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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 16 2012 minutes approved 11202012APPROVED MEETING MINUTES city of PRESERVATION COMMISSION Evanston Tuesday, October 16, 2012 7:00 p.m. Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 2200 Members Present: Kristen Armstrong -Matz, Suzanne Farrand, Thomas Hagensick, Kris Hartzell, Dian Keehan, Anne McGuire, Garry Shumaker, Scott Utter, and Jack Weiss Members Absent: Andres Lombana, and Amy Riseborough Staff Present: Carlos Ruiz Presiding Member: Garry Shumaker, Chair 1. Declaration of Quorum With a quorum present, Chairman Shumaker called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES of March 20, May 15, August 21, and September 18, 2012 3. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Survey Sub -Committee - Phase II Update 4. STAFF REPORTS A. Discussion on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings This item was discussed later in the meeting, at which time Carlos Ruiz said he had set up a meeting with Patrice Frey, Director for Sustainability with the National Trust for Historic Preservation on October 19, which was tentatively rescheduled to October 26, 2012. G. Shumaker asked that Catherine Hurley, Sustainability Coordinator be invited to the meeting. Anne McGuire, Kris Hartzell and Scott Utter requested to be part of the meeting as well. G. Shumaker suggested completing the case study for window restoration prepared by Matt Marchione. Page 1 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. 1400 Wesley Avenue (L) — Existing installed vinyl windows be replaced with Marvin wood replacement windows, with the simulated divided light pattern as shown on the elevations. Also, replace the existing original wood window on the north elevation 2nd floor with a Marvin replacement window as well. In addition to this, the submitted drawings show the original stairs to the second floor porch as they existed in 1977 [Alteration]. This application was removed from the agenda to conduct administrative review and approval. B. 1841 Sheridan Road (Landmark lot of record) — New Northwestern University Visitor Center plus 435 space parking garage [Construction] On October 16, 2012 Bonnie Humphrey, Director of Design of Construction of Northwestern University presented to the Preservation Commission illustrations of various buildings on campus with their respective heights and exterior materials. They also displayed an elevation drawing looking east showing buildings along Sheridan Road from Lincoln Street at the north end to Sheridan Road at the south end of campus. Also, an elevation drawing looking north showing buildings along Sheridan Road, and including Fisk Hall and the Visitor Center and parking garage. From the University's perspective the proposed new building is visually related to all these buildings because they are part of the landmark lot of record. Bonnie Humphrey described the development of the campus over time citing landmark buildings such as Harris Hall, University Hall and Fisk Hall and the architects that were involved developing the campus: James Gamble Rogers, Holabird & Root, Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Loebl, Schlossman, Dart & Hackl. Also, Northwestern University cited recent buildings such as the new Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center, the Block Museum, and the Music & Communications building currently under construction. At the end of the presentation Bonnie Humphrey said: "In conclusion, the Northwestern University campus is an ensemble of buildings created throughout the 160 year history to reflect the age in which they were created." Northwestern University also responded to comments from citizens opposed to the construction of the Visitor Center and parking garage. In all cases Northwestern University disagreed with the citizens' unfavorable comments. Then Bonnie Humphrey cited all 17 standards for review of construction: 1. Height; 2. Proportion of front fagade; 3. Proportion of openings; 4. Rhythm of solids to voids Page 2 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED in front facades; 5. Rhythm of spacing and structures on streets; 6. Rhythm of entrance porches, storefront recesses and other projections; 7. Relationship of materials and texture; 8. Roof shapes; 9. Walls of continuity; 10. Scale of a structure; 11. Directional expression of front elevation; 12. Original qualities; 13. Archaeological resources (not applicable); 14 Contemporary design; 15. New additions (project not an addition); 16. New construction; and 17. Signs (no signs at this time). A response followed each standard concluding that the Visitor Center and parking garage met the respective standard for a Certificate of Appropriateness as applicable (see attachment). In closing Bonnie Humphrey said; "We firmly believe that the Visitor's Center project as proposed to the Preservation Commission satisfies all of the standards for a Certificate of Appropriateness, and is consistent with the fabric of the campus, and existing relationships between Iandmarked buildings and other buildings." Citizens Comments: Paul Janicki, architect disagreed with the University's position that the Visitor Center and parking garage is visually related to the entire landmark lot of record. He said that the new structure is visually related to Fisk Hall. He also believes that