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HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION July 9, 2015 THE REGULAR MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 9:00 A.M. IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SUFFOLK CITY HALL NOTE: IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THIS MEETING, PLEASE CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING BY 12:00 NOON, WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2015 514-4060 RANDY HICKS CHAIRMAN PREPARED BY THE CITY OF SUFFOLK DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF PLANNING  AGENDA HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION JULY 9, 2015 9:00 A.M. 1. Call to Order: Chairman 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Election of Officers 5. New Business A. Enforcement Update B. Administrative Approvals 6. Adjournment Page 1  MINUTES HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION May 14, 2015 9:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the Historic Landmarks Commission was held on Thursday, May 14, 2015, 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 442 W. Washington Street, Suffolk, Virginia, with the following persons present: MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF: Walter Boyette Robert Goumas, Assistant Director of Planning Susan Coley Solomon Ashby, Assistant City Attorney Merritt Draper Thomas Jordan, Planner II John Faircloth Jillian Scott, Office Assistant II Oliver Hobbs Edward King Amy Stone Vivian Turner MEMBERS ABSENT: Randy Hicks The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Boyette. The roll was called by Mr. Goumas and the Vice-Chairman was informed that a quorum was present. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented. The Vice-Chairman noted the time limits for public hearings are ten (10) minutes for proponents, fifteen (15) minutes for opponents, and five (5) minutes for rebuttal. NEW BUSINESS REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS HC-2015-11, submitted by Donald Brinn and Buddy Thomas, applicant and property owner, for the construction of a new detached single family residential structure located at 121 Saint James Avenue. The property is further identified as Zoning Map 34G17 Block (A) Parcel(s) 258, Suffolk Voting Borough, and is zoned RM (Residential Medium Density District), and HC (Historic Conservation Overlay District). The first item of business was introduced by the Vice-Chairman, followed by a staff report by Thomas Jordan, Planner II. Mr. Jordan stated the subject property was included in the district as part of the 2002 West End Expansion. The property is presently a vacant lot and the request seeks approval to construct a new single-family residence. The dwelling which formerly occupied the site was damaged by a fire and demolished by the City in October 2009. Mr. Jordan stated that the Suffolk Historic District Guidelines provide guidance on materials, styles, and designs appropriate to the district throughout the document and that Chapter 7 provides the bulk of guidance in regard to new construction. In this chapter the guidelines states, New infill construction in the district should contribute to and emphasize the characteristics that define the district and ensure that new construction complements and does not distract from the district’s historic character and features and in Section B, Creativity: In order not to stifle creativity, the guidelines are not meant to be overly specific, dictate certain designs, or encourage the copying or mimicking of particular historic style(s). Mr. Jordan stated that the applicant’s application was analyzed according to the specific elements associated with the new infill construction which should be taken into account to ensure consistency and compatibility, as outlined in the Design Guidelines. 2 The 2002 West End Expansion identified the residential style found in the immediate vicinity of 121 St. James Avenue to be primarily Colonial Revival and Queen Anne. Mr. Jordan stated that the proposed infill development does further the intent of the Historic Conservation Overlay District, as expressed in the Unified Development Ordinance. Of particular noteworthiness the proposed dwelling maintains architectural compatibility through the use of appropriate general design geometry and proportions, structural arrangement, building materials, texture and color. By incorporating these elements, the structure will be harmonious with historic buildings within the district. According to the Unified Development Ordinance, the application of the criteria for new construction as outlined in the Suffolk Historic District Guidelines must also be taken into account. As with the UDO, the proposed infill development was found to be consistent with and furthers those applicable provisions outlined in the Guidelines. Of special attention were the following:  New residential construction should be appropriateness of size, style, details, material and mass for the area in which it is being built.  New construction should be compatibility with the overall character of the Historic District.  In general, new construction should relationship to the context of the landmark historic buildings in the vicinity.  In order not to stifle creativity, the guidelines are not meant to be overly specific, dictate certain designs, or encourage the copying or mimicking of particular historic style(s). Rather, they are intended to allow for architectural freedom and interpretation while ensuring the compatibility of the new structure with its historic surroundings. 3 As stated in Section A, Background, “new infill construction in the Historic Conservation Overlay District should contribute to and emphasize the characteristics that define the district’s uniqueness”. Similarly, in the discussion of Architectural Details found in Section D, General Application, it was stated that most successful new buildings take their clues from historic images and reintroduce and re-interpret these traditional decorative elements within a contemporary context. In terms of specific elements related to new residential construction, the proposed infill construction was overall found to be consistent with the criterion found in Chapter 7, Section E, Residential Guidelines specifically: form, directional expression, height and width, foundation, siding, windows; roof, and porches. Based on the information provided by the applicant, the proposal for a new dwelling construction at 121 St. James Avenue is in keeping with and furthers the historic preservation efforts of the City of Suffolk as recognized in the Unified Development Ordinance and Suffolk Historic Design Guidelines. Therefore, based on the above findings-of-fact, staff recommended approval of the actions and conditions as listed in the staff report. In regard to the request to construct a projecting side loading garage, staff believed that such a feature will distract from the characteristics that define the district’s uniqueness and character, and is therefore inconsistent with the Historic District Guidelines. Accordingly, staff recommended the side-loading garage be denied and the projecting building element be deleted. The public hearing was opened. 4 Speaking in favor of the request was Bryan Meekins. Mr. Meekins disagreed with staff’s recommendation, stating that the garage could not be seen from the street viewing area. There being no more speakers in favor or in opposition, the public hearing was closed. After discussion by the Commission, Commissioner Stone made a motion approving the noted actions as recommended by staff and the approval of the projecting side loading garage as presented by the applicant, seconded by Commissioner Draper and approved by a recorded vote of 8-0. New Business: Enforcement Update Brandy Johnson, (Planning & Community Development) gave an update on the enforcement actions taken by Community Development for the following properties: 301 S. Broad Street – court case continued until June 4, 2015 404 N. Main Street – court case continued until June 4, 2015 208 Pinner Street – property owner fined $1200.00 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21 a.m. 5  HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMISSION Motion: Stone 2nd: Draper TO: Approve Application May 14, 2015 ATTENDANCE HC-2015-11 VOTE: 8-0 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT ABSENT YES NO Boyette, Walter X X Coley, Susan M. X X Draper, Merritt X X Faircloth, John X X Hicks, Randy Hobbs, Oliver X X King, Edward L. X X Stone, Amy X X Turner, Vivian X X THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK THIS PAGE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK