12/18/2023 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Minutes December 18, 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 Absent Mr. Testa Present Ms. Pessagno Present Ms. Wilson-Stridick 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 November 20, 2023, Minutes seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. RESOLUTIONS Carlin, 1102 Lafayette Street, Block 1113, Lot 1 - Resolution 2023-43 Peterson, 244 Windsor Avenue, Block 1022, Lot 2 - Resolution 2023-44 Hoff, 817 Corgie Street, Block 1091, Lot 18 - Resolution 2023-45 Raimo, 266 Grant Street, Block 1019, Lot 7 - Resolution 2023-46 Cape May Historic District Local Map - Resolution 2023-47 Motion made by Mr. Testa to adopt Resolutions 2023-43 through 2023-47 seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. APPLICATIONS APPROVED/DENIED IN REVIEW Anderson, 1221 Lafayette Street, 1061/89.01, Contributing - Windows Bassett Family LLC, 701 Kearney Avenue, 1063/9, Contributing - Extension RES 2022-04, Correction Bell Cottage LLC, 18 Patterson Avenue, 1018/3, Non-contributing - Fence Bucci, 217 Grant Street, 1022/26, Contributing - Porch Roofing Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington Street, 1059/12, Contributing - Fence Celio, 120 Decatur Street, 1041/7, Contributing - Window Sash Kits Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, 1028/1.01, Key Contributing - Restore/Rebuild Balcony Windows Curtin, 911 Washington Street, 1094/21, Contributing - Pool, Fence Herrighty, 902 St. James Place, 1061/68 C-902, Not Rated - Windows, Doors Demato Family LLC, 1236 Lafayette Street, 1129/16, Non-contributing - Condenser DiLullo, 224 Grant Street, 1019/16.01, Non-contributing - Roofing HPC Minutes December 18, 2023 1 Dockline Holdings LLC, 607 Jefferson Street, 1090/48, Non-contributing - Roofing Falconer, 1018 Stockton Avenue, 1095/5.01, Contributing - Restore Windows Hodge, 1205 Beach Avenue #16, 1130/26 C-16, Non-contributing - Heat Pump Kiraly, 295 Windsor Avenue, 1027/23.02, Contributing - Roofing Kolandaivelu, 100 Jefferson Street, 1068/11 C-4, Contributing - Two Windows Knappen, 915 Stockton Avenue, 1082/17, Contributing - Window Sash Kits Lynch, 825 Stockton Avenue, 1068/13 C-1, Contributing - Railing New Jersey Cape Properties LLC, 1006 Washington Street, 1110/2, Contributing - Roof Pitch, Two Windows Noel, 1303 New Jersey Avenue, 1147/37, Non-contributing - Posts, Railings Quinn, 38 Jackson Street, 1034/2, Contributing - Fire Escape Repair Roberts, 432 West Perry Street, 1031/10 C-4, Contributing - Condenser Roddy, 12 South Broadway, 1016/7, 8, Contributing - Railings Testa, 1501 Beach Avenue, 1174/28, 29, Key Contributing - Railings The Tides Condominium Association, 5 Jackson Street, 1041/16 C201 to C507, Non-contributing - Garage Doors Thistle, 1221 Beach Avenue, 1130/23.01, Non-contributing - Fence Thurman, Denied, 509 Hughes Street, 1049/8, Not Rated - Wall Uygur, 1212 New Jersey Avenue, 1130/7,8, Non-contributing - Fence Van Walsum, 329 Congress Street, 1031/61, Contributing - Fence 1 S Lafayette LLC, 1 South Lafayette Street, 1021/9, Contributing - Doors, Lattice 248 Grant Street QPR Trust, 248 Grant Street, 1019/12, Non-contributing - Retaining Wall 921 Cape May LLC, 921 Beach Avenue, 1081/19, Key Contributing - Rebuild Porch Roof Motion made by Mr. Stevenson 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, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: Mr. Testa from Testa. Announcements Mr. Coupland announced that the New Jersey Preservation Award for the Cape May Standards was hung in City Hall. HPC also received an award for participation in the development of the Standards. That award will be hung near the HPC office. Retirements from HPC Mr. Coupland announced that Mr. Fineberg is retiring as Solicitor of HPC after 25 years of service following this meeting. Mayor Mullock read a Proclamation thanking Mr. Fineberg for his advocacy of historic preservation on HPC and also for serving as the City Solicitor for many years. Following a round of applause, Mr. Fineberg made a statement recognizing the significance of Cape May and his appreciation of the city. Mr. Coupland announced that Philippa Campbell has retired from HPC and would be recognized. She will continue to work on special HPC projects. Mr. Coupland announced that Corbin Cogswell was retiring from HPC at the conclusion of the meeting. Mr. Cogswell stated that he has