City Council

TOWN OF OCCOQUAN Town Hall, 314 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA 22125 www.occoquanva.gov | info@occoquanva.gov | (703) 491-1918 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING December 10, 2024 | 7:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Citizen Comments 3. Approval of Minutes a. October 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes 4. Exterior Elevation Applications a. ARB2024-007 450 Mill Street (Doors) b. ARB2024-008 402 McKenzie Dr (New Addition; Siding, Windows, & Roof) 5. Reports a. Town Council Report b. Deputy Town Manager’s Report c. Planning Commission Report d. Chair Report 6. Discussion Items 7. Adjournment Brenda Seefeldt Chair, Architectural Review Board Portions of this meeting may be held in closed session pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.  TOWN OF OCCOQUAN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD Agenda Communication 3. Approval of Minutes Meeting Date: December 10, 2024 3A: Request to Approve October 22, 2024 Minutes Attachments: a. October 22, 2024 Minutes Submitted by: Philip Auville Town Clerk Explanation and Summary: This is a request to approve the meeting minutes from October 22, 2024. Proposed/Suggested Motion: “I move to approve the meeting minutes from October 22, 2024 as presented.” OR Other action the Architectural Review Board deems appropriate.  Town of Occoquan ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 22, 2024 In Attendance: Brenda Seefeldt, Darryl Hawkins, Lisa Terry, Rick Fitzgerald; Excused absences: Theo Daubresse, Mary Craig 1. Call to Order - Chairwoman Brenda Seefeldt called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. 2. Citizen’s Comments - None 3. Approval of Minutes - Lisa Terry motioned to approve the Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2024: Brenda Seefeldt seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. 4. Exterior Elevation Applications a. ARB2024-005 302 Commerce Street (Fence) - Alex Kerns and Mashi Dehghanpour request approval of a perimeter front and back Colonial Gothic picket, and patio linked custom lattice panels 4’ tall fence on the property. Brenda Seefeldt motioned to approve Exterior Elevation Application ARB2024-005; Lisa Terry seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. b. ARB2024-006 404 McKenzie Drive (Fence) –Anne Sawyer request approval for the installation of a wooden Split Rail fence to run the length of the property on the NE side as a visual barrier. Rick Fitzgerald moved to approve Exterior Elevation Application ARB2024-006; Lisa Terry seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. c. The committee’s request to review Exterior Elevation Application ARB2024-007 was “Tabled” until the meeting scheduled for December 10, 2024, at the owner’s request. 5. Reports a. Town Council Report – None  b. Town Manager’s Report – It was noted that the Town Council has enacted an ordinance allowing new fees for collecting delinquent taxes. The Town Council also provided a report on the Fall Show at their last meeting. It was announced that Julie Little was retiring as Events Director, and the position is to be filled by Tammy Hassett. In addition, The Mill at Occoquan developer has tentatively indicated a planned demolition at the construction site beginning January 2025. c. Planning Commission Report – Darryl Hawkins reported that the Planning Commission continued its discussion of a comprehensive plan and the top priorities to give to the Town Council. d. Chair Report – Brenda announced two Architectural Review Board vacancies have been tentatively filled to be approved by the Town Council. The regular Business Member is Ms. Jordan Sanders and Alternate Member is Ms. Michelle White. Brenda reminded everyone that there is no meeting in November due to Thanksgiving. The December meeting is the 2nd Tuesday so that the December meeting doesn’t interfere with Christmas. 6. Discussion Items – none 7. Adjournment – 7:56 p.m.  TOWN OF OCCOQUAN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD Agenda Communication 4. Exterior Elevation Applications Meeting Date: December 10, 2024 4A: ARB2024-007 450 Mill St Attachments: a. ARB2024-007 450 Mill St (Doors) Submitted by: Philip Auville Town Clerk Explanation and Summary: This is an Architectural Review Board (ARB) Exterior Elevation Application for doors at 450 Mill Street. Relevant Sections of ARB Guidelines: The proposed work is covered under Section 7 of the ARB Guidelines, which reads as follows: 7. Doorways The placement and proportions of windows and doors are of paramount importance in achieving an historic reproduction. Original doors should be repaired and rehabilitated if possible. Storm doors must allow visibility of the original door. Sliding glass doors are not