Board of Historic & Architectural Review

The Smithfield Board of Historic and Architectural Review (BHAR) held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 21st, at the Smithfield Center. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Members present: Trey Gwaltney – Chairman Julia Hillegass – Vice Chair Russell Hill Justin Hornback Gary Hess Julie Hess Judith Lally Members absent: Staff present: William H. Riddick, III – Town Attorney Mark Kluck – Planner Press: None Citizens: 6 Chairman Gwaltney welcomed all attendees to the meeting. Planner’s Report: Mark Kluck, Planner, stated that the appeal application for 111 North Church Street structure was sent to Town Council for review, and is scheduled to be discussed at the December 5th regular Town Council meeting. Public Comments: Chairman Gwaltney reported that there were no sign-ups to speak. Board Member Comments: Mrs. Lally reviewed that she had previously discussed that shrubbery was overtaking the sidewalks, and updated that they had been trimmed, with all the leaves having been removed from the sidewalk. She expressed her appreciation and stated that she felt it looked much better. Vice Chair Hillegass reported that the Planning Commission heard the revised application for The Grange and they recommended approval as newly presented. She explained that there were modifications made to the original proposal, adding that there were a number of public speakers, many of whom expressed a desire for the Commission to have an additional work session. She stated that the Planning Commission members did not feel it was necessary to complete an additional meeting. Vice Chair Hillegass reported that the changes included the removal of the proposed 4-story buildings the plan, the Farmer’s Market had been reworked a bit, and there was a reduction in the number of housing units. She stated that many people were depending on the BHAR to enforce high standards in the developments appearance. Board of Historic and Architectural Review August 15th, 2023 Chairman Gwaltney stated that the Town Council had their hands full with The Grange application all the way down to the little red barn in Town. Vice Chair Hillegass confirmed with Mr. Kluck that the Grange rezoning application would be heard at the Town Council meeting on December 5th. Color Change – 325 South Church Street – Non-Contributing – Michael and Kristin Wilda, applicants. Mr. Kluck reported that the applicants were seeking approval for a color change to the Hardie siding located in the two (2) front gables and the second-story gable at the rear of the single- family dwelling to a lighter shade of blue, known as “Blue Rhapsody,” as an accent color to the home. He added that the rest of the siding would remain “Summer Nights.” Mr. Kluck reviewed that the single-family dwelling was approved for new construction at the Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 BHAR meeting, with an additional color change to the front door (from red to grey) and all Hardie siding (from “Evening Blue” to “Sumer Nights”) approved at the Tuesday, September 19th BHAR meeting. He reported that Town Staff recommended approval from a zoning standing point and deferred to the BHAR for architectural discretion. Kristin Wilda of 325 South Church Street in Smithfield was present to speak and reported that she had brought a sample of the Hardie plank so that they may see the accent color described. Chairman Gwaltney confirmed that the only change was to the color within the gables. Vice Chair Hillegass made a motion to approve the application as presented. Mr. Hornback seconded the motion. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Exterior Changes – 230 Cary Street – Contributing – Carole Neider and Patrick Matijevich, applicants. Mr. Kluck reported that the applicants were seeking approval for exterior renovations to the single-family dwelling with no footprint changes. He included that most of the modifications will occur to the sunroom located on the rear left side of the single-family dwelling. He detailed that the exterior renovations would include the following: removal of five (5) floor-to-ceiling windows, one (1) set of sliding glass doors, one (1) set of wooden stairs, and one (1) two-over-two (2/2) white vinyl window on the rear right side of the home. Mr. Kluck stated that the removed features will be replaced with a new exterior wall featuring blue vinyl siding to match the existing blue vinyl siding, and one (1) 2’ 8” by 5’ 6” two-over-two (2/2) Simonton double-hung white vinyl window to match the white vinyl double-hung windows in the dwelling adorned with a set of burgundy vinyl louvered shutters to match the existing vinyl shutters on the home. He continued that the applicants would also be replacing one (1) vinyl window on the rear right side of the home with one (1) 2’ 8” by 5’ 6” two-over-two (2/2) Simonton double-hung white vinyl window, which would be set between the existing burgundy vinyl louvered shutters. He reviewed that Town Staff recommend approval from a zoning standing point and defer to the BHAR for the architectural discretion. 2 Board of Historic and Architectural Review August 15th, 2023 Chairman Gwaltney asked if the applicant was present and had anything they would like to add. He confirmed that they did not have any additional comments but were present for any questions from the Board. Mr. Hornback reviewed that the Board did not generally approve vinyl products, but in this case, it was replacing the existing materials. Mr. Hess stated that it had been his concern that if the Board approved the use of vinyl in this case, it needed to be accompanied by a note specifying why the vinyl material was given approval. Mr. Hill noted that the replacement windows were also matching the materials that were already existing on the structure. Chairman Gwaltney reviewed that the existing addition was clearly built onto a house that long pre-dated it. He added that it was not designed to architecturally blend into the existing structure’s style. He stated that it was only fair that the owner got to replace what style was already there. Mr. Hornback made a motion to approve the application as presented, with the notation that vinyl was approved because vinyl was existing on the structure. Mr. Hess seconded the motion. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Approval of the Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes: The Town Attorney recommended approval of the special meeting minutes as presented. Vice Chair Hillegass made a motion to approve the special meeting minutes as presented. Mrs. Lally seconded the motion. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Approval of the Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 Meeting Minutes: The Town Attorney recommended approval of the minutes as presented. Vice Chair Hillegass made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Hornback seconded the motion. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm. ______________________________ ________________________________ Mr. Trey Gwaltney – Chairman Mark Kluck - Planner 3