Architectural Review Board

Architectural Review Board City of Petersburg, Virginia Minutes of the Regular Meeting November 8, 2023 6:00 p.m. Multipurpose Room, Petersburg Public Library 201 W. Washington Street, Petersburg VA 23803 Members Present: Chair, Joe Battiston Bill Hartsock Louis Malon Larry Murphy Joe Yates Members Absent: Dino Lunsford Celeste Wyn 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, November 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23803. 2. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. REVIEW OF MINUTES Minutes from the previous meeting held on October 11, 2023 were presented. Mr. Malon motioned to approve the minutes, with a second from Mr. Yates. Motion passed unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Staff said that the applicant from item 6h had withdrawn their application. Mr. Malon motioned to approve the agenda with the removal of item 6h, with a second from Mr. Yates. 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. No speakers came forward. Chair Battiston closed the floor for any additional speakers. 1 6. REQUEST(S) FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS 6a. 106 N. Sycamore Street Applicant Kristopher Russell present, staff recommended approval for staining brick and installing sign. Joe Battiston stated he was leaning towards denial after reading the documentation on the stain as the bricks currently match the neighboring properties. Larry Murphy believes that bricks are non-contributing and that the applicants have done everything the ARB has asked of them. Mr. Malon agreed, but stated he wasn’t a fan of painted brick. Mr. Battiston opened the floor for public comment. Jocelyn Toppin spoke, she thought it looked good aesthetically and appreciated that the applicant had done research. Sharif Suman spoke. He was a house flipper and said sometimes bricks are too damaged and should be painted, and that painted brick looked attractive. With there being no further comments, Mr. Battiston closed the comment period. Mr. Battiston commented that normally painted brick is not appropriate, and that this case was only being considered because it was a non-contributing building to the historic district. Louis Malon motioned for approval, Mr. Murphy seconded the motion. Larry Murphy, Louis Malon, Joe Yates voted for approval. Bill Hartsock and Joe Battiston voted no. Motion passed. 6b. 903 W High Street Applicant Bayron Cordova present, staff recommended denial for removal of rear addition. While in poor condition guidelines ask that external buildings remain intact. Joe Battiston asked if the applicant is planning to tear down the rear building or renovate the current building. The applicant intended to renovate the main building and tear down the rear because it was in very bad condition. 2 Bill Hartsock asked if the chimney within the exterior structure can be saved if the applicants choose to tear down the structure. The applicants believe the chimney can be saved. Larry Murphy points out that some of the renderings do not show the chimney while some do. Joe Battiston suggested that a faux chimney could be installed if that was easier. He went on to add that any changes to the windows must meet original size and configuration and be of an appropriate material, column replacement must be in the same style, and the roof must be replaced with a standing seam metal roof. The ARB reiterated that the outbuilding addition had to be retained. Mr. Murphy noted that otherwise the plans looked good. No public comment. Louis Malon motioned to approve the renovation as presented, and in-kind repairs or replacement of rear outbuilding addition. Bill Hartsock seconded, passed unanimously. 6c. 20 W Old St Applicant Richard Cuthbert present, staff recommended approval for mural on non- original garage door. Joe Battiston asked the applicant about mural guidelines; in particular if the mural will be original to Petersburg, since most of his portfolio had art of the same style. The applicant explained that each of the artist’s murals are unique. Joe Battiston stated that although he’s not in favor of all murals, he was open to this mural as it would be painted onto a non-original door which could be easily removed. Mr. Murphy said the artist is a VSU grad so having someone local would be nice. Mr. Battiston asked if the artist would do a mockup first or paint on side. The applicant said probably on site. No public comment. Joe Yates motioned for approval, Larry Murphy seconded. Mr. Murphy, Mr. Yates, Mr. Malon, and Mr. Battiston voted yes; Mr. Hartsock voted no. Motion passed. 6d. 606 S Sycamore Street Applicant present Valerie Parham, staff recommended approval to install an external staircase to the rear of the structure. 3 Mr. Murphy stated he might act as contractor for the project and would therefore recuse himself. Joe Yates asks for official architectural drawings for planned staircase, which would also be necessary for getting a building permit. Mr. Battiston suggested approving the concept and having the applicant send the final plans to staff for final approval. Mr. Battiston motioned to grant administrative approval to staff once architectural plans have been submitted, Joe Yates seconded. Passed unanimously. 