considered to be in keeping with the character and architectural detail of the Old and Historic District and are prohibited if visible from the street (waterfront is also considered a street). Style of doors from: 18th Century Six-panel (cross and open Bible); small glass light above door Solid wood or stone header over top of door 1775-1800 had very elaborate doorways, with sidelights and fanlights above front door and columns beside door or entry porch 19th Century Wide variety of elaborate doorways Stained glass in doors Double doors Columns On storefronts, doors may be constructed of painted wood or wood-look-alike, and may include large areas of glass. Paneled or glazed paneled doors are appropriate for residential buildings. Unfinished aluminum is not recommended. Security and fire- resistant updates to doors are welcomed. Staff Recommendation: Make a determination based off the proposed work’s compliance with the ARB Guidelines. Any denial of an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness must include the reason for denial and a reference to the relevant ARB guideline(s). Proposed/Suggested Motion: “I move to approve ARB2024-007 450 Mill St (Doors) as is.” OR “I move to not approve ARB2024-007 450 Mill St (Doors) for the following reason: _______________________.” OR Other action the Architectural Review Board deems appropriate.  TOWN OF OCCOQUAN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD Agenda Communication 4. Exterior Elevation Applications Meeting Date: December 10, 2024 4B: ARB2024-008 402 McKenzie Dr Attachments: a. ARB2024-008 402 McKenzie Dr (New Addition; Siding, Windows, & Roof) Submitted by: Philip Auville Town Clerk Explanation and Summary: This is an Architectural Review Board (ARB) Exterior Elevation Application for a new addition; new siding, windows, and roof at 402 McKenzie Dr. Relevant Sections of ARB Guidelines: The proposed work is covered under Sections 2, 6, 13, 16, and 24 of the ARB Guidelines, which reads as follows: 2. Additions An exterior addition to a historic building is acceptable with three suggestions strongly recommended: a) Locating the addition so as not to be conspicuous. b) Limiting the size and scale of the addition in order not to compromise the integrity of the building or any structures surrounding it. c) Using materials compatible with the historic building and the other buildings nearby. The Occoquan Code requires a building permit when constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing or demolishing a building or structure. 6. Colors Exterior paint colors must be appropriate for the architectural period of the building. Colors of a building should take into consideration roof and foundation colors. It is encouraged that when rehabilitating Craftsman or Victorian style homes to use period-appropriate color pairings. In addition, for rehabilitation or replacement of windows, “earth tone” colors are appropriate. The book A Century of Color is an excellent reference. Another resource is the following color chart which is taken from the website Archive.org and the document “Every Man His Own Painter!” which was originally written in 1872. Note that none of these colors are modern paint chips. Use these colors as a guide as you pick out your exact paint colors. Most popular exterior paint brands now have historic palettes available. Painting of brick or stone is not recommended. Existing paint may be removed if done in a manner which will not damage the surface of the structure. Methods such as sandblasting, chemical application and heat guns tend to damage the structure. 13. Materials Siding – Original siding materials should be repaired to retain the original character of the surface rather than removed or covered. Often this is not possible so a looka-like and modern material will be sufficient as long as all efforts are made to maintain the same appearance. Exterior trim – Dentil molding and crown molding were simple in the early part of the 18th Century, and elaborate in the later with columns added. 18th Century trim consisted of dentil and crown molding on the fascia boards, corner moldings, and lentils above windows. Lentils were of brick, stone, or a solid piece of wood. Brick lentils were laid to form an arch, either a “jack” arch or a “segmented” arch. The segmented arch was curved rather than straight. In the 19th Century trim was elaborate. The mid- to later part of the 19th Century has often been called the “Gingerbread Age” with immigrant skilled laborers providing elaborate trim on fascia boards, soffits, rake boards, windows, doors, and porches at low costs. Brackets attached to the soffits were commonplace. 