Architectural Review Board

Architectural Review Board City of Petersburg, Virginia Minutes of the Regular Meeting August 14, 2019 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall 135 N. Union Street, Petersburg VA 23803 Members Present: Chair, Joe Battiston Vice-Chair, Dino Lunsford Lisa Jordan Larry Murphy Celeste Wynn Mitchell Pradia Members Absent: Terry Ammons Staff: Secretary to the ARB, Kate Sangregorio 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Joe Battiston called to order a regular meeting of the City of Petersburg Architectural Review Board on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 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 from July 10, 2019 were presented. Ms Jordan motioned to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ms Wynn. The motion passed unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms Wynn made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted, seconded by Ms Jordan. 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: 1 a. 319 E. Washington Street: Approved with the unanimous approval of the agenda. Regular Agenda: b. 225 High Street: Applicant present, Bill Nicholson. Staff recommended approval. Mr Nicholson explained that the house was moved to its current location in 1998, piece by piece it was assembled over 10 years, and the side additions were added. In South Boston the house had kitchen additions, but those were left there. Mr Nicholson said there was no other convenient location for egress than his selection for putting an exterior door on the right side of the house. He also said he wants to keep the original footprint of the house and he has Thomas Day furniture to go in it. The left and right extensions were added in the early 2000s, and he wants to flatten the grade to make it look more like a farm house, and have shrubs to block those side additions so the focus would be the original house. Mr Battiston said at the last meeting they didn’t know the sides were new additions, so this mitigates the issue of cutting a door into historic fabric. Mr Battiston confirmed the plan to mimic the front porch on the back, Mr Nicholson said yes, but there would be 5 extra feet on the sides. Mr Battiston said this was good. Mr Nicholson explained that the wrap around porch was the architect’s idea, while he would actually like to have a 3 foot service stair. Mr Battiston said if that was going on the new addition side it would not be an issue. Mr Nicholson said the back is single panel, which will be duplicated but smaller. Mr Pradia asked for confirmation in what the ARB decided at the last meeting. No public comment. Ms Jordan motioned to approve the application with the stipulation that staff would review the door before it’s installed. Motion seconded by Mr Murphy and passed unanimously. c. 30 Liberty Street: Applicant not present. Mr Lunsford motioned to move the application to the end of the agenda, seconded by Ms Wynn. The motion passed unanimously. d. 405 S. Sycamore Street: Applicant not present. Mr Lunsford motioned to move the application to the end of the agenda, seconded by Ms Jordan. The motion passed unanimously. 2  e. 9 N Sycamore Street: Applicant present, Gwen Cooper. Staff recommended approval. Mr Battiston commented that he was familiar with the property, and that he believed stucco would be a more appropriate exterior treatment than what’s existing. Mr Pradia asked if the Trompe L’oeil painted brick method was used elsewhere in the city, staff did not believe there were any other examples locally. No public comment. Mr Lunsford motioned to approve the application with a second from Mr Murphy. The motion passed unanimously. Ms Cooper asked about good stucco companies, Mr Murphy said she should look into getting something with a warranty because of the potential for moisture problems. d. 405 S. Sycamore Street: Applicant now present, Charlie Cuthbert. Staff recommended approval. Mr Battiston commented that the drawings were through and he had no questions. Mr Murphy confirmed that the driveway entry was from Fillmore Street, MR Cuthbert said yes than the established driveway would remain in place. No public comment. Ms Jordan motioned to approve the application with a second from Mr Pradia. The motion passed unanimously. c. 30 Liberty Street: Applicant still not present. Staff recommended partial approval. Mr Murphy confirmed that the brick pavers would be for the front walkway to the house, this was true. Mr Lunsford commented that staff could administratively approve a wooden fence. No public comment. A motion was made by Mr Lunsford to deny the vinyl fence with a note that staff could administratively approve a wood fence in its place; and approve the remaining items on the application. Motion seconded by Ms Wynn and passed unanimously. 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS 3  a. 302 Halifax Street, application for signage Mr Battiston requested to know the colors for the sign to ensure it wouldn’t look cheap. Ms Wynn wondered if the lettering would be solid colors or just boarders. Mr Lunsford understood the applicant wants the sign to pop, but felt it should be discussed. Mr Murphy also wanted to see more information. Mr Battiston recommended the applicant come to the next ARB meeting. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS 9. WORK SESSION a. Resident from 33. Liberty Street was present. There was a brief Q and A between the ARB and the citizen on his historic property. b. September 16 Workshop. Staff informed the ARB that there would be a workshop on September 16, sponsored by HPF, about what it means to live in a historic district. 10. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mr Lunsford to adjourn the meeting seconded by Ms Wynn, the motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned. 4