6e. 605 S Sycamore Applicant present Jocelyn Toppin, staff recommended approval for issuance of a historic building plaque. The applicant said everything was original or replaced in-kind. Joe Yates highly compliments owner’s renovations No public comment, Louis Malon motioned to approve the issuance of the historic building plaque, Louis Malon seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6f. 22 Liberty Street Applicant Dennis Jefferson present, as well as contractor Alden Eckles; staff recommended approval for the removal of non-original side addition and in-kind repairs. Mr. Battiston asked how close the addition was to the other house, it was only 4 inches. The ARB wondered how it was even built, and agreed that it should not have. Bill Hartsock asks for clarification on the project. The applicant explained that repairs will be in kind and will return the property to its original, historic design. Joe Battiston asked about roof material. The applicant will be using a standing seam metal roof with a TPO membrane over the built in gutters where it would not be visible. No public comment. Bill Hartsock motioned to approve renovations as submitted, Louis Malon seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4 6g. 26 Liberty Street Applicant Dennis Jefferson present, as well as contractor Alden Eckles; staff recommended approval for in kind repairs and for the replacement of siding and roof. The applicant explained that the repairs will be the same as 22 Liberty St. They will be using a standing seam metal roof and a TPO membrane for the built in gutters. No public comment. Louis Malon motioned to approve the repairs as submitted, Larry Murphy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6h. 209 S Jefferson Street Applicant David Stokes present, staff recommended approval to install storm windows. This item was removed from the agenda, but since the applicant was present it was heard. Joe Battiston informed the applicant that storm windows must be the same color as the window sashes and match the location of the meeting rail and be low profile. Joe Yates asked the applicant if the windows have been replaced or restored. The applicant explained that the windows have been restored and would like to install the storm windows for additional noise suppression. Mr. Stokes had supporting information and said they would be painted as requested. No public comment. Louis Malon motioned to approve staff to grant administrative approval for the storms once their size was confirmed., Joe Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6i. 25 S Jefferson Street Applicant Sharif Suman present, staff recommended partial approval for renovations, window replacement, fence installation, driveway installation, roof replacement, and painting the exterior of the building. Joe Battiston asked the applicant about the planned color for the rear exterior building and about the planned roofing material. The applicant said the outbuilding was already painted red so they just changed the color to match some of the siding on the rear additions of the building. The applicant also explained that he had to repair some areas of the outbuilding roof. Joe Battiston informed the applicant that if the building used a metal roof then he must install a new metal roof. Mr. Suman preferred asphalt shingles but accepted the requirement for metal. The applicant said the main roofs on 5 both houses were asphalt shingles, with some of the additions having flat roofs, and asked if those things could stay, or the 3-tabb shingles be replaced with dimensional shingles. The ARB said yes. The applicant asked about recommendations for gutters on the main structure, because 29 S. Jefferson had K style gutters. Joe Battiston suggested half round gutters with round downspouts for 25 S. Jefferson, and the K style on 29 S Jefferson could stay or also be replaced with half round and round downspouts. The applicant informed the board he is planning on restoring the porch of 25 S Jefferson in the same style as 29 S Jefferson. Mr. Battiston suggested using Richmond rails, staff would provide specs. Staff recommended approval for everything submitted with the exception to the vinyl windows. The applicant explained that he is currently looking into the windows. He cites high costs to restore the windows and that only 14 of the windows are original. The applicant is willing to use composite materials. Joe Battiston explained that new composite materials are okay to use as well as wood and aluminum clad. Bill Hartsock further explained proper windows would have real mullions rather than false clip in grills. Staff thought the windows on 29 S Jefferson were repaired or replaced with wood. The applicant asked if he could paint the trin dark, this was referred to staff for administrative approval. Joe Battiston recommended using an exposed aggregate for the steep parts of the proposed driveway. Bill Hartsock added that the flat parking area can stay gravel. Joe Battiston agrees, citing that it will help reduce stormwater management fees. Joe Battiston goes on to recommend using Schlage, a metal by-product, for parking. The applicant would like to install an iron fence along the perimeter with a gate crossing the driveway. Both Joe Battiston and Larry Murphy do not recommend a gate across the driveway citing concerns with traffic. Staff noted that the front yard fence was proposed too tall, as there is a 3 ½ maximum height for front yards. Joe Yates expressed his concerns about the planned information and recommended deferral. Joe Battiston and Louis Malon agree with his concerns. The applicant asked if there is anything he can do to expedite the process. The board informed him that staff is allowed to approve materials for in-kind repairs once the applicant sends further information on the used materials. No public comment. 6  Joe Yates motioned to defer the application based on lack of information, Bill Hartsock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6j. 29 S Jefferson Street Applicant Sharif Suman present, staff recommended denial of parking area. Since this was basically the same application as 25 S Jefferson, the board agreed to defer it as well. No public comment. Joe Yates motioned to defer till the applicant can provide further information, Bill Hartsock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Hartsock asked if the new paint on 106 W. Old Street was approved. Staff said yes, they even chose from the Williamsburg historic color collection. 9. WORK SESSION 9a. Staff proposed submitting the McKenney Library to the National Register. Mr. Yates asked if they would be keeping the 1950s addition; as far as staff knew it would be staying. Staff requested the ability to approve storm windows administratively if they were appropriate; the board agreed. 10. ADJOURNMENT Joe Yates motioned to adjourn, Bill Hartsock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7