Board of Historic & Architectural Review

The Smithfield Board of Historic and Architectural Review (BHAR) held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 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 Julie Hess Judith Lally Members absent: Gary Hess Staff present: Mark Kluck – Planner Press: None Citizens: 3 Chairman Gwaltney welcomed all attendees to the meeting. 2024 Election of Officers Mark Kluck, Planner, inquired if there were any nominations for the office of Chairman. Vice Chair Hillegass nominated Trey Gwaltney to remain Chairman. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. Mr. Kluck inquired if there were any other nominations. Seeing none, he called for the vote. Mrs. Hess voted aye, Mr. Hill vote aye, Mr. Hornback voted aye, Mrs. Lally voted aye, Vice Chair Hillegass voted aye, and Chairman Gwaltney abstained. The motion passed. Mr. Kluck inquired if there were any nominations for the office of Vice Chair. Chairman Gwaltney nominated Julia Hillegass to remain Vice Chair. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. Mr. Kluck inquired if there were any other nominations. Seeing none, he called for the vote. Mr. Hill vote aye, Mr. Hornback voted aye, Mrs. Lally voted aye, Chairman Gwaltney voted aye, Mrs. Hess voted aye, and Vice Chair Hillegass abstained. The motion passed. Planner’s Report: Mr. Kluck reported that Town Staff continued to work on the Historic District Guidelines updates. Public Comments: Chairman Gwaltney reported that there were no sign-ups to speak. Board of Historic and Architectural Review January 16th, 2024 Board Member Comments: Chairman Gwaltney recognized Gary Hess for his 9 years on the Board, and expressed appreciation for his service. He reported that the Board would presumably be getting a new member beginning in February. Material Change (Roof) – 230 Cary Street – Contributing – Carole Neider and Patrick Matijevich, applicants. Mr. Kluck reported that the applicants were seeking approval for a change to the roofing material located on the rear addition of their single-family dwelling. He stated that the applicants would like to change the roof material from a standing seam metal roof to architectural shingles thereby addressing leaks that were discovered while performing renovations that were previously approved at the November 21st, 2023 BHAR meeting. He detailed that the shingles would be GAF Timberline HDZ architectural shingles in “Charcoal.” Mr. Kluck reported that the front porch and main portion of the dwelling featured a silver-colored standing seam metal roof and were not proposed to be replaced at this time. He added that Town Staff recommended approval from a zoning standpoint and deferred to the BHAR for their architectural discretion. Chairman Gwaltney confirmed that the applicant was present to answer any questions the Board may have. He confirmed the status of the roofing as shown in the picture provided, and that work would not be completed on the carport awning. Carole Nieder of 230 Cary Street stated that was correct. Chairman Gwaltney asked if the work would be completed on the pitched roof next to the house, the flat roof over the sunroom, or both. Mrs. Nieder reported that the shingles would cover the whole pitched area, down and across, as there were leaks in that location. She confirmed that the whole roof portion would be replaced. Heather Harrell, representative from Hatchett Design and Remodel, explained that the packet included plans for the steep and low slopes on the roof. Mr. Kluck reported that the information was located on page 8 of the pdf provided. Mrs. Hess inquired if the shingles matched what was existing on other areas of the home’s roof as it was hard to tell from the picture provided. Chairman Gwaltney stated that the rest of the house’s roofing had metal standing-seam material. Mr. Hornback pointed out that the alteration would be at the rear of the house, and would be difficult to see from the street. He confirmed that the plan was to use architectural shingles, and not three-tabbed shingles. He added that the Board had approved that material in the past. Mr. Hill asked if they knew what the pitch of the roof was on the porch side. Mrs. Nieder reported that she did not. Mr. Hill pointed out that if the pitch was less than 3/12, then it could not have architectural shingles placed on it, or it would leak. Mr. Nieder stated that the roofer should know that information. 2 Board of Historic and Architectural Review January 16th, 2024 Chairman Gwaltney directed Mr. Hill to review the information supplied by the roofer where it was listed at the “Low-sloped roof section.” After discussion, he confirmed that there would be a membrane on the flat part of the roof and shingles on the pitched roof. Mr. Hill asked what color the membrane material would be. There was general discussion on whether the top of the flat portion of the roof was visible. Vice Chair Hillegass made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Mr. Hornback seconded the motion. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Assorted Exterior Changes – 107 Institute Street – Contributing – Hallwood Properties I LLC c/o Mark Hall, applicant. Mr. Kluck reported that the applicant was seeking approval for assorted exterior changes to the building to accommodate an interior reconfiguration. He detailed that the proposed renovations included: 1) Install an ADA-compliant concrete wheelchair ramp clad with Key West red brick manufactured by Triangle Brick. The ramp will include a forty-two inch (42”) tall white Liberty Series Intex PVC railings with an aluminum handrail. The ramp will also feature two landscaped planters, one at the foot of the ramp and one on the left side of the ramp. To accommodate the installation of the wheelchair ramp, the existing half-round entry red brick steps will be removed and replaced with a set of finished concrete steps located on the front right side of the building. 2) Install two (2) gable-style porch awnings over the two proposed sets of French doors. Each awning will be supported by two (2) twelve-inch (12”) fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) Chadworth Tuscan plain square non-tapered columns for a total of four (4) columns. The columns will be painted a gray color known as “Tin Lizzie (SW9163).” The gable ends of each awning will feature Hardie Vertical Siding painted in a white color known as “Westhighland White (SW7566).” The applicant will also be installing a “Westhighland White (SW 7566)” painted trellis between the two awnings. 3) Install two (2) sets of wooden Marvin Ultimate French doors, with each door featuring a single pane of glass. The two sets of French doors will be painted a dark green color known as “Rookwood Shutter Green (SW 2809)”. This will result in the removal of the existing single-entry door. 4) Install two (2) wooden Marvin Ultimate picture windows painted in “Rookwood Shutter Green (SW2809)” to match the French doors. The windows will feature a three-by-three (3x3) grid pattern. One window will be centered between the two sets of French doors, and the other window will be located on the front left side of the building. 5) The exposed white cinder block will be covered with “Westhighland White (SW7566)” painted Hardie siding, which will be the same color as the vertical Hardie siding in the gable ends of the two new awnings. Additionally, the corner 3 Board of Historic and Architectural Review January 16th, 2024 posts will be constructed out of Hardie trim boards and painted in a gray color known as “Tin Lizzie (SW 9163).” 6) The existing charcoal-colored architectural shingles will be replaced with GAF Timberline HDZ Architectural Shingles in a light brown color known as “Weathered Wood.” 7) The applicant will also be installing new trim, gutters, and downspouts on the building. The trim material will be “Tin Lizzie (SW 9163) painted Hardie trim boards, which will match the proposed columns. The gutters will be four-inch (4”) round aluminum gutters, and three-inch (3”) round downspouts will be painted “Westhighland White (SW7566)” to match the Hardie siding. He reported that since the drafting of the staff report, the applicant had submitted an additional rendering that proposed a wheelchair lift in place of the ramp as an alternative option. Mr. Kluck stated that Town Staff recommended approval from a zoning standpoint and deferred to the BHAR for architectural discretion. Mark Hall of 7432 Barton’s Landing in Smithfield was present to discuss the application. He stated that he had been working on the building for quite a while, and was at a point where he could focus on finishing the project. He updated that he already had a tenant lined up who would be utilizing the space for professional offices open 5 days a week. He continued that there was additional space available for perhaps a lawyer who also employed a paralegal. Mr. Hall said that his original application had included the use of “Rose Range Tudor” brick, which was found all over Smithfield but unfortunately had been discontinued. He stated that as a result he had requested approval to use “Spalding Tudor” brick with “Argos” colored mortar. He reported that he had brought examples of some of the materials for the Board to examine. Mr. Hall explained that he had second thoughts about including a ramp in the proposal as it was very large for such a small building. He said that he was not expecting a great need for use of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) apparatuses, and as such he was interested in the installation of a wheelchair lift. He stated that he felt both options were worthy of approval based on their aesthetics and merits. He requested that, if possible, the Board could pass both options which would allow him to make the best choice based on budget when it came time for installation. He emphasized that he was willing to work with the Board on whatever their decision was. Mr. Hornback noted that the ramp would be fronted by a brick façade from the front, with its entrance being to side of the front of the building. Mr. Hall confirmed that was correct. Mr. Hornback confirmed that the building’s porch area would have a concrete floor. Vice Chair Hillegass informed the Board that the Planning Commission had heard the application last week and had recommended approval of both options presented. Mr. Hall added that they would also have to go before the Town Council for approval as the property was non-conforming due to not having side yard setbacks. Chairman Gwaltney pointed out that the rendering provided showed what appeared to be a white fence around the property. Mr. Hall reported that had been added to clean the picture up, to allow focus just on the building. He stated that both options included planters that would be built into the masonry. 4