Architectural Board of Review

Architectural Board of Review Minutes Tuesday, January 21, 2025 8 A.M. Via Conference - Zoom Members Present: Hans Walter, Chair David Berlekamp, Member Greydon Petznik, Alternate Member Others Present: Daniel Feinstein, Senior Planner Kelly Beck, Planning Specialist The meeting was called to order by Daniel Feinstein, Senior Planner at 8:00 a.m. * * * * Approval of Minutes from the January 6, 2025 meeting. Approved. * * * * ABR24-000107 – 18134 Chagrin Boulevard – Resubmission: Porch. Sally Levine, architect, said they have investigated the porch foundation and the foundation is acceptable and will permit the posts to be on the existing slab. The new plans have been revised to reflect the revisions. Mr. Walter said he would like to confirm the side elevation foundations retain the existing brick conditions. These details are not shown on the existing plans. Ms. Levine said the porch remains as existing in its entirety. There is brick surrounding the foundation. Approved. * * * * ABR25-000001 – 3694 Chelton Road – Window Alteration. Michael Leonetti, Yosemite Construction, explained they want to change the first floor front windows from cottage to double hung windows and the side elevation first floor from casement windows to double hung windows. This will make the windows uniform throughout the house. Mr. Berlekamp said he would like to see a direct match on the first floor front windows. Mr. Leonetti said the cost and time to order these windows is prohibitive. Mr. Walter said the cottage windows on the front elevation must be retained. The size of these windows is longer than the others, purposefully making this a cottage style window. This will keep the check rail uniform throughout the first floor. Approved with the condition that the front first floor windows remain as cottage windows and the rear sliding door has colonial grids. Submit revised quote for administrative review, and include new sliding door information. * * * * ABR24-000219 – 3716 Rolliston Road – Window Alteration. New Vinyl Siding. Tom Sokolowski, Guardian City Renovations, said they are remodeling the entire home. At the rear they are proposing revisions to the sunroom. They will remove the glass block windows and install new double hung windows which are uniform around all three walls. They are trying to match the house siding on this addition/sunroom, but the existing house has 8 inch siding. They are proposing the new siding as double 4 inch vinyl siding. Mr. Berlekamp asked about the window trim detail. This is not shown on the plans. Mr. Sokolowski said they will be trimmed out like the house. The owner plans to paint the entire house in 2025, but the trim remains. Approved the window installation with the following conditions: 1) the new windows will have the window trim built out to match the city trim detail; 2) the addition siding will match the house; 3) existing windows on the house will have the trim built out to match the city trim detail. Trim details must be provided. Submit trim details with the siding size change for administrative review. * * * * ABR25-000002 – 2970 East Belvoir Boulevard – Window Alteration. Krystal Valenti, Renewal by Andersen, explained they want to replace a set of second floor windows with a bow window with four operable casement windows. James Shlonsky, homeowner, said they chose this option as it was a smoother appearance than the bay window on the first floor. There was general agreement that two bay windows should probably match and that a design and drawing of the new window is needed. Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 2 of 9 Tabled for the applicant to provide a rear elevation drawing of the first and second floors detailing the bow window design and placement. Submit revised plans for Board review. * * * * ABR25-000003 – 22275 Shelburne Road – Exterior Alteration. Jala Safadi, Ibex Construction, said they propose to remove the sliding door on the rear of the house and install windows. This helps with the kitchen renovations. Mr. Feinstein asked what type of window will be used for the infill. Mr. Safadi said it is a casement/picture/casement window like the window to the left. Mr. Berlekamp asked if the sill and head heights match the existing window. Mr. Safadi said they are the same heights. Approved with the following conditions: 1) the sill and head height matches the window adjacent to the left; and 2) the trim detail matches the trim on the existing house windows. Submit revised plan for administrative review. * * * * ABR25-000005 – 14605 Drexmore Road – Addition. Window Alteration. Christine Medvedev, architect, said the front elevation remains exactly the same. There is an addition at the rear of the house that is modern and inconsistent with the house architecture. They will remove this addition along with an existing patio and porch. The new kitchen addition includes a ramp from a new rear door and a screened in porch. An elevator shaft, extending through the roofline to the second