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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 15 2012 EPC Minutes ApproveFA99:101740] MEETING MINUTES �c�ryof PRESERVATION COMMISSSION Evanston Tuesday, May 15, 2012 7 p.m. Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 2200 Members Present: Kristen Armstrong -Matz, Suzanne Farrand, Kris Hartzell, Dian Keehan, Anne McGuire Garry Shumaker, and Jack Weiss Members Absent: Thomas Hagensick, Andres Lombana, Amy Riseborough and Scott Utter Staff Present: Carlos Ruiz Presiding Member: Garry Shumaker Declaration of Quorum With a quorum present, Chair G. Shumaker called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES of February 21, March 20, and April 17, 2012 No minutes were approved COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Survey Sub -Committee - Phase II Update The Survey Sub -Committee met with Mark Varner, GIS specialist on April 26. M. Varner demonstrated how the survey data and photos will work on the City' website. Carlos Ruiz completed the COA information on Sheridan Road and Lake Shore Blvd. 6'1IF_1;1AN4a*]:4161 A. 2012 Preservation and Design Awards — Update Staff continues accepting applications for the 2012 Preservation Awards. Jurors still need to be selected. B. Upcoming meeting with the Rules Committee, June 4, 2012 The Preservation Commission will make a presentation about its 2 year goals and objectives in front of the City Council Rules Committee scheduled on June 4, 2012. Page 1 of 7 Preservation Commission APPROVED UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. 2100 Ridge Avenue (Pending Landmark Designation) — Construct ADA compliant entrance on east fagade. [Construction] Stefanie Levine, Assistant Superintendent, Parks, Recreation and Community Services said the entrance on the east fagade (south end of the building) will be converted into a stair landing and accessible ramp. The material on the walls is stone to match the existing. The location of the ramp is intended to protect an existing tree from harm. Plantings could be added to minimize the appearance of the curb. It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to grant a COA for construction of the ramp at 2100 Ridge Avenue because meets standards for review of construction 1, 2, 4-7, 9-15 and 17. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 abstention. G. Shumaker said the Commission is recommending City Council the approval of the ramp. B. 2100 Avenue (Pending Landmark Designation) — Replace parking lot lighting. [Alteration] Stefanie Levine said at the March 20, 2012 meeting the Commission suggested installing Tallmadge lights near the building and the use of dark sky lights in the parking lot. The Tallmadge lights are being used on the linear sections near the building and the contemporary parking lights are on the squared parking areas. It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to recommend a COA for alteration at 2100 Ridge Avenue (the Civic Center) to replace the parking lighting as discussed in that it meets standards for review of alteration 1-6, 8, 9 and 10. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 abstention. C. 614 Clark Street (L) - Rebuild a 3-story rear porch and stairs. Enclose stairway and finish it with exterior siding. Replace the existing decorative columns on the 3rd floor with classic style columns. Rebuild the 1st & 2nd floor piers; restore cornice. [Construction/Demolition] Nathan Kipnis, architect and Arthur Brown, owner presented the project. N. Kipnis said the revised plans include the four columns, all articulated and the enclosure which is setback 4". There are six windows, the head aligns with the top of the screen horizontal line and the bottom of the window has a band that aligns with the top of the railing. The cement fiber board cladding is battened into a grid of four; that mimics the proportions of either the east or west face. At the top of the piers are columns of the same type as the ones articulated at the far corners (square columns trimmed and the base and top). Also, the third floor banding returns into the cladding. Nathan Kipnis noted one thing that changed on the upper transom is that it was raised to make the middle screens all the same to align with the windows. The windows are Page 2 of 7 Preservation Commission APPROVED casements. The Commission suggested a two panel door instead of the three panel door. It was motioned (K. Hartzell) and seconded (S. Farrand) to approved a COA for the new porch structure at 614 Clark Street in that it meets 1, 2, 5-8,10 and 12-15 with a simpler door. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to issue the COA for demolition at 614 Clark Street because standards for review of demolition 1-5 are met. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. NEW BUSINESS A. Introductory meeting with Paul Ivers and Christopher Lester of D. R. Horton, Inc., contract purchaser, of the former Kendall College property on the 2200 block of Orrington Avenue. Carlos Ruiz said Paul Ivers had contacted him to reschedule their appearance in front of the Preservation Commission on June 19, 2012. B. 2319 Asbury (L) — Replacement of three double hung wood windows on the first floor kitchen (one facing west (front elevation) and two facing south. New windows are all wood windows with 6/1 SDL pattern to match the light pattern of the existing windows. [Alteration] Elizabeth Gobbi, owner presented the project. Carlos Ruiz distributed photos of the existing three windows showing the condition of the windows. Two windows are on the south and one on the west elevation, all in one space. Ms. Gobbi said over the last 7 months she has restored 6 windows. The windows on the stairwell have been restored. Six windows were replaced in 2005 and the porch windows were replaced in 