16. Roof Pitch and Material Pitch - The pitch of a roof must be a minimum of 8/12 except on a hip roof, mansard, or gambrel (barn). On a flat roof, a parapet with trim should be erected above the roofline (such as a store or Italianate Victorian). Materials – Cedar shingles were widely used during the 18th Century (approximately 90 percent), and the remainder of the structures most often had oak shingle roofs. Shakes were used on outbuildings only. During the 19th Century, roofs were standing ridge (metal) or slate shingles. Modern composition shingles must be chosen in colors to match the color of weathered historic roofing materials. Wherever pressed tin or standing seam style roofs exist an effort should be made to preserve and/or refurbish. The same roof style must be extended on any addition to buildings with existing pressed tin roofs. 24. Windows The placement and proportions of windows and doors are of paramount importance in achieving a historic reproduction. Most glass manufacturers 125 years ago did not have the capability to create large sheets of glass. That’s why old window sashes are comprised of a collection of smaller pieces of glass separated and held in place by muntin bars. Traditional windows have depth and a windowsill, as well as true divided lights or interior and exterior fixed muntin with internal spacers to reference traditional designs. No mirrored or tinted glass. The architecture style of Craftsman homes and Victorian homes often used colors for muntin and sashes. That is encouraged using the earth tone colors. In new construction simulated true divided light windows in the appropriate style and color (earth tones) must be used. Storm windows must not be used unless the design allows the original window to show through. 18th Century Small panes; six over six window lights and up 1775-1800 arched at top, shutters Proportions – one-half the width of the height Placement – Lined up one above the other and over doorways Headers – Wood, solid beam; stone; brick; jack arches or segmented arches; lighter brick often used around windows 19th Century Windows in the early 19th Century were usually six over six. The emergence of styles such as neo-Gothic, Italianate and Queen Anne led the use of two over two, one over one, and in Queen Anne a multiplicity of combinations. By the end of the 19th Century, two over two dominated and this is the pattern most often seen in 19th Century houses in Occoquan Proportions – Usually, one-half width of height Headers – Elaborate, eyebrow, segmented and jack arches Staff Recommendation: Make a determination based off the proposed work’s compliance with the ARB Guidelines. Any denial of an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness must include the reason for denial and a reference to the relevant ARB guideline(s). Proposed/Suggested Motion: “I move to approve ARB2024-008 402 McKenzie Dr (New Addition; Siding, Windows, & Roof) as is.” OR “I move to not approve ARB2024-008 402 McKenzie Dr (New Addition; Siding, Windows, & Roof) for the following reason: _______________________.” OR Other action the Architectural Review Board deems appropriate.  TOWN OF OCCOQUAN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD Agenda Communication 5. Reports Meeting Date: December 10, 2024 5B: Deputy Town Manager’s Report Attachments: a. November and December Sign and COA Violation Report Submitted by: Matt Whitmoyer Deputy Town Manager Explanation and Summary: This is the Deputy Town Manager’s monthly ARB report. The report includes both sign and COA violations, showing the violation number, address, violation description and the status of the violation. All code violations follow the code violation standard operating procedure (SOP), including a tiered notice system of informal notices progressing to formal notice of violation letters. Most violations are resolved at the informal tier and do not necessitate a formal notice of violation and subsequent legal action. Town of Occoquan Sign and COA Violation Report Nov-Dec 2024 12/10/24 Violation Date of Title Type Address of Violation Observation General Description of Violation Status Window signs occupying more than 25% of area; internally lit OCV-2024- signage; three temporary signs (materials and no permanent Referred to 008 Signage 201 Union Street 4/16/2024 attachment); box sign larger than 4.5 sqft Legal OCV-2024- 014 Signage 199 Union Street 9/24/2024 Unpermitted temporary sign RESOLVED OCV-2024- 015 Signage 201 Union St 10/3/2024 Two a-frames; one off premises a-frame RESOLVED OCV-2024- 016 Signage 201 Union St 10/3/2024 Two a-frames; one off premise a-frame RESOLVED OCV-2024- Unpermitted temporary sign, not an a-frame/unpermitted 017 Signage 202 Union St 10/3/2024 temporary sign, prohibited strings of flags RESOLVED OCV-2024- Temporary signs on residential use property with total square 018 Signage 199 Union Street 10/3/2024 footage greater than 8 sqft RESOLVED