Historic Preservation Commission

MADISON HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting – August 9, 2022 Meeting conducted remotely by Zoom Attending: Madison Historic Preservation (“HPC”) Chair Janet Foster, Vice Chair Jill Rhodes, Members, John Forte, Max Hart, Chris Kellogg, Mary Ellen Lenahan, Adrienne Novak and John Solu; HPC Attorney Janine Bauer, Esq., and Recording Secretary Laurie Hagerich. Absent: Member David Luber and Council Liaison Maureen Byrne. Several Members of the public were present, including Diane VanHorn, Anthony Facchino, Gerardo Leone, Lee George and Frank Iannarone. The meeting was called to order by Ms. Foster at 7:30 pm. She announced the meeting was called in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. A verbal roll call was taken. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the June 14, 2022, Public Meeting were considered and on motion made, seconded, and unanimously carried the minutes were approved as written. Sign & Façade Reviews: There were no new Sign & Façade Reviews. TCC Reviews: 157 Ridgedale Avenue: This was a 3 lot subdivision approved several years ago involving property on the edge of the Bottle Hill Historic District. One vacant lot was subsequently purchased by another buyer, who has now submitted a greatly revised plan for a new home. The new owner was encouraged to come before the HPC for advice and recommendations, including advice on Design Guidelines, when plans are forthcoming. New Business: 13-15 Prospect Place: Attorney Rosemary Stone-Dougherty attended the meeting to present plans for a minor subdivision with preservation of the existing non-conforming home and construction of a new home of modest size. The property is located in the Orchard section, an R-3 Zone, with many smaller lots and is not in or adjacent to any historic district. The owner is considering a subdivision with preservation of the existing non-conforming home and construction of a new home of modest size on the subdivided lot. HPC would support approval of a non-conforming subdivision in the interest of preserving the existing home and the streetscape. Both lots would be 50 feet in width, which is standard size for the period when the home was built. HPC applauds the owner’s intention to preserve the existing home and to maintain the character of the neighborhood with construction of a modest size home, following the Design Guidelines. This would be preferable to demolition of the existing home followed by construction of an oversize home in its place not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. The subdivision as proposed would restore the historic pattern of the streetscape and provide opportunity for a new home in keeping with the streetscape and in accordance with the Design Guidelines. Ms. Foster will draft a memorandum to Ms. Dougherty with HPC’s comments and recommendations. Central Avenue Redevelopment: 3 and 5 Central Avenue Steven Azzolino, attorney for owners of both properties, gave background information on the properties, which are part of Madison’s Civic & Commercial Historic District. He explained that although there are two owners and two separate applications, they are being treated as one project, with five separate buildings proposed. The presentation was continued by Architect Jeff Gertler, who gave detailed explanation with a Powerpoint presentation, including height analysis, structure, pattern, design and proposed materials. The HPC members discussed various issues of the design of the proposed buildings. The discussion is to be carried to a special meeting on August 23, 2022, at 7:30 pm via Zoom. Public Comment: There were no comments from the public. Future Meetings, Adjournment: The next meeting of the Commission will be on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, on Zoom. There being no further business, on motion made, seconded, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:12 p.m. Laurie Hagerich, Recording Secretary