Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – January 13, 2015 Attending: Co-Chairmen John Solu and Janet Foster; Members, John Forte, David Luber, Carmine Toto, William VanRyzin and Margaret Weisgerber; Council Liaison Patrick Rowe; Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Members Alberta Marcy and Joseph Longo. The meeting was called to order as an open public meeting at 7:35 p.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The December 9, 2014, minutes were considered and by unanimous consent were approved as written. Follow Up: TCC Applications update: Mr. Toto brought the packet for the redevelopment of the former Green Village Road School property. Since a site plan has not yet been submitted and there was no advance notice, the plans could not be discussed. The application will be discussed at the February meeting after MHPC members have had a chance to review the plans in digital format and a video of the applicant’s presentation which is available on Rosenet. Sign and Façade applications update: Mr. Solu reported there is a pending sign application for property in the Downtown Historic District at 6 Main Street. This building is located next to the Boyce Building and across from the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, an area considered a gateway to the Downtown Historic District. Numerous variances are needed for the signage and a comprehensive plan for signage prepared by Susan Blickstein, AICP/PP., PhD., was reviewed by MHPC members prior to the meeting. Comments included the following: • The proposed dormer is acceptable since it faces the parking lot, not Main Street; • Proposed colors of the signs are acceptable; • It appears the signage will not have a negative impact on the Historic District. For Action: Report on Reorganization and Reappointments for 2015: Patrick Rowe was welcomed as new Council Liaison. Mr. Luber was appointed for a two-year term through December 31, 2016, and Mr. VanRyzin was appointed for a four- year term through December 31, 2018. For Discussion: Renovations to 10 Pomeroy Road: Mr. VanRyzin, architect for the project, introduced Becky Peterson, who with her husband Brian recently purchased the property. The site contains an historic Queen Anne style home which is on MHPC’s Inventory of Historic Sites as a contributing property. The home is one of several built for children of publisher John McGraw. Ms. Peterson is voluntarily appearing before MHPC seeking comments and recommendations on proposed additions and renovations and seeking a letter of support to be submitted with the variance application. Mr. VanRyzin gave background information with historic maps and photographs and explained the owners would like to make additions and improvements necessary for their 21st Century family while retaining the architectural integrity and original charm and elements of the building. Plans for the proposed additions and renovations were shown and some comments were as follows: • The massing of the addition is appropriate for the size of the house; • Substantial, “hefty” columns were recommended for the front entrance and the porch area; • MHPC was in favor of the proposed materials which would include brick across the front, some siding, half-timbers, and fish scales; • MHPC recommended a steeper roofline for the turret in the back of the home. • The aesthetics of the re-oriented placement of the garage in the rear of the property and the horseshoe driveway is appropriate for the streetscape and an improvement over the present placement of the garage, MHPC was in favor of drafting a letter of support to the Zoning Board for the project, which letter will incorporate the above comments and indicate approval for the character and massing of the addition and preservation of the existing house. The letter will be sent to Mr. VanRyzin and to the applicant for submission with the variance application. Bottle Hill Historic District 10th Anniversary: Mr. Solu reported the Borough will be completing the repaving of Ridgedale Avenue in the summer of 2015. The drawings for the project are available for review. Borough Engineer Robert Vogel has asked that he be notified of any requests for changes prior to the project going out for bid. The Friends of Bottle Hill Historic District will be reviewing the plans to make sure they meet their goals and priorities for the project as closely as possible. After repaving is complete, The Friends group would like to pursue the issue of replacement of about 20 light fixtures with fixtures more appropriate for an historic district. There have been previous discussions with Michael Piano of the Electric Department, and the Friends group will continue to work with him on this issue. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary