Board of Historic & Architectural Review

The Smithfield Board of Historic and Architectural Review (BHAR) held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 19th, 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 Judith Lally Leigh Abbott-Leaman Members absent: Julie Hess Russell Hill Justin Hornback Staff present: William Riddick, III – Town Attorney Mark Kluck – Planner Judy Winslow – Isle of Wight County Tourism Press: None Citizens: 3 Chairman Gwaltney welcomed all attendees to the meeting. Planner’s Report: Mr. Kluck, Planner, reported that Town Staff was applying for a grant through the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) for Board members to attend virtual sessions of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) FORUM in August 2024. He stated that Town Staff had asked that any Board member who was interested in attending the virtual sessions please contact the Planning Department by the end of March so that they could get a head count for the DHR grant application. He added that more information about the NAPC FORUM could be found on their website https://www.napcommissions.org/forum. He stated that in addition to the forum there would be a webinar on March 21st from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Substitute Materials for Historic Building Exteriors: Evaluation and Consideration for Use. Chairman Gwaltney asked if the webinar was related to the NAPC FORUM. Mr. Kluck explained that the webinar was being held by the NAPC; however, it was separate from the FORUM. He added that the webinar was free of charge. He reported that the overall theme for the FORUM was “Problems Facing Historic Commissions Throughout the Country.” Public Comments: Chairman Gwaltney confirmed that there were no members of the public that wished to make comment. Board of Historic and Architectural Review March 19th, 2024 Board Member Comments: There were no Board Member comments. Material Change (Windows) – 310 Institute Street – Contributing – Town of Smithfield, applicant. Mr. Kluck reported that the applicant was seeking after-the-fact approval for a material change for the windows in the Town Hall portion of the municipal building, and clarified that the Fire Department side of the building was not proposed to be replaced currently. He specified that the windows previously installed in the building featured a mix of wood and vinyl, detailing that the new windows were Fibrex composite Andersen-Woodwright double-hung windows and feature a nine-over-nine (9/9) grille pattern in the first-floor windows and a six-over-six (6/6) grille pattern in the second-floor windows. Mr. Kluck reported that Town Staff recommended approval from a zoning standing point and deferred to the BHAR for the architectural discretion. Chairman Gwaltney expressed his displeasure with the Town providing the BHAR with an after-the-fact application; however, he acknowledged that when the work order was put together, it had been planned to come before the Board for approval. He continued that due to staff and administration changes within the department, the timeline had become unclear. He pointed out that there was no representative from the Town to formally answer questions about the application. Mr. Kluck stated that he would answer any questions that the Board may have. Chairman Gwaltney said that he believed that the product that was used for the windows was one that the Board had approved for use previously on other Contributing buildings. Vice Chair Hillegass confirmed that was correct and made a motion to approve the application 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. Porcine Statue – 210 North Church Street – Contributing – Smithfield Little Theatre c/o Robert Cox, applicant. Mr. Kluck stated that the applicant was seeking approval to install a pig statue on a concrete platform near the entrance of the Smithfield Little Theatre. He said that the proposed design of the statue was meant to have a theatrical theme (example pictures provided) and would be similar in size to other statues found throughout Downtown Smithfield. He reported that Town Staff recommended approval from a zoning standing point and deferred to the BHAR for the architectural discretion. Chairman Gwaltney inquired if the applicant was present. Robert Cox of 1000819 Wrenn’s Mill Road in Smithfield was present to answer any Board questions. Vice Chair Hillegass asked if the proposed statue would be the same model as the other porcine statues throughout the Town. Mr. Cox reported that it would be the exact same model made by the same company as the other statues. 2 Board of Historic and Architectural Review March 19th, 2024 Chairman Gwaltney asked the Town Attorney if the four members of the Board present constituted a quorum and if there was an abstention would it affect the vote. The Town Attorney confirmed that there were enough members present, and if a member abstained it did not affect the vote. Mrs. Abbott-Leaman made a motion to approve the application as presented. Vice Chair Hillegass seconded the motion. The Town Attorney explained to Chairman Gwaltney that if he was considering abstaining due to his involvement with the Theatre, it would not be necessary. Chairman Gwaltney reported his concern was that he was a paid contractor for the Theatre, but specified he was not in the placement of the statue. He added that he did not want anything to be misconstrued by his voting. The Town Attorney said that he did not think that it was necessarily a conflict. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Mr. Cox said that on behalf of the Smithfield Little Theatre, he wanted to thank the BHAR for their consideration and approval of their project. Color Change – 201 North Church Street – Non-Contributing – John Williams, applicant. Mr. Kluck reported that the applicant was seeking approval for a color change to the fourteen (14) shutters, one (1) exhaust vent, and the entry door featured on the front of the single- family dwelling from green to a black color known as “Black Emerald (SW2936).” He stated that Town Staff recommended approval from a zoning standing point and deferred to the BHAR for the architectural discretion. Meg Souder of 201 North Church Street in Smithfield was present to answer questions regarding the application. Vice Chair Hillegass made a motion to approve the application 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. Temporary Signage – Downtown Main Street Area – Unclassified – Smithfield & Isle of Wight County Tourism C/O Judy Winslow. Mr. Kluck explained that the applicant was seeking approval to erect temporary signs in Downtown Smithfield to attract visitors to the family-owned businesses in the area during the Cypress Creek Bridge Restoration Project. He reported that the temporary signs would come in three types: A-frame signs measuring 2 feet by 3 feet (6 square feet), yard signs measuring 2 feet by 1.5 feet (3 square feet), or banners measuring 3 feet by 8 feet (24 square feet). Three (3) A- frame signs will be installed along Main Street. He detailed that the first sign would be located at the intersection of Main Street and South Church Street (near the Isle of Wight County Museum), the second sign would be placed at the Visitor’s Center at 319 Main Street, and the third sign would be placed at the corner of the Route 10 Bypass and Main Street. He added that one (1) banner would be placed on the porch railings at Smithfield Station, and each of the Main Street 3 Board of Historic and Architectural Review March 19th, 2024 businesses will receive one (1) yard sign. Mr. Kluck stated that Town Staff recommended approval from a zoning standing point and deferred to the BHAR for the architectural discretion. Mrs. Lally questioned how the signs would fit into the recent changes considered for the sign ordinance. Mr. Kluck said that currently the nature of the signs did not meet the criteria to fall under that ordinance. Mrs. Lally stated that she understood that the signs were meant to be temporary, but gave the reminder that the bridge project was slated to last nearly 2 years. Mrs. Lally made a motion to approve the application as presented. Vice Chair Hillegass seconded the motion. Mr. Kluck reported that the sign ordinance changes were recommendations at this time, and would be included in the updated ordinance once completed. Mrs. Lally said that her understanding was that larger signs were ok, but would need several levels of approval. Mr. Kluck detailed that the larger signs would need to be approved by the BHAR before Town Staff issued zoning permits, etc. Mrs. Lally clarified that she was not against the proposed signage, but wanted it to known that because the banners were present, it was not something that was just allowed. The Town Attorney imparted that if a banner was put up, the person who placed it would get a citation. Mr. Kluck reported that Joseph Reish, Code Compliance Officer for the Town of Smithfield, completed weekly sign round-ups. Chairman Gwaltney asked what the specific designation was between a temporary and permanent sign. The Town Attorney reported that it was defined within the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Kluck stated that the Town was permitting the signs as they did meet that temporary definition, adding that he believed that the temporary sign designation was limited to 6 months; however, the signs in question would be permitted for the duration of the project as outlined in the application. Mrs. Lally reiterated her motion to approve the application as presented. Vice Chair Hillegass again seconded the motion. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. Judy Winslow, Isle of Wight Tourism Director, reported that they had received feedback from the downtown merchants that the bridge project had affected their businesses considerably. Approval of the Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 Meeting Minutes: The Town Attorney recommended that the February minutes be approved as presented. Vice Chair Hillegass made a motion to approve the minutes as present. Mrs. Abbott- Leaman seconded the motion. Chairman Gwaltney called for a collective vote, all members present were in favor, with none opposed. The motion passed. 4