Architectural Review Board

Architectural Review Board City of Petersburg, Virginia Minutes of the Regular Meeting June 11, 2014 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall 135 N. Union Street, Petersburg VA 23803 Members Present: Chair, Joe Battiston Vice-Chair, Isaac Ward Mitchell Pradia Gibson Worsham Members Absent: Celeste Wynn Theresa Booty Phillip Arnold Staff: Secretary to the ARB, Kathleen Morgan 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Joe Battiston called to order a regular meeting of the City of Petersburg Architectural Review Board on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, City Hall, 135 N. Union Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23803. 2. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. REVIEW OF MINUTES Minutes not available. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Worsham moved to place the City of Petersburg applications after 124-126 N. Jefferson Street, followed by a second from Mr. Ward. The motion passed unanimously. 5. PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD Chair Battiston opened the Public Information Period to anyone who wished to speak on any subject not on the agenda. With there being no comments, Chair Battiston closed the Public Information Period. 6. REQUEST(S) FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS Consent Agenda: Mr. Ward moved to approve the consent agenda as presented, followed by a second from Mr. Pradia. The motion passed unanimously. a. 332 St. Andrew Street: b. 517 High Street: c. 431 Cross Street: d. 723 Harrison Street: Regular Agenda: e. 124-126 N. Jefferson Street: The applicant, Emily Bursette, was present. Staff recommended approval of the proposed application. Kathy Bursette-Minus spoke on behalf of the applicant. Chair Battiston asked if the applicant would be replacing any decking; Ms. Bursette-Minus stated once the contractor determines what is needed, the applicant will know more of what needs to be done. Ms. Bursette-Minus stated that the applicant will be in touch with staff if the scope is outside of the COA approval. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no public comments for or against. Mr. Worsham moved to approve the application as submitted with the condition that the new pickets match the more narrowly spaced pickets and repairs to the flooring and porch structure can be made using the same materials of the same form, size and shape pending staff approval, followed by a second from Mr. Ward. The motion passed unanimously. f. 227 S. Jones Street: The applicant, City Attorney Brian K. Telfair, was present. Staff recommended denial of the proposed application. Mr. Telfair stated the property has been on the red-tagged list since 1998. He also stated its total assessed value is $13,700. Mr. Telfair stated an engineer quoted exterior repairs to be $250,000. Mr. Telfair stated the property was on the May 2014 tax sale, and it did not sell. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. Margaret Byrne spoke against the proposed application. Ms. Bryne asked if the City has a plan for all of the empty lots as a result of demolition. Mr. Worsham stated that he thanks the applicant for asking that question, and he does not believe there is one. Chair Battiston stated that Code Compliance is issuing notices to catch properties before demolition is necessary. Mr. Telfair stated that the City Manager and himself have been meeting with builders and there is a plan, but it is not in the best interest of the City to disclose those conversations.  Mr. Ward stated the mission of the board is also economic development. Mr. Worsham stated the board’s duty is to the City’s historic buildings. Mr. Worsham stated that Ms. Byrne made a good point in that there is no comprehensive plan as it relates to the demolition of historic properties. With no other public comments, Mr. Ward moved to approve the application as submitted, followed by a second from Mr. Pradia. The motion passed 3-1, with Mr. Worsham opposing. g. 206 S. South Street: The applicant, City Attorney Brian K. Telfair, was present. Staff recommended denial of the proposed application. Mr. Telfair stated the total assessed value is $33,100 and the exterior repair would be $170,000. He also stated it has been on the red-tagged list since 2011. Mr. Telfair stated the property owner has contacted the City requesting it be demolished. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. Robert Ingram asked the board if they ever make any recommendations on finding sources of funding, because the property looks like it could be rehabbed. Chair Battiston stated that staff may be able to explain some options for funding. Howard Hines, Building Official, stated that this property was heavily damaged by fire in 2011. He stated the second floor is starting to deflect and that the property is in pretty poor condition. Margaret Byrne asked if the National Guard would be willing to help rebuild properties instead of taking them down, and if the City has approached non-profit organizations who build and rehab houses. Mr. Ward stated that is not in the purview of the board. Mr. Pradia asked Mr. Hines if the property was in jeopardy of collapsing. Mr. Hines stated he did not think the property will make it another season. Mr. Pradia moved to approve the application as submitted, followed by a second from Mr. Ward. The motion passed 3-1, with Mr. Worsham opposing. h. 222-224 S. Jones Street: The applicant, City Attorney Brian K. Telfair, was present. Staff recommended denial of the proposed application. Mr. Telfair stated the assessed value is $22,000 and repair of the exterior is quoted at $200 ,000. Mr. Telfair stated they have heard nothing from the property owner. He stated this property was up for sale at the May 2014 tax sale, and it did not sell. Mr. Pradia asked Mr. Telfair how many attempts were made to contact the owner; Mr. Telfair answered 8 or 9. Mr. Pradia asked if all due diligence was conducted; Mr. Telfair stated yes.  