11-23-2020 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - Virtual

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Monday, November 23, 2020 - 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 6:01 PM virtually on Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook. 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. Cataldo Present Mr. Clemans Present Mr. Cogswell Present Ms. Wilson Stridick Present Mr. Testa Absent Vacant Alt. 1 -------- Mr. Stevenson Alt. 2 Present Also Present: Robert Fineberg, Esquire – Commission Solicitor Zack Mullock, Commission Liaison Karen Keenan, HPC Secretary Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to approve the minutes of October 26, 2020. Seconded by Mr. Clemans and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: Mr. Stevenson. RESOLUTION(S): McBride, 11 Decatur Street, 1047/8 – Resolution #2020-14 Kriebel, 1106 New York Avenue, 1116/3 – Resolution #2020-15 Carlson-Glazer, 820 Sewell Avenue, 1073/8 – Resolution #2020-16 Hardin, 1117 Beach Avenue, 1115/24 – Resolution #2020-17 Boettcher, 1209 Lafayette Street, 1061/83.02 – Resolution #2020-18 Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve Resolution #2020-14, #2020-16, #2020-17 and #2020-18. Seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: Mr. Stevenson. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to approve Resolution #2020-15. Seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 5-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. HPC 1 November 23, 2020 APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN REVIEW: Riter, 283 Windsor Avenue, 1027/19, Not Rated – Generator Sherrill, 210 Perry Street, 1030/8, Contributing – Generator on Platform Smid, 227 Beach Avenue #702, 1019/24 C-702, Non Contributing – Railing Flynn, 1248 Lafayette Street, 1129/20, Contributing – Windows Devlin, 9 Jackson Street #313, 1041/16 C-313, Non Contributing – HVAC McVea, 9 Jackson Street #405, 1041/16 C-405, Non Contributing – HVAC Moehrle, 1301 Maryland Avenue, 1149/46, Contributing – HVAC Davis, 5 Mt. Vernon Avenue, 1017/8, Contributing – Paver Driveway Maguire, 807 Corgie Street, 1091/20 & 21, Non Contributing – Rear Sunroom Addition Hathaway, 823 Corgie Street, 1091/15, Contributing – Siding, Dormer Addition Carr, 957 Sewell Avenue, 1089/26, Contributing – Bathroom Addition, Sidewalks Adams, 1250 Washington Street, 1128/30.02, Contributing – Roof Smith, 712B Corgie Street, 1077/2 C-712B, Contributing – Reconstruct Deck, Replace Roofing Smeraldi, 9 Jackson Street #410, 1041/16 C-410, Not Rated – HVAC Legere, 1112 New York Street, 1116/6, Contributing – Generator on Platform Hodavance, Yazdani & Sassani, 815 Stockton Avenue, 1068/17, Contributing – Deck, Roofing, Railing Mazzitelli, 307 Congress Street, 1031/55 & 56, Non Contributing – Shed Horan, 219 North Street, 1031/43, Contributing – Fencing Locke, 1144 Washington Street, 1110/31, Contributing – Siding Moffatt, 806 Sewell Avenue, 1073/4, Contributing – Roof VT Urban Renewal LLC, 608 Washington Street, 1058/1, Not Rated – Fence Neff, 651 Hughes Street, 1058/19, Contributing – Pavers, Sidewalk, Curb Briant, 215.5 North Street, 1031/45, Contributing (Non Contributing) – Demo Rear Workshop Mondschein, 9 Jackson Street #314, 1041/16 C-314, Not Rated – HVAC Ver Steeg, 14 Second Avenue, 1012/8, Non Contributing – Windows, Doors, Siding, Trim, Facia, Molding, Railing Motion made by Mr. Clemans to approve the Applications Approved in Review. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. DeMario, 26 Congress Street, 1024/3, Contributing – HVAC Motion made by Mr. Clemans to approve the Application Approved in Review. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson Stridick. OLD BUSINESS: MURRAY….……………………………………………………………………….…819 KEARNEY AVENUE ELEVATE & RENO HOUSE/REHAB GARAGE BLK 1072 LOT 7.01 (CONTRIBUTING) Architect Joseph Ross of Joseph Ross, LLC, presented this application for owners, Ryan and Michelle Murray, who were also present at the meeting. Architect Ross described the project which received conceptual approval in April 2020 with conditions to return after Zoning Board review. He advised that the Zoning Board approval was received on October 22, 2020. Architect Ross said that the conditions of the HPC have been addressed, and the lighting and fence cut sheets are provided with the application. He said the garage that is present is proposed to remain but to lift it about a foot and a half and the pool equipment is to go inside. He added that the garage roof will be wood; details on the railing and retaining wall of brick to match the pavers were described. HPC 2 November 23, 2020 Commissioners were allotted time for questions and comments. Chairperson Coupland complimented Architect Ross on the presentation. Motion made by Mr. Clemans for final approval as presented. Seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. NEW BUSINESS: DEMUTIS.………..……………………….