - Reconstruct Front Porch Dempsey, 665 Hughes Street, Block 1058, Lot 15, Contributing - Heat Pump Gindville, 20 Gurney Street, Block 1056, Lot 10, Key Contributing - Fence Giordano, 933 Sewell Avenue, Block 1089, Lot 39, Contributing - Windows, Railings, Repair Siding, Columns, Stucco HPC Minutes November 20, 2023 1 Hendricks, 106 Trenton Avenue, Block 1131, Lot 17, Contributing - HVAC Island Creek Towers, 1488 Washington Street, Block 1160, Lot 4.01 C1-C5, Non-contributing - Driveway Itzkowitz, 911 Madison Avenue, Block 1111, Lot 12, Contributing - Windows Locke, 1144 Washington Street, Block 1110, Lot 31, Contributing - Siding Repair McQuiston, 825 Jefferson Street, Block 1092, Lot 37, Contributing - Fence Mears Family Trust, 1219 Lafayette Street, Block 1061, Lot 88, Contributing - Roofing Melso, 907 Stockton Avenue, Block 1081, Lot 19, Contributing - HVAC Morrow, 27 Mount Vernon Avenue, Block 1015, Lot 10, Non-contributing - Roofing Rantuccio LLC, 410 Washington Street, Block 1042, Lot 9, Contributing - Rear Deck, Stairs, Decking, Railings, Dumbwaiter Schaedler, 201 Beach Avenue Unit 23, Block 1019, Lot 28 C-23, Non-contributing - HVAC Snyder, 227 Beach Avenue Unit 301, Block 1019, Lot 24 C-301, Non-contributing - HVAC Sowa, 1228 Lafayette Street, Block 1129, Lot 11, Non-contributing - Roofing Stonitsch, 1216 New York Avenue, Block 1131, Lots 9.02, 10, Contributing - Roofing, Siding, Decking Swains Property Mgmt. LLC, 305 Jackson Street, Block 1040, Lot 2.01, Non-contributing - Roofing Weldon, 320 Jefferson Street, Block 1073, Lot 10.02, Contributing - Stairs & Railings Zulick, 240 Windsor Avenue, Block 1022, Lot 4, Contributing - Windows 288 Windsor Co, 288 Windsor Avenue, Block 1023, Lot 7, Non-contributing - Fence Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve the applications approved or denied in review seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Testa from Hendricks. OLD BUSINESS: Carlin – 1102 Lafayette Street, Block 1113, Lot 1 – Contributing Addition, Attached Garage, Shed, Windows, Driveway, Walkways, Fence Mr. Boecker recused from the application. Architect Pamela Fine appeared with owners Val and Marty Carlin seeking final approval following conceptual approval in April 2023 with a request to remove one of two chimneys formerly presented and submit a landscape plan to buffer the side addition from Lafayette Street. Ms. Fine announced that all variances were approved. HPC agreed to review only the changes. The landscape plan was presented and discussed. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval as submitted seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson- Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Boecker returned to the meeting. Cape May City - 715 Franklin Street, Block 1080, Lot 30, Key Contributing AME Church Steeple Tower, Stairs, ADA Ramp City Engineer Paul Dietrich presented the plan for Phase II of the project; Phase I was the completion of the roof and windows working with HPC. The size and scope of the project was reviewed with members of the HPC and the design team. Mr. Dietrich noted that one change is the addition of a 3’ landing with the stairs as required by code. All materials will match the original materials for this project. Mr. Coupland stated that the height is shorter and the proportion of the steeple differ from the historic photo submitted. Following discussion, Mr. Dietrich agreed to revise the proportions of the steeple and shorten the ramp with Czak Engineering. Mayor Mullock joined the meeting. Mr. Dietrich announced that discussions are underway with Atlantic City Electric to move HPC Minutes November 20, 2023 2 electric cables underground on Franklin Street for safety. It was agreed that SHPO would review the HPC approved plan for this building. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to issue a favorable advisory report conditional upon revisions to the plans of the height and proportions of the steeple and the ADA ramp moved further back to be sent to the review committee with the recommendation that electric services be moved underground for safety seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Cape May City - 717 Franklin Steet, Block 1080, Lot 31, Non-Contributing Demolition City Engineer Paul Dietrich and Mayor Zack Mullock presented the plan to demolish the deteriorated non- contributing house at 717 Franklin Street and noted a letter of support from the Cape May County Library and presented seven of the nine points of demolition. Mr. Corbin stated that the house was once the parsonage for the AME church next door. Mr. Coupland added that the SHPO was supportive of demolition which has been in consideration for some time. The city intends to use the space for parking. Motion made by Mr. Testa to issue a favorable advisory report for demolition seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson- Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Cogswell. Peterson - 244 Windsor Avenue, Block 1022, Lot 2, Contributing Roof, Siding, Rear Addition, Deck, Railings, Steps Architect Catherine Lorentz appeared with clients Heather and Gordon Peterson to present a plan with no variances needed. Ms. Lorentz explained that the existing non-compliant front concrete steps would be demolished and replaced with wooden steps with a landing. The railings will be wood featuring square balusters 2” thick, 3” apart with a 3” top cap to match the existing square columns; existing asbestos siding will be replaced with wood clapboard. A new reconfigured rear addition adding 2.5’ length to the house with a wood French door and a 12’ wood deck is planned. New siding will be wood clapboard with wood trims, new roofing will match existing asphalt, any new windows will be 6/1 all wood windows with lattice at the stucco foundation. HPC agreed that the plan was well done and improved the exterior of the house. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval as submitted seconded by Ms. Wilson-Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Hoff - 817 Corgie Street, Block 1091, Lot 18, Contributing Rear Addition Mr. Boecker recused himself from this application. Owner Rick Hoff presented the plan for a 16’ X 20’ great room addition with a setback to his home with no variances needed. Six wood windows and two sets of French doors are proposed with cedar siding and an asphalt roof. HPC liked the discreet addition and decided to treat the application as final with construction plans to be approved in review. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval subject to full construction plans submitted to the review committee seconded by Ms. Wilson-Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. HPC Minutes November 20, 2023 3 Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Raimo - 266 Grant Street, Block 1019, Lot 7, Non-contributing Demolition Architect Catherine Lorentz appeared with Jim and Carol Raimo to request a demolition. Ms. Lorentz explained that a newer rear addition would be retained, raised, and become part of the new house proposed. The detached garage will be retained. She recited and responded to seven of the nine points of demolition. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve partial demolition seconded by Ms. Pessagno and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson- Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Raimo - 266 Grant Street, Block 1019, Lot 7, Non-contributing New House Architect Catherine Lorentz appeared with Jim and Carol Raimo seeking conceptual approval for a 2.5 story new house including the original rear addition retained following demolition. Ms. Lorentz announced that a zoning variance will be sought for an increase in the floor area ratio. She reviewed the height of the proposed house at 35’, below maximum allowed at 40’. She presented the plan for the new house. HPC did not favor the design of the front façade, the height within the streetscape or the dormers proposed. Following discussion with suggestions from HPC, it was decided to table the application. Ms. Lorentz agreed to grant a waiver of the 45-day review period. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to table the application with the granted waiver of the 45-day requirement seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC Public comment was opened at 8:00 p.m. and closed at 8:06 p.m. with no public coming forward to comment. DISCUSSION Local Historic District Map Mr. Coupland reviewed the 2019 process to improve the map of the historic district by straightening the boundaries which was denied by the Planning Board. He distributed the proposed map that was approved unanimously by the HPC and SHPO in 2019 for reconsideration. It was recently approved in a meeting with Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Boecker, Mayor Mullock, City Engineer Dietrich and City Solicitor Gillan-Schwartz. The current map excludes properties surrounded by included properties. The proposed map is an attempt to improve the streetscapes by including those properties and to add the promenade. Following discussion, it was agreed to include the promenade and all buildings and the beach to the high-water mark. Motion made by Mr. Testa seconded by Mr. Carroll to adopt the proposed draft historic district map as presented with the modification to include the territory which is bounded on the south by the mean high water mark. The motion carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson-Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. HPC Minutes November 20, 2023 4 Mr. Fineberg announced that the approved map would return to HPC to be approved by resolution to go to the Planning Board. Payment of Bills Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to authorize payment of the bills seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson- Stridick. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Parking Beneath Buildings Mr. Coupland reminded HPC that use of space under buildings that have been elevated to comply with FEMA regulations was restricted to “no parking, no storage, no living” when a city ordinance was passed. He asked HPC to consider whether parking under new buildings or existing buildings should be denied by amending the existing ordinance as consistent with HPC discussions that it was not appropriate to the Cape May streetscape. Deputy Mayor Baldwin will investigate a revision and report back next month. Discussion ensured with no decision. Ms. Wilson-Stridick departed the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Conceptual Approvals Mr. Coupland announced that a subcommittee is needed to study the problem of HPC conceptual approvals being presented verbally by applicants or their representatives at Zoning or Planning Board meeting that may not be accurate. The city solicitor drafted a sample letter of HPC conceptual approval to be sent to those boards as evidence. Mr. Testa, Deputy Mayor Baldwin and Mr. Fineberg will compose this letter in subcommittee with Solicitor Gillan-Schwartz and report back to HPC. HPC Agenda Solicitor Fineberg reported that the existing Bylaws state that HPC will not review applications after 10:30 p.m. with no comment or testimony after 11 p.m. with the meeting convening at 7 p.m. Mr. Testa stated that he is drafting updated bylaws. Following discussion, HPC agreed to a 9 p.m. limit for new business with all business ending at 9:30 p.m. There followed a discussion regarding the number of applicants on the agenda. It was suggested by Mr. Testa to set the time by resolution and not in the Bylaws. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Campbell at 8:50 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 November 20, 2023 5