2007. Garry Shumaker noted that the installation of window replacements includes the addition of panning to cover the old window frame when the new is installed. The application showed new window applications. It was motioned (A. McGuire) and seconded (D. Keehan) to approve the replacement of three double hung wood windows at 2319 Asbury as standards for alterations 1-7 and 9-10 apply and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay. C. 2400 Park Place — Construction of a detached 2-car frame garage [Construction] Nancy Shreenan, owner presented the project. N. Shreenan showed photos of the former 1950s garage that had a fire. She said the pitch of the roof on the new garage reflects the house gable roof with a 7/12 pitch. She explained that one door on the west is on the middle and the other door is closer to the house. The new garage is the same size as the former garage. The north elevation design is not defined, however it faces Page 3 of 7 Preservation Commission APPROVED the house. The garage is proposed at the rear of the lot on a new slab and on the same location as the former garage. The exterior material is LP smart siding with 4 inch reveal. The exterior finish matches the finish on the house. The trim around doors and windows will match the trim on the house. It was motioned (K. Hartzell) and seconded (J. Weiss) to approve the COA for the garage at 2400 Park Place in that it complies with standards for review of construction 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 16. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. The Commission informed N. Shreenan that any changes to the drawings presented to the Commission should be submitted to staff for review. Also, the applicant was advised to revise the drawings with the contractor and provide staff a new set of drawings. D. 1710 Wesley Avenue (L/RHD) —Replace four existing double hung wood windows with four new double hung Fibrex windows (two attic dormer windows on the front elevation and two attic windows on the rear elevation). [Alteration] Debra Giordano, owner and Gail Gross with Renewal by Andersen presented the project. D. Giordano said two windows in the attic bedrooms do not open well and are in poor condition and need to be replaced. There are two windows in the front bedroom and two windows in the back bedroom; all located on the third floor in the attic. D. Giordano submitted a contractor's letter about the condition of the windows. D. Giordano said they will install the grid [muntins] on the windows. The house was built in 1894 (S.A. Jennings, architect). Anne McGuire noted if the windows are replaced, the building code will be triggered and then the light, vent and egress will be considered and cost may go higher. G. Shumaker said the windows are serviceable. D. Giordano was concerned with the cost. G. Shumaker said the Commission's purview does not include the cost; their responsibility is for the maintenance of the historic district and the preservation of the landmark. If the result of this is not what D. Giordano wants or cannot afford it, she could appeal the Commission's decision to City Council and explain to them that this is a financial hardship. G. Shumaker said the Commission will discuss the application on the merits of the standards by which the Commission has to review the project. Kristen Armstrong -Matz said the cost of restoration of the windows could be very much comparable to new windows. D. Giordano was concerned with the quality of the window, the function and energy efficiency. Commissioners noted that the front fagade windows are very character given. D. Giordano asked about replacing the two windows in the back. A. McGuire said that a lot less glass will be in the new window compared to the old. For instance, the dimensions show the existing window being 31.5" wide the new is 29 5/8" wide. All of the divided lights are character given, the divided light muntin is 3/4" the proposed is 1 '/4" muntin bar. Page 4 of 7 Preservation Commission APPROVED The Commission strongly recommended to D. Giordano to contacting a restoration contractor. The Commission did not take action. E. 410 Florence Avenue (L) — Install a 3' H x 75' L (linear) picket wood fence on the front yard and set back 12' from the front east property line. Front yard fences are not allowed. Fence variance required. [Construction/Fence Variance] Abear White, owner presented the project. A. White said she is applying for the fence because she would like her two young children play on the front yard. The proposed fence is setback 12' from the front property line and it's behind a tree. The fence requires a fence variation from Zoning because the fence is on the front yard. The fence is 3' high. If the fence was setback further it will draw more attention. K. Hartzell said she would not have a problem with the proposed fence and location. A. White said the proposed fence would align more with the adjacent fence to the south. Abear White said she prefers a wooden fence because it has a soft feeling as opposed to a wrought iron fence. The fence will have a gate on the center. The house was built as the carriage house. The Commission asked A. White for a clearer drawing and alternate, simpler and more transparent fence that would not obstruct the view of the house. Also verify the location of the fence. The Commission asked A. White to come back. The Commission did not take action. F. 618 Emerson Street (L) - Construction of an ADA compliant entry to the building with a 20" grade to floor difference ramp. Raise terrace to 5" to align with entry door on the south elevation. The materials are steel railing, stone on the ramp sides to match the building and brick paved surface ramp. [Construction] Dave Roberts, architect and Andrew McGonigle of Northwestern University presented the project. A. McGonigle on behalf of Delta Gamma said they made enhancements to the initial plans. D. Roberts said the ramp is ADA compliant. The stone terrace will be raised 5". The revised plans increase green space and reduce the impact of the ramp. The ramp is visible from Sheridan and Chicago (University Place is a private street). David Roberts said the material for the terrace is smooth stone with a random pattern. The handrail detail is the same as the existing handrail in black color and 4" of spacing between the vertical components. It was motioned (K. Hartzell) and seconded (J. Weiss) to grant a COA (based on the revised drawings submitted on 5/15/12 ) for the new ADA compliant ramp at the Delta Gamma House in that it meets standards for review of construction 1, 2, 5-7, 9, 10 and 12-15. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay. Page 5 of 7 Preservation Commission APPROVED It was motioned (K. Hartzell) and seconded (J. Weiss) to grant the COA for necessary demolition at 618 Emerson for the construction of the ramp at the Delta Gamma House in that it meets standards for review of demolition 1-5. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay. G. 2510 Ashland Avenue/1615 Lincoln Street (L) - Construction of an ADA compliant entry to the building by expanding the front entrance. A terrace will be added with stone masonry. The front sidewalk will be replaced with a sloping sidewalk that eliminates the two front steps. An automated door opener will be added to open the right hand door. [Construction] Stephanie Buettell of St. Athanasius Church and Barbara Rosborough, landscape architect presented the project. S. Buettell said the sidewalk will be replaced with a ramp sidewalk and the landing outside the front doors will be transformed into a terrace and an automated door opener will be added. B. Rosborough said the steps will be removed. The grade around the terrace will be flushed. There are lights illuminating the church. The walls will be stone to match the church. The urns are about 30" wide and 12" tall. Garry Shumaker noted that the lights operator should not be with surface mounted conduit. It was motioned (A. McGuire) and seconded (K. hartzell) to approve a COA for the construction for a new ADA entrance to the St. Athanasius Church 2510 Ashland Avenue/1615 Lincoln Street in that the standards for construction 1, 2, 5- 7, and 9-15 applied and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. H. 840 Michigan Avenue (LSHD) — Replacement of 30-year old aluminum windows and patio doors (in poor working condition that cannot be repaired) with new vinyl windows and patio doors retrofit. [Alteration] Neal Vogel, consultant, Jim Wilson, contractor, Rob Nelson and Stuart Fox, property manager presented the project. N. Vogel said the existing dimensions sightlines of the vinyl windows and aluminum windows are comparable. The proposed windows are Sunrise vinyl windows. The rails and head of the window are 2 %" for the new and existing windows. The head of many of the windows are lost because the awning that is part of the wall structure. The sightlines are both framed windows and frameless IGUs. The exterior walls are of a very unusual wall construction. Neil Vogel said the existing windows have condensation problems inside, exacerbated by the electric heat in the building, steel Ts in the wall construction and the steel plate cladding (thin and non -insulated walls). The aluminum windows have no thermo brake, contributing to the problems. The proposed windows would add new frames on the IGUs windows and frames in the patio doors. Page 6 of 7 Preservation Commission APPROVED Neil Vogel said the roof top patios have sliding doors, single light horizontal sliders. The existing windows are not repairable in contrast to steel historic wood, steel or bronze. The replacement windows for all framed windows have similar sightlines. The color is consistent with the building color scheme. The wall construction of frameless IGUs and steel cladding has proved to be flawed in the upper Midwest climate. The heat impacts air circulation, comfort and condensation, raising the concern for thermo performance. Substitute materials are allowed by the National Park Service for conditions called for change of material. Vinyl windows were historically available when the building was built. The Commission discussed the proposed vinyl windows and the condition of the existing aluminum windows. Some Commissioners thought the bad condition of the windows will further deteriorate the building itself. It was motioned (K. Hartzell) and seconded (A. McGuire) to grant a COA for the alteration of 840 Michigan in that standards for alteration 1-7, 9 and 10 apply with the qualification that the existing and original structure and windows be document, and a copy of the documentation be given to Carlos Ruiz. Discussion: J. Weiss said standards 2 and 9 are not met. A. McGuire added standard 6 as not being met either. S. Farrand asked if all standards needed to be met in order to obtain approval. The answer was no. But some standards have to be met. D. Keehan said the building is loaded with stylistic features, but one does not want the building to fall apart. The Commission agreed that standards 2, 6 and 9 were not met. K. Hartzell amended her motion to exclude standards 2 and 6 as being met. S. Farrand seconded the amendment. The motion carried. Vote: 4 ayes, 3 nays. COMMUNICATIONS No Communications ADJOURNMENT The meeting was moved and seconded to adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved at 10:32 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Respectfully Submitted, Carlos D. Ruiz Senior Planner/Preservation Coordinator, Community and Economic Development Department — Planning and Zoning Division Page 7 of 7 Preservation Commission