the proposed building does not meet standards for review of construction. Judy Pollock of the Audubon Chicago Region said there will be a loss for birds with the loss of woods, one of the last few contiguous places of woodland on the lake front. In that native dune vegetation, there is one endangered plant and one threatened plant. However, she appreciated Northwestern University's effort to make the building bird friendly and for finding places to put substitute habitat. Preservation Commission's Findings: Commissioner Kris Hartzell respectfully disagreed with Northwestern University's interpretation of what is visually related to the Visitor Center and parking garage (campus wide as opposed to what is there). In regard to the vegetation, there are no weeds, but they are indigenous plants to this region. The garage will be used for evening events and light from the fixtures will be visible. The Visitor Center and parking garage blocks visually because it is south of Fisk Hall and east of Sheridan Road. Being visually compatible to some of the other buildings, but the Ordinance includes public ways, sites and places in addition to structures, and that puts the building in a public way, on a very important site and place. She disagreed that the site is not historic. The beach is a very historic part of the character of Evanston. K. Hartzell said the Commission is not making any requirements as to the particular design of the structure. Her objection was the location, the nature and use of the Page 3 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED building, and not the design of it. She concluded that the building is not compatible to the site, public way, and place. Commissioner Dian Keehan said the junction of the City of Evanston, Northwestern University and Lake Michigan, is a precious spot in the City of Evanston. What bothered her was that the open parking garage area is going to be seen from what it is the public way, being the lake front, the beach. She said the Sasaki Plan called for 60 ft. high academic corner which wrapped a parking garage. She wondered what happen to that plan. Bonnie Humphrey said the Sasaki framework plan identifies areas for growth of the campus in which open space is preserved; a balance of open space and buildings. They worked hard to make the building not look like a garage. Commissioner Jack Weiss was concerned about the scale of the building, the lack of setback and the way it presents itself to the Evanston Community. He suggested as before moving the structure to the north. He said, "I understand that you want to move parking to the edges of campus for a more pedestrian friendly campus. That would create a balance between green space and buildings". Commissioner Gary Shumaker said the fire lane on the Evanston public property which takes beach, and takes from bird habitats and landscaping, it is an issue because that is Lakeshore Historic District and under the purview of the Commission. Because the Visitor Center is not within a historic district it being evaluated based on the visual context to which it is immediately adjacent or visually adjacent which includes Fisk Hall and to some degree includes a number of the modern structures. Garry Shumaker noted that the Commission had stated that they agreed with the pallet chosen for the building; the colors, the glass, the fritted glass, the limestone. The Commission is not asking to replicate a historic building or put a red brick building next to Fisk Hall. However, the rhythm of the fagade, the proportion of glass to stone immediately adjacent to Fisk Hall are valid question. The proposed building is predominantly glass on the fagade; Fisk Hall is not, thus not compatible. He also took issue with the scale of the building, which it is at least 2 stories to the top of the equipment penthouse above the cornice or eave line of Fisk Hall to which it is immediately adjacent. The top parapet of the parking deck, which is the seventh level is still significantly higher to the building to which is immediately adjacent to (Fisk Hall). The Commission had discussed previously as issues of concern were the height and the location of the building, relative to the sidewalk and the street wall. This building it does not align with the other buildings, it clearly is pulled forward. The Page 4 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED Commission suggested shortening and pulling back the building. The Commission would have supported a zoning variance to lower and shorten the building. The Commission considered standards for review of construction 1-14 and 16 as applicable. It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to deny the Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction of the Visitor Center and parking garage as the application does not meet standards for review of construction 1-14. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 2 abstentions. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. 