served for 25 years on HPC and worked to codify and establish the first standards book and would miss serving on HPC. Mayor Mullock thanked both Mr. Cogswell and Ms. Campbell for their service and assistance to the city. Mayor Mullock sought a member of HPC to be part of a Planning Board subcommittee on artificial turf with input from all boards. Mr. Stevenson agreed to volunteer. APPLICATIONS OLD BUSINESS: Muraika & McLaughlin - 1009 Kearney Avenue, Block 1097, Lots 8 & 9, Non-contributing HPC Minutes December 18, 2023 2 New Home Architect Pamela Fine, Fine Architecture, appeared with owner Marianne McLaughlin seeking final approval following conceptual approval on October 17, 2022. All variance requests were approved by the Zoning Board. Ms. Fine noted the adjustments to the plans as follows: the location of the house was moved forward to align with adjacent houses at 13’ from the street to the front deck line, the exterior stairway was revised to a linear configuration, the Hardi Board siding profile was changed from horizonal clapboards to shingle style, and 2’ deep canvas front porch awnings were added to the plan to match existing. HPC agreed that the changes improved the plan. Ms. Fine confirmed that the brick would be terra cotta color and the awnings were not mechanical. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to grant final approval conditional upon no parking or garages under the house with final construction plans submitted to the review committee seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. NEW BUSINESS: Cape May City - 1410 Harbor View Lane, Block 1173, Lot 1, Not in Historic District Harbor View Park Reconstruction City Engineer Paul Dietrich and Mayor Zack Mullock presented a conceptual plan for Harborview Park using uniform designs for waterfront parks from Cape May County Open Space, which will fund up to 70% of improvements. The plan is for the upgraded park to remain passive and blend with HPC Standards. The administration sought HPC input and an advisory letter to bring to the County. All agreed that the park elements should fit in with Cape May. HPC noted that the gazebo and pergola designs, lounge chairs and modular seating were contemporary and not appropriate and thought that the bocce ball courts, and sack game should be deleted and the design softened. HPC favored the increased parking, Adirondack seating and tables with chairs and suggested using the usual city signage with the logo and HPC approved font. Following discussion, HPC agreed to issue a favorable advisory letter with comments. Mayor Mullock stated that the plan would return to HPC. Motion made by Mr. Testa to issue a favorable advisory letter seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Cape May City - 100 Beach Avenue, Block 1000, Lot 14, Not Rated Siding, Decking, Railings - Pavilion City Engineer Paul Dietrich and Mayor Zack Mullock presented a plan for maintenance upgrades to the pavilion consisting of clapboard Hardie Board siding with railing top sills and flooring of Ipe wood for durability. Mr. Coupland added that this application previously came before the review committee. Motion made by Mr. Testa to issue a favorable advisory letter seconded by Mr. Coupland and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Macedonia Baptist Church - 630 Lafayette Street, Block 1059, Lot 2, Contributing Front Stairs and Landing, ADA Ramp, Railings Architect Paul Farnan, Fulcrum Architecture, was present with Daniel Money, Chairman Deacon of the Board and Linda Anderson Townes, Trustee Chairperson and Deacon seeking conceptual approval. Mr. Farnan stated HPC Minutes December 18, 2023 3 that zoning variances were needed for all yard requirements. He explained that ADA accessibility upgrades to the church including replacing the front concrete steps with a code compliant landing and wood stairs. A wood ramp and rails are proposed as well as roofing the side/rear exit and adding an enclosed rear facing lift with any new siding to be asphalt. Mr. Coupland noted that the plan was reviewed several times with the review committee to comply with the Standards. Mr. Carroll asked for 3” between railing balusters. HPC liked the plan. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell to grant conceptual approval conditional upon 3” vertical railing baluster separations seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Sawyer’s Dowry LLC - 655 Hughes Street, Block 1058, Lots 10 & 18, Contributing Patio, Pool, Driveway, Walkways, Fence, Landscaping Mr. Carroll recused himself from the application. Landscape Architect Karen Clancy, Refugia Design, appeared for Sawyer’s Dowry seeking final approval for an exterior space design. Mr. Fineberg advised Ms. Clancy that a letter stating her representation would be required as a condition of approval. HPC was concerned with the three-car parking configuration and asked that all parking be beyond the front façade of the house. Ms. Clancy agreed to alter the position of the third car as per HPC suggestion which would require the removal of one tree. Ms. Clancy noted that all plantings would be native species. Motion made by Mr. Testa to grant final approval conditional upon receipt of an engagement letter from the owner, a revised parking plan submitted to the review committee and approval by the Shade Tree Commission seconded by Ms. Wilson Stridick and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Carroll returned to the meeting. Damato Family LLC - 1236 Lafayette Street, Block 1129, Lot 16, Non-contributing Dormers Architect Steven Tomassetti, AEON Architecture, and owner Mark Damato, were present to propose a plan to add two gabled dormers to the front roof of the house following a fire. The two dormers will be sided with fiber cement shingles to match the original siding with asphalt roofing and 1/1 vinyl windows. HPC favored the plan as appropriate and commended the owner for saving the cottage. Motion made by Mr. Carroll to grant final approval seconded by Mr. Testa and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. OPEN TO PUBLIC Public comment was opened at 7:43 p.m. and closed at 7:44 p.m. with no public coming forward to comment. DISCUSSION Payment of Bills HPC Minutes December 18, 2023 4 Mr. Coupland stated that he signed the Bill Payment Form for December. Mr. Testa and Mr. Fineberg opined that no vote was needed. HPC Advisory Reports Mr. Coupland announced that advisory reports have been submitted and will be distributed. Mr. Testa submitted a comprehensive advisory letter draft to the Chair. Mr. Testa was asked to circulate the draft to HPC for edits. Conceptual Approvals Mr. Testa reported that the sub-committee put together a conceptual approval notice draft for use in front of other city boards. Draft comments have been received. Discussion ensured. Mr. Fineberg noted two reasons for HPC conceptual approval: 1) an application is pending before the Zoning Board so final cannot be granted or 2) plans are too preliminary to be final. Additional developmental discussion ensued. Mr. Testa agreed to revisit the master and report next month. Parking Beneath Buildings Ms. Baldwin and Mr. Coupland held a discussion on the subject. It was agreed that the current city ordinance did not include new construction and HPC would like a city-wide ordinance prohibiting parking under residential structures. Discussion ensued on the topic. Mr. Boecker volunteered to draft the letter. Ms. Pessagno requested that boat parking be addressed. Mr. Stevenson agreed to investigate regulations in neighboring municipalities. Ms. Wilson-Stridick exited the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Coupland reviewed the boundaries of the HPC approved map of the new Historic District to be attached to Resolution 2023-47. Discussion ensued on the map. Mr. Testa made a motion to rescind the motion made at the November 20, 2023, meeting to set the southern boundary at the mean high-water mark and accept the map as presented seconded by Mr. Boecker and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Coupland, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Pessagno, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Boecker. Those opposed: none. Those abstaining: none. Mr. Fineberg announced that the resolution and map would be submitted to the Planning Board. National Trust – Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors Mr. Coupland announced that what the HPC has been deciding upon should remain as per original materials and not changed every time the Secretary of the Interior issues briefs, such as Preservation Brief 16. Following discussion, Ms. Decker agreed to distribute the subject Brief to HPC. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 9:43 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 December 18, 2023 5