July 20 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - Virtual

City of Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Monday, July 20, 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 6:03 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 Absent Mr. Clemans Present Mr. Cogswell Present Mrs. Stridick Present Mr. Testa Present 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 June 15, 2020. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. RESOLUTION(S): Guinan, 1033 New York Avenue, 1103/39, 40 & 41 – Resolution #2020-06 Motion made by Mr. Testa to approve Resolutions #2020-06 as corrected. Seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. APPLICATIONS APPROVED IN REVIEW: First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street, 1048/1.01, Key Contributing – Roof, Sign 921 Cape May LLC, 921 Beach Avenue, 1081/19, Contributing – Dormer Windows Trim Smithson, 111 Ocean Street, 1057/26, Contributing – Roof Smithson, 115 Ocean Street, 1057/1, Contributing – Roof Lazer, 908 Wenonah Avenue, 1086/2, Contributing – Decking, Rail Posts, Shower Enclosure Gorman, 1142 Washington Street, 1110/28 & 29, Contributing – Rear Fence Boccella, 544 Elmira Street, 1054/3, Contributing – Front Fence Bajus, 1409 Beach Avenue, 1161/1.14, Not Rated – Windows, Patio Doors Belvedere Condo Association, 101 South Lafayette Street, 1025/10, Contributing – Shed Maher/Sloan, 1033 Lafayette Street, 1061/63.03, Contributing - Shed HPC 1 July 20, 2020 Summer Station Condos, 217 Beach Avenue, 1019/25, Contributing – Mansard Roof Cape Roc Condo Association, 1520 New Jersey Avenue, 1174/5-12, Not Rated – Roof, Facia, Soffits Atlantic City Electric Company, 602, 606-610 Elmira Street, 601, 607-609 Bank Street, 1055/3-8, Non Contributing – Substation Upgrades: New Control Buildings, Lighting, Temp Transformer/Trailer, Wall, Landscaping, Driveway, Gates Anderson, 919 Stockton Avenue, 1082/15, Contributing – Railings, Roof, Siding, Columns, Lattice Rogers, 201 South Broadway, 1023/26, Contributing – A/C Stand & Lattice Burns, 261 Grant Street, 1023/22, Contributing – Repair Porch, Decking, Posts, Facia, Soffits Congregation Mission of St. Vincent, 813 Stockton Avenue, 1068/17, Contributing – Roof Ploof, 1033 Washington Street, 1112/12, Contributing – Roof Harris, 922 Kearney Avenue, 1082/4 & 5, Not Rated - Stair & Porch Rails & Posts, Trim, Lattice, Porch Floor Tarrant, 905 Columbia Avenue, 1090/46.01, Non Contributing – Demolish Shed, New Garage, Pergola, Pad, Planters Motion made by Mr. Clemans to approve the Applications Approved in Review. Seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. Mr. Testa recused himself from the Bajus application approved in review. OLD BUSINESS: THIBODEAU……………………………………………………………………………………….636 HUGHES STREET RENOVATIONS/ADDITION BLK 1066 LOT 2 (CONTRIBUTING) Attorney Michael Lario of Nehmad Perillo Davis & Goldstein presented this application seeking final approval and certificate of appropriateness on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Lario explained that the application had received conceptual approval in June 2019 and Zoning Board approval on January 23, 2020. Applicants Brett and Laurie Thibodeau and Project Architect Warren Claytor were introduced by Mr. Lario. Chairperson Coupland asked what changes had been made since the presentation last year. Architect Claytor replied that they have provided the details of balusters, specifications for lighting and the fence that was part of an agreement with neighbors at the Zoning Board meeting. Chairperson Coupland confirmed with Architect Claytor that the wood windows are primed and not clad. Commissioners allotted time for questions on the application. Commissioner Carroll asked about the siding, and Mr. Thibodeau replied that they plan to remove the asbestos siding and use the existing wood cladding underneath and repair/match as needed. Commissioner Cogswell asked about the posts for the porch and the Commissioners agreed that the design was acceptable. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for final approval of the application subject to the windows to be non-clad, primed wood windows with no cladding on top them, that the asbestos siding will be removed and the wood underneath will be restored or replaced throughout the whole structure, and the newel posts are not an objection. Seconded by Mr. Cogswell and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Testa, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. HPC 2 July 20, 2020 NEW BUSINESS: SHAPIRO……………………………………………………………………………………………1413 BEACH AVENUE DEMO/NEW HOME/POOL/CABANA/DRIVEWAY/LANDSCAPING-BLK 1161 LOT1.13-(NOT RATED) Mr. Testa recused himself from the application. Senior Project Manager Dominic Shuster of Asher Sloan White Architects presented this application seeking final approval and certificate of appropriateness and described the house as constructed in late 1990’s to be replaced with new construction and a cabana and new pool added to the rear of the property. Chairperson Coupland asked if any of the Commissioners had any questions or observations and commented that both the existing and proposed houses are attractive. Commissioner Carroll asked if the whole house is coming down and the answer was that they plan to save as much of the existing foundation as possible and that two car garage in the rear will change to a one car garage. The nine points/criteria of demolition were reviewed noting that the last two points are for relocation and do not apply to this application. Motion made by Mr. Carroll for approval of demolition of the existing structure. Seconded by Mr. Clemans and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. Motion made by Mr. Clemans for approval of the application for the new structure as presented. Seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried 6-0. Those in favor: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Ms. Wilson Stridick, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those opposed: None. Those abstaining: None. SEA MIST CAPE MAY, LLC…………………………………………………………………..