Brian Minker for Burro Holdings, LLC, 108 West Broad Street. Site: 108 West Broad Street; Block 29, Lot 11

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1 City of Burlington Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes: February 1, 2017 The City of Burlington Historic Preservation Commission held its regular monthly meeting and its annual reorganization meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Complex, 525 High Street, Burlington, NJ. 1. Introduction: Chairman Van Sciver opened the meeting with an introduction to the procedures of the Historic Preservation Commission. Secretary Crivaro conducted the Roll Call. 2. Roll call vote: Present: Chairman Chancellor Van Sciver, Vice Chair William Buehrig, Commissioners Elizabeth Baird, Frank Caruso, John Krimmel, Emma Jean Morgan, Milton Smith and William Stewart were present (8). All Commissioners were present. Commissioner Hatch, the Historic Preservation Consultant, was also present. 3. Consideration of Minutes: The two sets of minutes for January 2017 were reviewed (the reorganization meeting and the regular meeting). Vice Chairman Buehrig noted that several of the Commissioner titles were incorrect in the reorganization minutes). Commissioner Baird made a motion to accept the minutes with the titles corrected; Commissioner Stewart seconded. The vote was 8-0 in favor of accepting the minutes as corrected. 4. Applications: HPC Application : Applicant/ Owner: Paint the exterior; add shutters and landscaping. Brian Minker for Burro Holdings, LLC, 108 West Broad Street Site: 108 West Broad Street; Block 29, Lot 11 Non-Contributing, Municipal Historic District 108 West Broad Street is a one story, two bay, hipped roof, stucco addition to a much older (although much altered) structure. Likely built in the 1950 s when the house was converted into offices, this particular structure is very simple with few distinguishing features. b. Documents Submitted: An application with a description of the proposed work; photographs of the house; a photograph showing the proposed changes; a cut sheet of the proposed shutters; and a tax map were submitted around December 29,

2 c. Scope of work proposed by applicant: The applicant proposes to paint the exterior of the building to match 102 West Broad Street, to add decorative shutters and to add some landscaping. Mr. Minker was sworn in; he indicated that he recently purchased this property, along with 102 West Broad, that he wants the two structures to match visually as much as possible, that he wants to add shutters and some plantings, and replace some damaged concrete sidewalk to match the existing. The main color for the body of the building would be buff to match the adjacent, historic building, with white trim. Commissioner Caruso noted that the proposed work would be a great improvement. Commissioner Smith asked that the applicant make sure that the new shutters be custom sized to match the existing window sizes. The applicant agreed. Chairman Van Sciver asked if there was any public comment. Hearing none, he asked for a decision from the Commission. e. Commission Decision Vice Chairman Buehrig made a motion to accept the application as presented, with the note that the new shutters should match the size of the existing windows. Commissioner Morgan seconded. Vote: 8-0, all in favor. The Commission believes that the proposed work will have a positive impact on the historic character of the building and the Historic District. HPC Application : Applicant/ Owner: Construction of new house on two vacant lots. Guy Fowler, Owner; and Patrick Decker, Builder from Mount Laurel Site: St. Mary Street; Block 129, Lots 6 & 7. Non-Contributing, Municipal Historic District (this is a vacant lot due to a fire that destroyed the contributing structures that had been located here) St. Mary Street is currently a vacant lot. The houses located on these and the adjacent lots were destroyed in a recent fire. The houses had been mid-19th century, three story brick rowhouses. 2

3 b. Documents Submitted: An application with three-dimensional renderings of the proposed house was submitted around December 28, c. Scope of work proposed by applicant: The owner proposes to construct a new, free-standing house on two of the vacant lots. As described and illustrated, this house will be three stories with a hipped roof, will have a stucco or vinyl siding exterior, a central door with sidelights, a front porch that spans the width of the house and a second floor deck at the rear of the house. The front windows and doors are proposed to be wood. Chairman Van Sciver recused himself as he lives within 200 feet of the site. Mr. Buehrig acted as the temporary chair. Guy Fowler, the owner of the property, and Patrick Decker, the proposed builder of the new structure, were sworn in. Mr. Fowler explained that four existing houses burned down (including his own), that he has purchased the two middle lots and proposes to build a new house, with the front porch at the front property line. He is looking for approval for his plans as he needs this in order to get approval from the Land-Use Board. Commissioner Morgan asked if the owner of the corner lot intends to build. Mr. Fowler stated that he is unaware of any plans by the owner of the corner lot to build. He stated that the interior lot had been sold to the adjacent Funeral Home to provide additional access and parking to their property. It was noted that the proposed house is significantly wider than the previous houses on the lot, and larger than what would normally be permitted on this combined lot. Mr. Hatch noted that this larger house is not out of scale with other houses and buildings in the area, as there are a number of similarly sized structures nearby. Commissioner Baird asked if the property is in the flood plain. The applicant stated that it is note. Ms. Baird also noted that the steps to the side entrance may be impinging on the property line and may require a redesign. There was some discussion about the proposed materials (stucco, vinyl siding); the configuration of the windows and porch, etc. Mr. Hatch stated that the Commission would need to have drafted architectural plans with a much higher level of detail in order to give a final approval. The applicant stated that he is very anxious to get approval from the Land Use Board so that he can go ahead with project, as this will be his permanent home. Mr. Hatch suggested that the Commission might consider giving conceptual approval for the overall configuration and scale of the building, but that the applicant would be required to return for final approval of materials and details. This was acceptable to both the applicant and the Commission. Vice Chairman Buehrig asked for public comment; hearing none, he asked for a decision from the Commission. 3

4 e. Commission Decision Commissioner Smith made a motion to give conceptual approval for the overall configuration and scale of the proposed house based on the revised plans provided at the meeting, on the condition that the applicant return for final approval of the exterior materials, exterior details, porch details, windows, exterior doors, side and rear elevations, etc. Commissioner Morgan seconded. Vote: 7-0 in favor, with Chairman Van Sciver recusing himself. The Commission believes that the proposed work will potentially have a positive impact on the character of the Historic District. HPC Application : Applicant/ Owner: Replace storm windows and front door. Steve and Donna Bartos; 14 Bustleton Park, Churchville, PA Site: 101 West Union Street; Block 8, Lot 7. Contributing, Burlington City Historic District, listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places 101 West Union Street is the right hand house in a row of similar three-story brick rowhouses, all built in around They are two bay (except for the first floor, where the front door creates a third bay), side-gabled, Italianate houses with slightly arched, one-overone wood windows and decorative brackets below the overhanging cornice. The stone lintels and sills on 101 West Union Street have been painted, and the house has shutters, as well as storm windows covering the earlier wood windows. The front door, which is covered by an aluminum storm door, is of a relatively contemporary design. It is flush wood with a diamond-shaped glass panel. b. Documents Submitted: An application for the proposed work, including detailed drawings of the proposed wood door, was received around January 12, c. Scope of work proposed by applicant: The applicants propose to replace the front door with a more appropriate paneled wood door that matches the design of the adjacent house. In addition, they intend replace the existing storm windows with new storm windows. Commissioner Krimmel recused himself as he lives within 200 feet of the site. 4

5 As the applicants were not present and had agreed to abide by the decision of the HPC, Chairman Van Sciver reviewed the application and asked for comment. The consensus of the Commission appeared to be in consonance with the recommendations contained in Mr. Hatch s memo, in particular that the proposed removal of the aluminum storm door, the replacement of the contemporary door with a wood door that matches the design of the adjacent houses, and the replacement of the storm windows to match the existing, with the condition that they be painted to match the trim around the windows. Chairman Van Sciver asked for public comment. Commissioner Krimmel spoke as a member of the public, stating that this is the only house in the area that has a storm door, the removal of which will greatly improve the appearance of the house. e. Commission Decision Chairman Van Sciver made a motion to approve the application with the conditions described above. Commissioner Baird seconded. Vote: 7-0 in favor, with Commissioner Krimmel recusing himself. The Commission believes that the proposed work will have a positive impact on the character of the house and of the Historic District. HPC Application : Applicant/ Owner: Replace exterior doors, install a privacy fence, replace aluminum siding with vinyl. Chris Nelson, NJPS Court Builder; 95 Robbinsville Allentown Road, Robbinsville, NJ Site: 100 East Broad Street; Block 38.01, Lot 1 Key Contributing, Burlington Municipal Historic District 100 East Broad Street is an impressive, free-standing Federal-style brick house built in the first half of the 19th century. It is a three-bay, side gabled house, with the front door with fanlight located at the left. The side of the main block of the house is symmetrical, with impressive side chimneys, a small oval window at the attic and paired windows on the first through third floors. The front of the house has two floors of six over six wood windows, and a central dormer at the third floor. The rear of the house appears to have a number of brick and wood framed additions constructed at different times. These are currently covered with aluminum siding. The side of the house is protected by a low brick wall. The existing windows appear to be historic, if not original. The front door is covered with a storm door; the existing wood door appears old, but perhaps not original. 5