………………....................................22 OCEAN STREET SOLAR ROOF TILES BLK 1047 LOT 4 (CONTRIBUTING) Onix Garcia of Tesla was present for this application. Chairperson Coupland asked about the mansard roof work that he observed at the property. Chairperson Coupland said that an application for the mansard roof work needs to be submitted for review from the HPC. Mr. Garcia asked to table the application with a waiver of the time constraints and to return to the meeting at the end of the agenda. SHADYSIDE LANE LLC………………………………………………………1325 NEW YORK AVENUE NEW DETACHED GARAGE & PORCH BLK 1148 LOT 23 (CONTRIBUTING) Architect Paul Farnan of Fulcrum Design Group represented the applicant for this application for a garage and porch. He described the materials proposed as the same materials that were formerly approved by the HPC including a Clopay garage door and asphalt roof and added that the lower sloped roof for the screen porch is to accommodate the second story windows. Commissioners were allotted time for questions and comments. Commissioner Carroll asked about the siding on the main house. Architect Farnan said the siding is compressed cement fiber shingles to replicate the cedar shake look. Commissioner Carroll asked about the railing system including the spacing and heavy top rails, and Architect Farnan said they would be the same as the house. Commissioner Cataldo asked about the positioning of the garage relative to the neighboring garage, and Architect Farnan said the proposed garage would be a little bit closer to the street. Motion made by Mr. Carroll that the application be approved as presented. Seconded by Mr. Cataldo and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. KG III REALTY LLC…..…………………………………..…………..………1213 LAFAYETTE STREET ELEVATE GARAGE ROOF BLK 1061 LOT 85.01 (NON CONTRIBUTING) Architect Paul Farnan of Fulcrum Design Group presented this application to modify the roofline of a two-story garage, with an apartment, that is located behind a single family home. He added that the windows, garage door, stair, landing and vinyl siding are to be replaced with the stucco to remain. Commissioners were allotted time for questions and comments. HPC 3 November 23, 2020 Motion made by Mr. Cogswell that the application be approved as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. VAN WALSUM……………………………………………………………………..329 CONGRESS STREET MAJOR RENOVATION BLK 1031 LOT 61 & 62 (CONTRIBUTING) Chairperson Coupland said that this application should be considered new construction. He added that this property was a contributing property that he feels is no longer contributing as extensive work was done beyond what was approved by the HPC. Owner Martin Van Walsum was present for the application. Chairperson Coupland reported that he met with Mr. Van Walsum to go over the issues at this property. Commissioners were allotted time for questions and comments. Commissioner Cogswell reported that he visited the house. He found the materials used to be appropriate, the design more useful to the owners, but there has been so much change over the years. Commissioner Stevenson felt that the property appears to be much different. Commissioners Cataldo, Clemans and Wilson Stridick agreed that the materials are appropriate. Commissioner Wilson Stridick agreed with the others’ comments and said that the materials are congruent. She added that the new construction is an imitation. Commissioner Carroll hoped that this is proof that a compliance officer is needed from time of approval to the start of work. Council Liaison Mullock remarked that we cannot afford to lose contributing houses and agrees that enforcement is needed. He added that he hopes the position can be established soon. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell that the application be approved as presented and as new construction. Seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. OCEANFRONT PROPERTIES LLC……………………………………………....1045 BEACH AVENUE REUILD ATRIUM BLK 1101 LOT 7, 8, 9 (NOT RATED) Mike Lario, Esq. of Nehmad Perrillo Davis and Goldstein introduced the application for this property, known as the Grand Hotel, to replace the atrium ceiling with a conventional roof Attorney Lario introduced Architect Jerry Blackman of OSK Design Partners and Bob Belanson of Oceanfront Properties. Architect Blackman gave a history of the current building. He referred to and described Sheet A-2-1 Building Elevation and Details and noted that the area to be renovated has no frontage on streets. He said the atrium is to be enclosed with fiber cement board with five-inch exposure and an aluminum glass storefront and a lower roof to be constructed and the sun deck is to remain with new railing in the Craftsman style with newel posts with lighting. He went on to say that the vaulted roof will be removed and replaced with a standing seam Atas brand metal roof with one and one half seam heights. Architect Blackman described the parking garage entrance with the windows to remain with Bahama shutters to be added over the windows, a standing seam room metal roof above and the stucco to be replaced by horizontal Hardie cement siding. He added that the existing red brick is