Architectural Review Board

Minutes Architectural Review Board October 12, 2020 Electronic Meeting and Council Chambers, City Hall Members Present Members Absent Staff Carthon Davis III, Chair James Whitman Kate Schwartz Karen Irvin, Vice Chair (electronic) Jonathan Gerlach (electronic) Adriana Moss Susan Pates (electronic) Sabina Weitzman (electronic) Chairman Davis called the Architectural Review Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. OPENING REMARKS Chairman Davis stated that the meeting was being held both in person and electronically through the “GoTo Meeting” application, pursuant to City Council Ordinance 20-05, An Ordinance to Address Continuity of City Government during the Pendency of a Pandemic Disaster. The members participating were Carthon Davis, Karen Irvin, Jonathan Gerlach, Adriana Moss, Susan Pates, and Sabina Weitzman. Members of the public have been invited to access this meeting by public access television Cox Channel 84, Verizon Channel 42, online at www.regionalwebtv.com, or on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/FXBGgov. Chairman Davis determined that a quorum of 6 members was present, and asked if public notice requirements had been met. Ms. Schwartz confirmed that they had. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Pates requested to remove COAs 2020-49 and 2020-51 from the consent agenda for discussion. Mr. Gerlach motioned to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Irvin seconded. The motion carried 6-0. MINUTES Ms. Moss made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2020 meeting as written. Ms. Weitzman seconded. The motion carried 6-0. Ms. Moss noted that the date on the September 14 meeting minutes needed to be corrected. Ms. Moss made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2020 meeting as amended. Mr. Gerlach seconded. The motion carried 6-0. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Davis asked if any Board member had engaged in any ex parte communication on any item before the Board. No Board members had any ex parte communication to report. 1 DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Chairman Davis asked if any Board member had a conflict of interest for any item before the Board. No Board member had a conflict of interest to report. CONSENT AGENDA A. COA 2020-52 – 1017 Sophia Street – Railing Installation B. COA 2020-53 – 1004 Caroline Street – Sign Installation C. COA 2020-54 – 916 Sophia Street – Sign Installation Mr. Gerlach made a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended (with the removal of COAs 2020- 49 and 2020-51). Ms. Weitzman seconded. The motion carried 6-0. PUBLIC HEARING A. COA 2020-49 – 1111 Princess Anne Street – Fence Installation The property owner, David Zijerdi, was present. Ms. Pates said that installing fences and walls has a substantial impact on historic properties and recommended that one design be selected prior to ARB review, rather than proposing multiple options. Ms. Weitzman noted that there would be a difference in appearance between wrought iron and painted aluminum and that applicants need to be clear about material selections. Chairman Davis said he appreciated the opportunity for further evaluation, but that the application did meet the guidelines for the district. Mr. Gerlach recommended that the property owners at 1111 and 1107 coordinate paint colors on the two entry gates. Ms. Weitzman made a motion to approve the application with both wall design options as submitted. Ms. Irvin seconded. The motion carried 5-1, with Ms. Pates against. B. COA 2020-51 – 1107 Princess Anne Street – Fence Installation The property owner, Brian McDermott, was present, as well as the designer, Betsy Sale. Ms. Sale noted that wrought iron was planned for the fence at the front of the property, but aluminum would likely be used for the gate due to the weight. Ms. Pates confirmed that the fencing would cross the entire front of the property. Ms. Moss said that she understood the need to make the gate lighter, but recommended using one type of metal for all components for consistency. Mr. Gerlach made a motion to approve the application with both wall design options and on condition that the gate is set back at least 18 feet from the front property line. Ms. Moss seconded. The motion carried 5-1, with Ms. Pates against. C. COA 2020-27 – 1408 Sophia Street/1407 Caroline Street – Paul Janney requests approval of the detailed architectural design of a new two-and-one-half-story residence to be constructed on this vacant property. The applicant was present. 2  Ed Sandtner, 132 Caroline Street, speaking on behalf of HFFI, asked that no board-and-batten siding be used, but otherwise agreed with the staff recommendations. Ms. Pates said she agreed with the comment from HFFI and that board-and-batten siding should not be used. Ms. Weitzman asked for clarification on the window details and recommended that the trim be designed with full-width sill nosing rather than as picture-framed style trim. Mr. Janney said the trim was designed as picture-framed, but that he was open to altering the design. Ms. Irvin said she was not in support of revising the porch roof style, but did agree with Ms. Weitzman on the window details. She also agreed that the height of the second floor windows should match. She asked if the new gate would be a custom design. Mr. Janney said the gate would be constructed of painted aluminum rather than wrought iron, but would be custom-designed to match the damaged historic gate. Mr. Gerlach said he supported the design and asked if gutters and downspouts were included. Mr. Janney said they would be included on the updated drawings. Mr. Gerlach also suggested monitoring the site for archaeological deposits, as it was an important historic site. Ms. Moss recommended using metal for all the roof surfaces for consistency and to be compatible with neighboring properties. All Board members agreed that the window detailing should be altered to include the sill nosing, and advised against altering the porch roof. The application will be included on the October 26, 2020 meeting agenda for action. D. COA 2020-48 – 806 Princess Anne Street – John Nere requests approval to construct an accessible entry ramp along the south side of this commercial building. The applicant was present along with the project architect, Frank Robinson. There was no public comment. Ms. Pates said she agreed with the staff-recommended conditions regarding materials. Ms. Weitzman asked for clarification of the accessibility plan and why a gap would be left adjacent to the ramp. Mr. Robinson said the ramp is placed to avoid the gas meter and will lead to an accessible entry on the rear elevation. Existing stairs will remain in place near the rear of the building in the gap between the wall and the new ramp. All Board members agreed with the staff recommendation to ensure the decking has a smooth finish and the skirt boards are constructed of a paintable material with a smooth finish. The application will be included on the October 26, 2020 meeting agenda for action. E. COA 2020-50 – 101-103 William Street – Thomas Mitchell requests to replace fourteen wood windows and two entry doors at this commercial property. 3  The contractor, Jason Gallant of Rappahannock Restoration, was present to represent the application. Ed Sandtner, 132 Caroline Street, speaking on behalf of HFFI, spoke in support of this application and said they were glad to see investment in this building. Ms. Pates noted that this request is the result of a lack of maintenance and agreed that it needs more assessment. Ms. Weitzman said she is glad for the attention to this building, but stated that window replacement is intended to be a method of last resort. All Board members agreed that some additional assessment of the existing conditions is needed. Ms. Moss recommended that solid wood rather than aluminum-clad windows be used if necessary. Mr. Gerlach asked for confirmation that the brick lintel above the door would be maintained. Chairman Davis asked if Ms. Schwartz could arrange for a site visit. Ms. Schwartz confirmed that she would. The application will be included on the October 26, 2020 meeting agenda for action. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Gerlach thanked Ms. Schwartz for adding a link to the meeting livestream on the ARB page of the City website. STAFF UPDATE Ms. Schwartz noted that the meeting on October 26 would be electronic only. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. _______________________________________ Carthon Davis III, Chair 4