6 b. Documents Submitted: An application for the proposed work, including a photograph of the house and cut sheets of the proposed door, fencing and vinyl siding, was received around January 14, c. Scope of work proposed by applicant: The applicant proposes to replace all of the exterior doors with new, six panel doors, to install privacy fencing along the side and to replace the aluminum siding with new vinyl siding. As the applicants were not present and had agreed to abide by the decision of the HPC, Chairman Van Sciver reviewed the application and asked for comment. He noted that the applicants had withdrawn their proposal to replace the exterior doors and to replace exterior siding. In general, the Commission agreed with Mr. Hatch s recommendation to install a hedge along the side brick wall instead of installing a fence adjacent to the wall. Commissioner Morgan noted that there is an area along the side of the house that a hedge cannot be installed as the side wall connects to steps and a side porch. There was some discussion about where the new fencing would go (along the property line at the far side and rear of the house) and that wood fencing would be appropriate, but that it should meet the height of the existing brick wall where it intersects with the fence. Chairman Van Sciver asked for public comment. Hearing none, he asked for a decision from the Commission. e. Commission Decision Commissioner Smith made a motion noting that the proposals to replace the exterior doors and the exterior siding had been withdrawn; rejecting the proposal to install a privacy fence along the street-side of the property adjacent to the existing brick wall (a hedge may be planted along that side instead); approving the installation of the proposed wood fence at the rear and far side of the property; and stating that the rear fence should meet the side brick wall in an appropriate fashion (to be worked out with Mr. Hatch). Commissioner Morgan seconded. Vote: 8-0, all in favor. The Commission believes that the proposed work will have a positive impact on the character of the house and of the Historic District. HPC Application : Applicant: Owner: Install new storefront signage. Jason Ely, ½ Cedar Street, Mount Holly, NJ KAR Properties, Frank Karlinski; 108 Harding Road, Red Bank, NJ 6

7 Site: 239 High Street; Block 118, Lot 27 Contributing, High Street Historic District, State and National Registers of Historic Places 239 High Street is the left half of a pair of former rowhouses that have been modified with storefronts on the ground floor. Made of brick, and now painted with stucco on the side elevation, the storefront at the first floor has been extended out into the street with a shed roof covered with terra cotta tiles. The storefront itself appears to be from the early 20th century. b. Documents Submitted: An application for the proposed work, including a photograph of the building and a sketch of the proposed signage, was received around January 24, c. Scope of work proposed by applicant: The applicant intends to add signage directly to the windows, presumably on the interior. This will be black and white vinyl, with decorative fonts. The applicant, Jason Ely, was sworn in by Chairman Van Sciver. He indicated that the proposed lettering will be gold and black, not white and black as initially proposed. He provided images of the proposed, decorative fonts. Commissioner Caruso asked if the applicant intended to add any additional words or lettering at a future date. The applicant agreed that that is likely. Commissioner Smith asked if the applicant had found a barber s pole? The applicant stated that he s still looking. There was general assent that the proposed lettering is attractive and appropriate. Vice Chairman Buehrig asked if the future lettering would have a similar style? Mr. Ely stated that it would be similar to the font and size of the proposed words Barber Company. Chairman Van Sciver asked for public comment. Hearing none, he asked for a decision from the Commission. e. Commission Decision Commissioner Stewart made a motion to approved the gold and black lettering as described at the meeting, along with the future black lettering. Vice Chairman Buehrig seconded. Vote: 8-0, all in favor. 7

8 The Commission believes that the proposed work will have a positive impact on the character of the house and of the Historic District. 5. Old Business a. Continuing Education: Mr. Hatch will follow up with the NJ Historic Preservation Office to do a presentation on the Secretary of the Interior s Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties and how they are implemented at a national level. Commissioner Morgan stated that this should happen as soon as possible. 6. New Business a. Vice Chair Buehrig noted that there was an article in the Burlington County Times re. restoring brownstone. b. There will be a training for HPC s by the SHPO on March Public Comment: a. NA 8. Correspondence: a. NA 9. Adjournment: a. Commissioner Caruso made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner Baird seconded. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM. Respectfully submitted on February 24, 2017 by John Hatch, FAIA, Consultant to the Burlington City Historic Preservation Commission. 8