to be painted Serious Gray as shown on the paint chip submitted to give continuity. Then Architect Blackman described the proposed vertical sign backlit with LED on the atrium entrance. HPC 4 November 23, 2020 Commissioners were allotted time for questions and comments. Chairperson Coupland noted that the HPC has not approved LED lit signage in the Historic District and that there are approved fonts. Commissioner Carroll commented that the details are excellent but a mixture of elements such as the Chippendale railing system among others and asked why not repeat at the parking entrance. He commented that the likes gray but prefers a lighter gray; however, he said the HPC does not approve colors. Commissioner Wilson Stridick said the atrium does need work and the proposed changes make sense. She asked about the font for the sign, and Mr. Belanson said the font is Edwardian script. Commissioner Clemans found the plans to be unwieldy and said the design is modernistic but that the concepts are innovative. Commissioner Cataldo agreed with Commissioner Carroll’s comments. Commissioners Stevenson and Cogswell found the upgrades to be improvements. Chairperson Coupland agreed with the comments of the other Commissioners and had a question about the lighting of the sign. Architect Blackman said the letters would be made of metal and elevate off of the surface with an LED strip behind the letters. He added that the detail is more modern, and they could look at a redesign of the sign. Chairperson Coupland expressed concern about the font and the LED having a bright white cast when there are LED lights that have a yellow or softer blue cast. Commissioner Carroll wondered if a sign at the spot is needed at all when the signage out front is present. Attorney Lario said the font of the sign is a part of the branding of the hotel, but they could agree to the warmer LED lights and an approved font under the HPC standards. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell that the application be approved as presented with the exception of the signage at the side and details as to the unfinished elements of design between the two open parking areas to be submitted to the Review Committee for approval. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. DEMUTIS.………..……………………….………………....................................22 OCEAN STREET SOLAR ROOF TILES BLK 1047 LOT 4 (CONTRIBUTING) The HPC returned to hearing the application for this property. Onix Garcia of Tesla explained that the project is for solar roof tile on the uppermost roof not the mansard roof. Chairperson Coupland asked about the cedar shakes he observed being installed on the mansard roof, and Mr. Garcia replied that the mansard roof work is being done by the homeowner’s contractor not Tesla. Mr. Garcia said the 3/12 pitch makes the roof not visible from the street. Chairperson Coupland said that this application for the solar roof tiles only. Commissioners were allotted time for questions and comments. Motion made by Mr. Carroll that the application be approved and reflect that the tile shingles will only be on the flattest most top surface of the roof and not affect the visibility to the dormer windows and the mansard roof in any way whatsoever and will not be visible from the street and is limited to that area. Seconded by Mr. Cogswell HPC 5 November 23, 2020 and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Cataldo, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. Chairperson Coupland asked the Commission Secretary to inform the Construction Office of the discussion at the meeting and that a stop work order seems appropriate until the HPC has an appropriate application for the mansard roof work. OPEN TO PUBLIC: Discussion was open to the public at 7:20 PM and closed at 7:40 PM with no public coming forward. DISCUSSION: Meetings Location Virtual Versus In-Person Commissioners discussed holding meetings in person versus virtual meetings. They agreed that they prefer in-person meetings and that they would like to return to in–person meetings as soon as possible. HPC Applications Chairperson Coupland asked the Commissioners to think about the approve in review process. He reported that he sometimes does a visit of a property with a pending application only to discover that the proposed work is already done or underway. He asked for recommendations about what should be done. Commissioner Cogswell commented that it has been happening for years, is better now but still ongoing. Commissioner Cataldo suggested putting a note on the application that no work can commence until the application is approved. It was agreed that Solicitor Fineberg will draft a note to the Construction Official regarding the ordinance. Commissioner Carroll said that fines have a great way of solving things. Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 7:40 PM, with all in favor. A verbatim recording of said meeting is available on the City of Cape May website in the Livestream section. Respectfully submitted: Karen Keenan – HPC Secretary HPC 6 November 23, 2020