Architectural Review Board

Minutes Architectural Review Board January 13, 2020 Council Chambers, City Hall Fredericksburg, Virginia Members Present Members Absent Staff Carthon Davis, III, Chair James Whitman Kate Schwartz Karen Irvin, Vice Chair Tammy Gusernan Jonathan Gerlach Adriana Moss Susan Pates Sabina Weitzman Chairman Gerlach called the Architectural Review Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. OPENING REMARKS Chairman Gerlach determined that a quorum was present, and asked if public notice requirements had been met. Ms. Schwartz confirmed that they had. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Pates requested that two items be added to Other Business: an update on the Slave Auction Block, and an update on the Mary Washington Caretaker’s Lodge. Mr. Davis motioned to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Weitzman seconded. The motion carried 6-0. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairman Gerlach opened the floor for nominations for Chair of the Architectural Review Board. Ms. Weitzman made a motion to nominate Mr. Davis as the Chair. Ms. Irvin seconded. The motion carried 6-0. Chairman Gerlach then opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair. Ms. Weitzman made a motion to nominate Karen Irvin as the Vice Chair. Ms. Pates seconded. The motion carried 6-0. Chairman Davis welcomed new member Adriana Moss to the ARB. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Davis asked if there were any changes or additions to the minutes of the regular meeting dated December 9, 2019. Mr. Gerlach motioned to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Weitzman seconded. The motion carried 6-0. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Davis asked if any Board member had engaged in any exparte communication on any item before the Board. No Board members had any exparte communication to report. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Chairman Davis asked if any Board member had a conflict of interest for any item before the Board. There were no conflicts of interest reported. 1 CONSENT AGENDA I. COA 2019-71 1002 Caroline Street — — Signs ii. COA 2020-01 — 501 William Street — Signs Mr. Gerlach made a motion to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Ms. Weitzrnan seconded. The motion carried 6-0. PUBLIC HEARING i. COA 2019-70 1311 Caroline Street Richard Crickenberger requests to alter the entry steps at this — - residential property by adding an additional sandstone step. The applicant, Richard Crickenberger, was present and provided samples of the sandstone he is requesting to use to the Board. There were no comments from the public. Ms. Weitzman asked if a handrail will be part of this application. Ms. Schwartz noted that one would not be required by the building code. Mr. Gerlach asked if the existing step is original to the house. Mr. Crickenberger replied that he was unsure, but that he would try to remove it without damaging it and would save it on the property, possibly in the garden. Mr. Gerlach stated that he would recommend saving the step due to its historical significance. Ms. Irvin made a motion to approve the request as submitted. Ms. Weitzrnan seconded. The motion carried 6- 0. ii. COA 20 19-72 1114-1118 Caroline Street Jon Van Zandt Jason Gallant requests to construct a new — — retaining wall to stabilize the existing failed retaining wall at the rear of these residential properties. Ms. Schwartz noted the unusual nature of this application as work has already begun due to the emergency nature of the wall failure. Ms. Schwartz stated that Mr. John Schaffer, the City’s Building Official, was present and able to answer questions the Board may have on this application. The applicant was not present and there were no comments from the public. Ms. Moss asked if the original wall was of coursed or rubble stone construction. Ms. Schwartz stated that it was rubble stone and confirmed this with Mr. Schaffer. Ms. Moss noted that other retaining walls nearby were of parged brick or block construction and asked if a similar, historically-appropriate finish could have been achieved for this wall. Mr. Schaffer stated that due to the age and failure of the wall and the imminent danger it presented, the engineer chose the design as the best possible option. Ms. Weitzman asked if the property lines would be impacted. Ms. Schwartz stated that the two property owners had worked together on the project and would make the boundary line adjustment as needed. Ms. Irvin asked what material is being used on top of the wall. Mr. Schaffer stated that it is natural stone rip rap that is a structural component of the design. There was some discussion about maintenance of the wall and how the property owners would share the responsibility. Mr. Gerlach made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Irvin seconded. The motion carried 6-0. 2 GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT There were no speakers. OTHER BUSINESS A. Transmittal of Planning Commission Notice for January 15, 2020 Ms. Schwartz noted that there will be a Public Hearing on the UDO amendments for infill construction on Wednesday evening. B. CLG Workshop Ms. Schwartz announced that one of DHR’s annual CLG training workshops for board members would be held in Fredericksburg this year, on March 24, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All ARB members are encouraged to attend. Chainnan Davis asked if the location had been set and Ms. Schwartz replied that this is still being decided. Mr. Gerlach asked if this would meet the ARB training requirement and Ms. Schwartz confirmed that it would. C. Slave Auction Block Ms. Schwartz stated that the appeal of the City Council’s decision has been scheduled for a hearing in the Circuit Court on February 10, 2020. Mr. Gerlach reviewed the details of the lawsuit and the City Attorney’s brief. D. Caretaker’s Lodge Ms. Schwartz stated that the City Attorney has been seeking feedback from City Council members on the proposal from an anonymous donor for alternate treatment of the property. STAFF UPDATE Ms. Schwartz noted that the first Public Hearing on the Archaeology Ordinance will take place during the City Council meeting on January 14. Ms. Schwartz also informed the board that work on the Historic District Handbook update project will begin soon. The contract with Commonwealth Architects of Richmond will be executed this week and work started within the next 2 weeks. Mr. Gerlach requested a future discussion on amending the ordinance to speci1’ what the effect would be should the ARB take no action on an application. Ms. Schwartz stated that she would check with the City Attorney’s office. COMMITTEE REPORT There were no updates. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT There were no updates. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Carthon Davis III, Chair 3