Mr. Worsham asked if the City had a mechanism in which it could make the repairs and the owner be prosecuted for the cost; Mr. Telfair stated that the City is operating under the Spot Blight ordinance which includes abatement or demolition. He stated that abatement costs the City money but ultimately a lien is placed on the property. Mr. Worsham stated that the building is probably sound, and the back wing is what is in the worst shape; Mr. Hines stated probably not. He also stated that if he thought that any property was in eminent danger, the City can act on the eminent danger clause which does not require ARB approval. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. Margaret Byrne asked why the properties were all in such close proximity to each other; Mr. Hines stated that accessibility is important for the National Guard to do the demolitions. Ms. Byrne asked if there is opportunity to salvage some of the historic material; Mr. Telfair stated the City cannot authorize anyone to enter the homes. Robert Ingram asked if any of the windows, other historic materials could be salvaged. Mr. Ward stated that it is not a part of this program, Operation Renew. Mr. Worsham moved to accept staff’s recommendation. The motion failed due to lack of a second. Mr. Ward moved to approve the proposed application, followed by a second from Mr. Pradia. The motion passed 3-1, with Mr. Worsham opposing. i. 212 S. Jones Street: The applicant, City Attorney Brian K. Telfair, was present. Staff recommended denial of the proposed application. Mr. Telfair stated he is not aware of when the property was placed on the red-tagged list, but that the notice has since turned white. He stated the total assessed value is $14,400. Mr. Telfair stated the owner has admitted they have no plans to abate or demolish the property due to financial reasons. Mr. Worsham asked how do criminals get into the site; Mr. Ward stated the rear door is missing. Mr. Telfair also mentioned that evidence scattered on the site outside the property provides evidence that illegal activity takes place at this property. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no public comments for or against. Mr. Pradia moved to approve the proposed application, followed by a second from Mr. Ward. The motion passed 3-1, with Mr. Worsham opposing. j. 229 Franklin Street: The applicant, Robert Ingram, was present. Staff recommended approval of the proposed application and placing a time limit on the temporary chain link fence. Mr. Pradia asked for the specifications of the new windows for the second floor; the applicant stated they will be two over two and he can produce specifications for them and will bring those back to the board. Chair Battiston asked staff to get with Mr. Telfair to see if the City has any mechanism to enforce temporary COAs at the time of their expiration. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no comments for or against. Mr. Ward moved to approve the application with the condition that the new window information is submitted to staff for approval, the temporary (1 year) chain link fence if the City Attorney states there is a way to monitor its temporary status, otherwise the fence should be secured using sand bags or other temporary means; this motion was followed by a second from Mr. Pradia. The motion was approved unanimously. k. 209 S. Jefferson Street: The applicant, Christina Jacobson, was present. Staff recommended approval of the proposed application with the exception of the metal carport. Chair Battiston stated that the complete metal carport is not appropriate. He stated a wood frame garage would be more appropriate. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no comments for or against. Mr. Worsham moved to approve the application except for the carport, followed by a second from Mr. Pradia. The motion passed unanimously. l. 305 N. Sycamore Street: The applicant, Dino Lunsford, was present. Staff recommended approval. Mr. Ward stated that a more detailed drawing of trim and the pilasters needs to be presented to staff. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no comments for or against. Mr. Ward moved to approve the application with the condition that detailed drawings including additional trim, clarifications on the elevation, and a side view of one of the columns are submitted to staff, followed by a second from Mr.  Worsham. The motion passed unanimously. m. 221 S. Jones Street: The applicant, Ember Wilson Brown, was present. Staff recommended denial of the proposed application. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no comments for or against. Mr. Ward moved to approve the proposed application, followed by a second from Mr. Pradia. The motion passed 3-1, with Mr. Worsham opposing. n. 601 Grove Avenue: The applicant, Margaret Byrne, was present. Staff recommended approval of the proposed application. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no comments for or against. Mr. Worsham moved to approve the proposed application, followed by a second from Mr. Ward. The motion passed unanimously. o. 116 Liberty Street: The applicant was not present. Staff recommended approval of the proposed application. Chair Battiston asked for public comment. There were no comments for or against. Mr. Ward moved to approve the proposed application, followed by a second from Mr. Pradia. The motion passed unanimously. 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS 9. WORK SESSION 10. ADJOURNMENT With there being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by a motion from Mr. Ward and a second by Mr. Worsham. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.