floor is also planned. The roof dormer is also updated to allow for better drainage. The new doors and windows will match the existing house windows and be re-used whenever possible. The railing, decking, skirt and ramp are made of Trex, a composite material. Mr. Walter asked if the elevator shaft window is operational, and visual. Ms. Medvedev said yes, it is usable, and is re-located from another location on the house. There was discussion regarding how the screened porch meets the house wall and roofline. Approved. * * * * Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 3 of 9 ABR25-000006 – 2856 Eaton Road – New Sunroom. David Ellison, architect, said they are proposing new walls for this rear porch. There will be a new masonry base and re-glazing, along with a new French entry door at the interior corner. They will be separating the downspouts from the main roof so not all of the rain water flows on this roof. The existing roof remains. The new windows are equally spaced slider windows with dark exterior and grids. Mr. Walter said he likes the alterations. What about the side elevation where there is one window and an infill panel? What is that material? Mr. Ellison said it is stained cedar shake siding. Mr. Berlekamp said there is smooth siding at the garage. Either material seems appropriate. Approved. * * * * ABR24-000223 – 19620 Lomond Boulevard - Solar. Scott Christensen, Kin Home, said this installation will offset nearly 100% of the electric load at this home. The rear roof has many penetrations that limit the amount of panels that can be located on that elevation. There are 10 panels proposed for the front elevation with conduit running through the attic space. The panels and racks are black. Mr. Walter said he appreciates the rectangular shape of the panel array on the front elevation. Can these panels be centered on the front roof? Approved with the condition that the front elevation panels are centered on the roof. Submit revised plans for administrative review. * * * * ABR25-000007 – 22650 Rye Road – Porch Alteration. Michael Tomsik, architect, said these changes alter the front entry to get a roof over the stoop. They will use a manufactured curved metal roof in grey color. The sides are proposed to have decorative metal panel inserts. The existing steps remain. Mr. Petznik asked how this roof meets the house. Mr. Tomsik said the metal wrapped pilasters will be removed. The original trim will be restored or replicated. Mr. Petznik asked if the new roof will fit within the opening before the stone front façade begins. Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 4 of 9 Mr. Berlekamp asked about the railing for the step. It is shown on the detail, but not the drawing. Mr. Walter asked about the details of the metal canopy. Mr. Tomsik said it is a standing seam roof with a very subtle rib. Mr. Walter said this is a small area that he is working within. It may appear crowded. This is hard to evaluate without the rest of the materials and details of the front elevation being included in the drawing. Mr. Berlekamp asked what material is on the underside of the roof. Mr. Tomsik said it is a vinyl bead board. Mr. Petznik asked about a light. Mr. Tomsik said it will be a shallow surface-mounted light. Continued in order for the applicant to provide the following: 1) drawings showing the front elevation including the stone detail including how the walls relate to the entry roof; 2) detail drawing of the roof and other materials; 3) example of the post base fasteners. * * * * ABR24-000224 – 18506 Scottsdale Boulevard – As-Built: Vinyl Siding. Mr. Feinstein said this home was renovated but no permits were obtained for the exterior changes. Thomas Springer, property owner, explained their contractor only got permits for the interior work. They did not know they had no permit or approval for the siding. They used treated wood as the detail above the front elevation windows. There used to be shutters on the second floor. The permits were applied for, and are now pending. Mr. Feinstein noted the front windows have been replaced with side by side double hung windows. Mr. Walter said the modern design is not bad on this specific house. The window frames are not built out beyond the new siding. This type of detail needs to be remedied. Mr. Berlekamp said the overall modern design of the vertical siding works for this house. The details do not. He wants to ensure any approvals for this redesign does not set a precedent for other colonial style homes in the city. Mr. Feinstein noted that if any as-built work is not appropriate it must be removed and replaced appropriately. They are proposing a modern farmhouse design. The design question is if this design is appropriate on this specific house. The Board has not reviewed this type of alteration. There was a new house designed specifically as a modern farmhouse design. The Board has reviewed vertical siding on portions of existing homes as a detail. Any precedent is based on a case by case design review of the design of a specific house. Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 5 of 9 Mr. Walter asked if this proposal had been reviewed prior to the work being done, would they have approved it. The swap out of the picture windows for double hung windows is not usually appropriate for a colonial house but does go better with this modern design. The entire composition does not look bad, but the details need to be worked out. The treated lumber beams above the windows are not appropriate. Mr. Springer said they should have assured the permits were approved. The contractor was registered with the City. They are no longer using that contractor. This is an investment for them and they are trying to remedy any issues with the city. Mr. Petznik said he agrees that they do not usually approve vertical siding for an entire house. This specific house design seems to be ok with this more modern siding style. He is not convinced of the details in several instances. The treated lumber window headers are not appropriate. Could that be cased out? Or trimmed out and painted dark brown? There is always a horizontal meeting line when using vertical siding. This meeting line on this house is very thin. Could or should it be a wider trim board? The j-channel around the windows needs to be resolved so it is back behind the siding. The gable over the front door needs a flat panel, not the vertical siding. Mr. Berlekamp said the front entry portico design is incongruous now that the house looks modern. The entry design needs to be worked out. Mr. Springer said all the flat portions around the doorway were flat before. They saved as much detail as possible. Mr. Walter said the house siding details need to be fixed and clarified to go with the house design. The door/entry could go further toward modern detailing. The door and panels could be darker in color. Mr. Feinstein noted that a typical modern farmhouse has black windows and doors. Mr. Berlekamp said he would like to see specifically how the applicant plans to integrate the modern farmhouse including the trim and entry details into this house design. Continued with the following suggestions: 1) present a cohesive modern farmhouse design for this house; 2) the treated lumber above the front façade windows is wrapped with an appropriate material or replaced and painted white or dark brown; 3) all window casings are built out and cased per the city specifications; 4) the gable in the front entry is altered to be a flat material; 5) resolve the treatment and color scheme of the front entry, door and side lites; and 6) a band board be considered at the belt course. Submit proposal and drawings for Board review. * * * * ABR24-000218 – 3722 Avalon Road – Preliminary Review: Window Color. Jason Hager, Cleveland Living LLC, said they cannot match the current window color exactly. They are proposing white windows instead. They can cap/coil the framing in any color. Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 6 of 9 Mr. Feinstein noted the application came in for replacement white windows when the existing is currently dark brown. The trim on the house and in the gable end and addition are dark brown. Mr. Berlekamp said all the trim and detailing could be white with white windows. The gutters, downspouts and all wood areas would also have to be white. Mr. Feinstein said the shutters could be black if the windows and trim are white. Mr. Petznik asked if the color was chosen for the house design or by window manufacturing limitations. Most companies can make dark brown windows. If it is by design, then all of the trim should change. Mr. Hager said the decision was cost driven. Mr. Walter said the windows should remain brown. He does not think the rest of the house being white is appropriate with the side gables and two additions on the rear. The Board suggested the following: 1) work to source affordable brown windows; or 2) consider a trim color change including all trim, downspouts, gutters, and horizontal siding. If a full trim color change is chosen, submit the design to the Board for further review. * * * * Other Business 3574 Winchell Road—Roof Material Color Submit photo of shingle material against the existing house roof. * * * * ABR24-000229 – 2986 Falmouth Road – Window Alteration. Michael Biondo, Go Permits, representing Zoe Beaumier Hruby, homeowner. Applicant not present. Item not reviewed. * * * * ABR25-000004 – 3707 Daleford Road – Porch Alteration. Yongkai Ren, YKR Construction, representing Tysen Wright-Bey, homeowner. Applicant not present. Item not reviewed. * * * * Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 7 of 9 Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 8 of 9 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. The next meeting will be February 3, 2025. _________________________________ _________________________________ James Neville, Chair Hans Walter, Vice Chair Architectural Board of Review Architectural Board of Review Architectural Board of Review 01/21/2025 Page 9 of 9