…927 BEACH AVENUE DECK BLK 1081 LOT 18 (CONTRIBUTING) Alan Hirsch, President of the Sea Mist Homeowners Association, was present for the application. Chairperson Coupland advised that he and Commissioner Clemans visited the property and looked at the wood deck. He went on to say that the HPC looks for the same material when replacement is needed and that the deck is unusual in that it is a tongue in groove wood deck running in the direction of the house instead of shedding water. He added that there is a gully that would create a puddle, in a rainstorm, which could contribute to the failure of the wood, which he said should be repaired instead of replaced. Mr. Hirsch said that the Association wants to use composite decking to replace the deck, which is twelve years old. He cited ordinances to indicate the Sea Mist is a rebuild by definition and that the request is not in conflict with the Design Standards. He said the reasons for the material requested are that the performance of the wood deck lasted less than ten years, there is a maintenance burden and a safety issue as the awning creates a drip line. Mr. Hirsch added that composite materials were permitted when for the columns of the Sea Mist when requested a few years ago. Mr. Hirsch showed seven exhibits, which he will send to the HPC Secretary. HPC 3 July 20, 2020 Chairperson Coupland asked Solicitor Fineberg to comment on the other properties. Solicitor Fineberg said that Zoning does take other properties into account; the HPC does not because each property is separate and unique. He went on to say that no construction plan with dimensions and railing system was included in the application. Commissioner Testa asked if Mr. Hirsch is contending that the Sea Mist is no longer a contributing property with the response being no; that it was torn to the ground and is a reconstruction. Mr. Hirsh said that he could not find the definition of “in kind” in an ordinance. Commissioner Cogswell said that the porch section on page 61 of the Cape May Historic Preservation Commission Design Standards, in the second paragraph, states that replacement should replicate on both materials and design for contributing and key contributing structures. Commissioner Cogswell suggested that they would want to correct the framing foundation under the deck, as there is an unevenness of the framing, and that may solve their problem. Commissioner Testa said he finds replicate to mean reproduce exactly in the same kind or wood for wood. Mr. Hirsch said he could not find the definition of replicate in any ordinance. Mr. Hirsch added that he felt the project is de minimus in nature. Mr. Testa asked for the square footage and it was determined that the square footage is 200-250 square feet. Commissioner Testa said that amount is not de minimus to him. There was discussion on composite columns that were approved in the past and whether composite material is different enough from wood. Commissioner Carroll said that the Commission cannot deviate from the standards for one application, and comparisons cannot be made to structures that are not like. Commissioner Carroll said he is sympathetic and shared information about sealants for decks. Commissioner Wilson Stridick asked if the structure is still a contributing building, and Chairperson Coupland replied that it is currently rated as contributing. Motion made by Mr. Cogswell for approval of the application as presented. Seconded by Mr. Cogswell and did not carry 0-6. Those in favor: None. Those opposed: Mr. Clemans, Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Coupland. Those abstaining: Ms. Wilson Stridick. OPEN TO PUBLIC: Discussion was open to the public at 6:58 PM and closed at 7:12 PM with no public coming forward. DISCUSSION: Chairperson Coupland shared with the Commissioners the results of Architectural Historian Emily Cooperman’s review of the Burgess application, for 903 Stockton Avenue, which was heard at the June 15, 2020 HPC meeting to determine if the rating of contributing would be reduced to non contributing if the proposed changes are approved by the HPC. Chairperson Coupland asked the HPC Secretary to distribute Dr. Cooperman’s report to the Commissioners and requested that the report be reviewed for further discussion at the August 17, 2020 meeting. HPC 4 July 20, 2020 Chairperson Coupland said that he proposes to draft an ordinance for presentation to City Council for standards for elevating buildings also to be discussed at the next meeting. He added that he believes that an elevation certificate should be submitted with each HPC application requesting elevation in addition to the survey. There was also discussion on the creation of the HPC compliance officer. Liaison Mullock said City Council has discussed this matter, and the position has been budgeted. Chairperson Coupland shared that Commissioner Yvonne Ryan submitted her resignation from the Commission to the Mayor, and Chairperson Coupland publicly thanked her for her participation on the HPC and wished her well. Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Cogswell at 8:22 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 5 July 20, 2020