Architectural Review Board

8 May 2023 To: Kate S. Schwartz ksschwartz@fredericksburgva.gov cc: Planning@fredericksburgva.gov The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation has reviewed the upcoming agenda and related COA documents for the May 8, 2023 meeting of the Architectural Review Board and submits the following comments on select projects. Consent Agenda: 9.A. COA FY23-0058—1025 Caroline Street—Sign Installation HFFI requests that this application for placement of a new sign be removed from the consent agenda and discussed further by ARB members. This building was designed by local architect Frank P. Stearns and is the only example of a high-style, Queen-Anne, commercial building with a turret and projecting bay window I the downtown commercial core. Several holes already exist in the brick and illustrate the difficulty of anchoring anything into the fine mortar joints of this façade. We hope that an alternative to damaging the brickwork and fine mortar joints might be found. 9.B. COA FY23-0059—314 Frederick Street—Fence Installation This resource is one of more than 40 downtown Fredericksburg properties on which HFFI holds an easement for the purpose of preserving its historic architecture. While we have not been in communication with the property owner of COA applicant prior to this meeting, HFFI finds that this privacy fence does not negatively impact the historic integrity of this site. 9.D. COA FY23-0064—1015 Prince Edward Street—Split AC Unit Installation HFFI requests that this application for placement of a new HVAC spilt unit be removed from the consent agenda and discussed further by ARB members. The windows at the first floor façade of this circa-1802 building are not from the first phase of its construction, but are historically significant in their own right. The foundation of the building does not appear to rise more than 2-feet from ground level; thus, the 30-inch height of the proposed HVAC unit will be visible above the vegetation and in front of the unique jib-type windows that mark the first floor façade. Further, the installation of such a unit requires a hole to connect with the interior machinery. The placement of the proposed unit suggests that this hole will pass through the trim or framing of one of these windows. We hope that an alternative to damaging the historic window framing might be found and that additional measures might be taken to adequately screen this unit from view along the façade. Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. | 1200 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Public Hearing: 10.A.i. COA FY23-0030—400 Princess Anne Street HFFI appreciates how the alterations have enhanced the residential character of the proposed new infill project since it was initially introduced. The inclusion of measurements and prospective views of the design in context with surrounding historic resources continues to be a great improvement upon previous application(s). We also appreciate the thoughtful dialogue that has been exchanged between members of the public, ARB members, City staff, and the applicant over the past several months, and believe that the design of this new infill project has been significant improved by this process. The focus of this meeting on relatively minor revisions to the design of Unit 1 is appreciated. While no measurements are provided for the extant buildings at 400 and 404 Princess Anne Street to illustrate how the proposed infill relates to these resources, HFFI feels that its first, second, and third-floor heights are somewhat out of sync with adjacent historic resources, and suggests that the floor heights of Unit 1 be reduced to match those of the proposed Units 2-5 where the first and second floors are 10-feet tall. This would reduce the visual contrast between regulating lines created by Unit 1’s fenestration and porch features and neighboring resources. Furthermore, HFFI fully supports recommendations to remove the 4 th story, roof-top access from the unit facing Princess Anne Street. Rooftop decks have no precedent in the neighborhood and are out of character with this historic residential area, especially at the heights proposed by this new infill project. As previously noted, the design guidelines require additional stories beyond one story taller than neighboring buildings to be “stepped back so it is not visible from adjacent streets” (9.C.2.). The 3-story roofline of Unit 1 will be highly visible from multiple angles and the inclusion of a 4th story for roof top access cannot be fully hidden from view. 10.A.ii. COA FY23-0032—905 Princess Anne Street HFFI continues to appreciate the adjustments St. George’s representatives have made to lessen the negative impacts of this project on their National Register-listed and historic quintessential Fredericksburg property. We believe changes to the design of the proposed access ramp have reduced the ramp’s physical impact to the property’s historic features while simultaneously improving access to it. A 2017 publication from the Secretary of the Interior on the Rehabilitation of historic properties provides guidance on such sensitive alterations and recommends the following regarding accessibility (page 147-148): - Complying with barrier-free access requirements in such a manner that the historic building’s character- defining exterior features, interior spaces, features, and finishes, and features of the site and setting are preserved or impacted as little as possible. - Working with specialists in accessibility and historic preservation to determine the most sensitive solutions to comply with access requirements in a historic building, its site, or setting. - Providing barrier-free access that promotes independence for the user while preserving significant historic features. - Finding solutions to meet accessibility requirements that minimize the impact of any necessary alteration on the historic buildings, its site, and setting, such as compatible ramps, paths, and lifts. HFFI supports this proposal for constructing the access ramp and trusts that project leaders will continue working to minimize the project’s adverse impacts to the church building and cemetery as that work moves forward. St. George’s is a careful steward of Fredericksburg’s history and the historic assets the church oversees. Many people in the community are aware of the time and consideration the church has given to purchasing neighboring buildings to preserve and adaptively re-use in support of the congregation’s needs, but also those of area children’s early education, underprivileged individuals, and fellow citizens in need. HFFI believes that the best solution for meeting the church’s need for additional meeting space has been staring at us from across the street for about 7 years now. If local leaders would consider selling the Wallace Library to Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. | 1200 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 the church, they could save THREE quintessential historic Fredericksburg properties at the same time—the church cemetery, the old library, and the Renwick Courthouse by reinvesting the profit from the library’s sale into its preservation. The success of the City’s effort to preserve the Mary Washington Monument and Lodge through its transfer to another great Fredericksburg non-profit provides a timely precedent and HFFI believes it is the kind of locally sourced, cooperative solution our community needs to resolve long-standing issues with simple problems with simultaneously embrace our past and future. 10.A.iii. COA FY23-0050—503 Sophia Street HFFI is saddened to see this project become a kerfuffle of plastic and architectural elements that are out of keeping with previous COA approvals and ARB meeting discussions. We request that ARB members hold the applicant to a design and materials that are commonly found throughout the district, and respectfully request that any approval of new plastic materials be reserved for rare use in visually hidden locations in the future. Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. | 1200 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401