725 Noyes Street (NEHD) - Build storage shed addition on the east side yard and landscape backyard. Requires minor zoning variance for building lot coverage from 33.6% to 35.8%. Maximum allowed building lot coverage is 30% [Construction/Zoning Variance]. Dan Abraham, owner, presented the proposed shed addition for storage on the east side of the house, which requires a minor zoning variation for lot coverage from 33.6% to 35.8%. The exterior finish is siding to match that of the house. S. Utter noted he would prefer the storage shed be located in the back of the house. The Commission discussed the cladding and fenestration of the proposed shed and how the roof of the shed touches the window(s) above it. It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (T. Hagensick) to approve the COA for alteration at 725 Noyes in that standards for review of alteration 1-5 and 8-10 apply subject to the submittal and approval of elevation details of the finishes for the shed. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (J. Weiss) to recommend a minor zoning variance to exceed the maximum lot coverage of 30% in that it meets standards for variation A and C. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. B. 724 Michigan Avenue (LSHD) - Remove the existing covered back porch (rear west side) and replace with new covered 3 season porch (approximately 13' x 18'). The proposed porch would be approximately 64 square feet larger than the existing [Construction/Demolition]. Mike Venechuk, architect, presented the proposed the removal of the existing rear porch with a flat roof and replace it with a new porch with a pitched roof and matching the details of the front porch (newel post, tongue and groove floor, wood screens and moldings). Also, remove the aluminum siding on two exterior walls of the house and replace with 4" painted wood siding. The aluminum clad windows will be replaced to math the existing. Page 5 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED It was motioned (A. McGuire) and seconded (Kris Hartzell) to approve COA for construction for the new rear porch at 724 Michigan in those standards for review of construction 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, and 12-15 apply and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. It was motioned (Anne McGuire) and seconded (Kris Hartzell) to approve the COA for the demolition of the existing rear porch at 724 Michigan in that standards of demolition 1-5 apply and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. C. 1026 Forest Avenue (LSHD) — Remove existing aluminum and wood siding. Replace existing 3" exposure with 4" exposure hardie board siding. Match existing wood siding details with hardie trim details. New corner boards, band board, casing, frieze and crown. Remove existing single pane wood windows and aluminum storms. Replace 17 double hung windows "wood" with "Marvin" aluminum clad wood replacement insert units. Replace 5 existing windows with "Marvin" full replacements. Match existing details as similar as possible [Alteration]. Judy and Mark Kemp, owners and Mark Anderson, contractor, presented the proposed exterior alterations as described above. J. Kemp said the reasons for the proposed work are: aesthetics, energy efficiency and easy maintenance. M. Anderson said they will replace the existing aluminum siding with hardi board and the windows with Marvin aluminum clad windows. Also, the project calls for 4" corner boards, 4" widow and door casings, 8" trim board around the bottom and an 8" or 12" freeze board, and bringing back the gable ends. Also retain the southeast dormer column detail, and front door detail. Mark Anderson said they will replace 22 windows out of 43 existing windows with aluminum clad Marvin windows (17 Marvin double windows). The Commission asked the applicants to pick a window pattern and show them on revised elevations for each fagade, noting that Prairie style windows may not be appropriate for a Colonial Revival retrofit, and look at each trim condition as well. The Commission does not generally agree with insert windows, but given the trim conditions on the inside and the randomness of the windows, insert windows makes sense. In this instance consistency seems relevant. It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (D. Keehan) to table the application until the November meeting. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. D. 508 Lee Street #1 E (L) — Replace 2 existing non -original double hung wood windows with 2 new double hung Andersen wood windows [Alteration]. Page 6 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED The applicant was not present at the meeting. E. 2103 Orrington Avenue (NEHD) - Demolish existing 3-car garage and construct a new 2-car garage and parking pad adjacent to it. [Construction/Demolition]. Niko Matouschek, owner, presented the proposed demolition of the existing non - original 2-car garage and the construction of a new 2-car garage and parking pad. The existing garage is not structurally sound. The new 2-car garage matches the gable roof of the house and the siding exposure is 3" L. P. Smartside; matching the exposure of that on the house and matching the trim of windows and doors. The new garage has aluminum corner boards. The Commission recommended the following optional revisions for the new garage: 3" profile siding; window to eave board; eliminate corner boards and provide mitered corners, and roof shingles to match that of house in color and texture. It was motioned (T. Hagensick) and seconded (S. Utter) to approve the COA for the construction of the new 2-car garage at 2103 Orrington in that standards of construction 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 16 are applicable and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. It was motioned (S. Utter) and seconded (D. Keehan) to approve the COA for demolition of the existing garage at 2103 Orrington in that standards of demolition 1-5 are applicable and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. F. 1229 Judson Avenue (LSHD) - Remove existing enclosed rear porch. Remove the existing 2nd floor roof deck over enclosed porch. Construct one-story addition, covered wood porch and stair. Construct 2-story addition and replace double hung wood window on east rear elevation and double hung wood window on south side elevation with wood aluminum clad windows SDL. Install new wood door and wood storm screen. Requires minor zoning variance for the north side yard setback. Required setback = 5'; proposed setback = 3.34' [Alteration/Construction/Demolition/Zoning Variance]. Ben & Carolyn Myszkowski, owners and David Roberts, architect presented the proposed removal of the existing enclosed rear porch and the construction of a 1- story addition with a covered porch and stair, and the construction of a 2-story addition on the east elevation; replace 1 double hung bedroom window on the east rear elevation, and 1 double hung bedroom window on the south side elevation. The project requires a minor zoning variance for the proposed 3.34' setback on the north side yard; required setback = 5'. It was motioned (K. Armstrong -Matz) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to approve the COA for the construction of the 1-story and 2-story additions at 1229 Judson as Page 7 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED standards of construction 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13-15 are applicable and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. It was motioned (K. Armstrong -Matz) and seconded (S. Farrand) to approve the COA for the demolition of the rear porch at 1229 Judson in that standard of demolition 1-5 apply and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. It was motioned (K. Armstrong -Matz) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to recommend approval of the proposed side yard setback of 3.34' for the proposed additions at 1229 Judson, as standards of special use and variations A and C are applicable and have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. G. 1622 Forest Place (L/LSHD) - New elevator bay on north elevation, new accessible ramp and modification of balustrade on east elevation, removal of 2 dormer windows, removal of 1960s addition on west elevation, new pilasters and removal of stair on west elevation, new terrace on southwest corner, new land depression and basement window and doors on south elevation, new doors and windows on west and north elevation, removal of windows on north elevation, six -car new coach house in place of existing coach house on alley, addition of wood trim on second story of house. Paul Janicki, architect with Chris Perry, structural engineer, presented the proposed addition of an elevator bay on the north elevation, the construction of an accessible walk; a new southwest corner terrace; new landscape depression, new basement window and doors on south elevation, new doors and windows on the west and north elevations, and. the removal of windows on the north elevation. P. Janicki also proposed the construction of a new 6-car garage/coach house with a porte-cochere, and the demolition of the existing 3-car garage/coach house. Chris Perry said the existing garage foundation is deteriorated, and the haphazard framing is undersized. K. Armstrong -Matz was concerned with the proposed demolition of the existing garage/coach house; she questioned if the existing garage/coach house was beyond repair. The Commission took a straw poll for the demolition of the garage/coach house. Straw poll: 2 ayes, 7 nays. The Commission indicated that more research needs to be done by Commission members. If the Commission finds out that the garage/coach house is historic and worth saving, the Commission would probably ask the architect to come up with a scheme that would salvage the garage/coach house and modify it in some way. It was motioned (S. Utter) and seconded (D. Keehan) to issue a COA for alterations of the main house at 1622 Forest Place, provided that the west dormers are made symmetrical to include two French doors on the basis that standards of alteration 1-10 have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. Page 8 of 9 Preservation Commission APPROVED 7. COMMUNICATIONS A. Memo from Michele Masoncup, Assistant City Attorney II regarding Mandatory Open Meetings Act Training Commissioners agreed to take and submit to Carlos Ruiz the Mandatory Open Meetings Act Training by December 31, 2012. B. Email from Lisa DiChiera of Landmarks Illinois asking municipalities and preservation commissions support of the Chicago Landmarks Ordinance which in being challenged in Hanna v. City of Chicago I was motioned (A. McGuire) and seconded (K. Hartzell) that the Commission supports this request and recommends City Council consider supporting the request as well. The motion passed. Vote: 9 ayes, 0 nays. 8. ADJOURNMENT It was motioned and seconded to adjourn the meeting. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved at 11:20. p.m., October 16, 2012. Respectfully Submitted, Carlos D. Ruiz Senior Planner/Preservation Coordinator, Community and Economic Development, Planning and Zoning Division Page 9 of 9 Preservation Commission