Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review met on September 16, 2020, under the presiding leadership of Jim Gilder. The board considered 12 agenda items, took 12 motions and votes, and heard 4 public comments during the meeting.

The board approved nine items, including solar panel installation at 416 Fayette Park, deck and landscaping construction at 159 Forest Avenue, and rear addition renovation at 478 West Second Street. Additional approvals included demolition and carport construction at 134 Barberry Lane, garage demolition and reconstruction at 324 South Mill Street, garage construction at 282 Clay Avenue, and renovation and rear addition construction at 327 South Upper Street. The board also approved the amended 2020 Board of Architectural Review meeting schedule and the minutes from the August 19, 2020 meeting.

One application was denied: a request to paint a structure at 210 Bell Court. Two items were deferred for further consideration: demolition of a historic garage and construction of an accessory structure at 336 Hampton Court, and replacement of a stoop with a full-width porch at 151 Penmoken Park.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on September 16, 2020:

• Jim Gilder
• Tracy Whitley
• Ms. Hill
• Ms. Erwin
• Mr. Goff
• Mr. Giffman
• Ms. Kerr
• Ms. Irwin
• Mr. Gilpin
• Mr. Book
• Mr. Coon
• Mr. Vogt
• Mr. McIntosh
• Mr. DeWitt
• Mr. Dohar
• Mr. Elder
• Mr. Hilliard
• Mr. Clunn
• Mr. Kuhn
• Mr. Bolton
• Mr. Dickinson
• Mr. Vance
• Barry Dennis
• Amelia Armstrong

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The board took the following actions during the September 16, 2020 meeting:

Certificates of Appropriateness Approved

The board approved Certificates of Appropriateness for seven properties, all by voice vote:

• 416 Fayette Park 2:54 — Approved with two standard conditions requiring staff/board review of any changes before work begins and resubmission of any changes altering submitted information.

• 159 Forest Avenue 5:42 — Approved with two standard conditions. One abstention was recorded.

• 478 West Second Street 8:20 — Approved with two standard conditions.

• 134 Barberry Lane 11:06 — Approved with two standard conditions.

• 324 South Mill Street 13:37 — Approved with two standard conditions.

• 282 Clay Avenue 16:00 — Approved with two standard conditions.

• 327 South Upper Street 23:39 — Approved with modified conditions including brick color compatibility with historic structures, increased rear column size to 10 inches, wood or metal top rail for railing, alignment of first floor door and second floor window on the north end of rear elevation, and the two standard conditions.

Certificate of Appropriateness Disapproved

• 210 Bell Court 42:08 — Disapproved by voice vote. One abstention was recorded.

Continuations

• 336 Hampton Court 1:39:31 — Proceedings continued to November 18, 2020. The applicant must submit new design drawings and additional evidence justifying demolition by that date.

• 151 Penmoken Park 2:00:33 — Proceedings continued to November 18, 2020. The applicant must submit revised plans by that date.

Administrative Approvals

• 2020 BOAR Meeting Schedule 2:03:20 — Amended schedule for October, November, and December approved by voice vote.

• August 19, 2020 Minutes 2:05:09 — Approved by voice vote.

Public Comment

Four members of the public provided comments on various matters before the board.

Support for 416 Fayette Park Project

Tracy Whitley, a directly abutting neighbor, spoke in support of the 416 Fayette Park project 1:51. Whitley praised the applicants as excellent neighbors who preserve history and do excellent work.

Brick Fissures at 210 Bell Court

Mr. Hilliard raised concerns about unique brick fissures on the property at 210 Bell Court 26:21. He sought a solution that would maintain the character of Belcourt while addressing both aesthetic and structural concerns related to the fissures.

Structural Issues at 336 Hampton Court

Mr. Coon addressed structural concerns with a garage at 336 Hampton Court 1:06:42. He argued that the garage has lost structural integrity due to a bowed back wall, CMU use, and improper construction methods. Coon stated that repair of the structure would be financially unreasonable.

Contractor Issues and Accessibility Needs

Mr. Vogt shared frustration regarding a contractor who took his deposit but failed to submit porch plans, leaving him unable to complete his project 1:54:59. Vogt emphasized the need for an accessible ramp to accommodate his wife, who has multiple sclerosis (MS).

Contested Items

336 Hampton Court: Demolition and new structure

The board engaged in a lengthy and contentious discussion regarding the proposed demolition of a historic garage and construction of a new structure. The central disagreement centered on structural integrity and historical authenticity. Conflicting expert opinions were presented to the board regarding whether the garage should be demolished. After extensive debate, the board decided to continue the case to allow the applicant to submit revised plans addressing the board's concerns.

151 Penmoken Park: Front porch design

The board debated the appropriateness of a proposed full-width porch design for this property. Concerns were raised about the scale of the porch and the materials proposed for its construction. The applicant expressed frustration during the discussion, citing issues with their contractor and emphasizing the need for accessibility features in the design. Due to these unresolved concerns, the board voted to continue the case, allowing time for the applicant to revise the porch design proposal.

416 Fayette Park: Install solar panels

2:54

An application to install solar panels at 416 Fayette Park was presented for approval as a certificate of appropriateness matter.

The applicant was not present at the meeting. Staff recommended approval of the application, which was supported by the discussion participants Jim Gilder and Tracy Whitley.

The application was approved with two standard conditions attached to the decision.

159 Forest Avenue: Construct deck and landscaping

5:42

An application to construct a deck and landscaping at 159 Forest Avenue was presented for consideration as a certificate of appropriateness matter.

The applicant was present during the discussion. Key speakers included Jim Gilder, Mr. Goff, and Ms. Hill.

The application was approved. Two standard conditions were imposed on the approval, which the applicant agreed to accept.

478 West Second Street: Renovate rear addition

8:20

An application to renovate the rear addition at 478 West Second Street was presented for a certificate of appropriateness. The applicant was present during the discussion.

Key speakers included Jim Gilder, Mr. Goff, and Ms. Erwin.

The application was approved with two standard conditions. The applicant agreed to both conditions as presented.

134 Barberry Lane: Demolish garage and construct carport

The application to demolish a garage and construct a carport at 134 Barberry Lane was presented as a certificate of appropriateness request 11:06.

Jim Gilder and Mr. Goff were the key speakers on this agenda item. The applicant was present during the discussion.

The application was approved with two standard conditions. The applicant agreed to the conditions presented by the board.

324 South Mill Street: Demolish garage and construct garage

13:37

The board considered an application for a certificate of appropriateness to demolish an existing garage and construct a new garage at 324 South Mill Street.

Speakers and Presentation

Jim Gilder and Mr. Goff were the key speakers on this agenda item. The applicant was present during the discussion.

Outcome

The application was approved. The approval included two standard conditions, which the applicant agreed to accept.

282 Clay Avenue: Construct garage

The application to construct a garage at 282 Clay Avenue was presented as a certificate of appropriateness request. 16:00

Key speakers on this item included Jim Gilder and Mr. Goff.

The application was approved with two standard conditions. The applicant was present during the discussion and agreed to accept the conditions as presented.

327 South Upper Street: Renovate CMU addition and construct rear addition

Outcome: Approved with modifications

The application for a certificate of appropriateness to renovate a CMU (concrete masonry unit) addition and construct a rear addition at 327 South Upper Street was approved with modified conditions 23:39.

Key Participants

The discussion involved Jim Gilder, Mr. Giffman, and Ms. Kerr.

Modifications Required

The approval included the following conditions:

• Brick color change
• Column size increase
• Railing change
• Alignment adjustments

These modifications were incorporated into the final approval of the project.

210 Bell Court: Paint structure

42:08

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness application to paint the structure at 210 Bell Court. Staff recommended denial of the application based on historic preservation guidelines that prohibit the painting of historic masonry.

The applicant was present during the discussion and raised concerns about fissures visible on the structure. However, staff confirmed that these fissures were not structurally significant.

Key speakers in the discussion included Jim Gilder, Ms. Armstrong, Mr. Hilliard, Ms. Hill, and Ms. Irwin.

Outcome: The application was denied.

336 Hampton Court: Demolish historic garage and construct accessory structure

1:39:31

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness application to demolish a historic garage and construct a new accessory structure at 336 Hampton Court.

Key Participants

The discussion involved board members Jim Gilder, Ms. Armstrong, Mr. Book, Mr. Coon, Ms. Hill, Ms. Irwin, and Mr. Gilpin.

Outcome

The application was not approved. The board voted to continue the proceeding to November 18, 2020, to allow the applicant to submit revised plans and provide additional evidence for consideration.

151 Penmoken Park: Replace stoop with full width porch

2:00:33

The board considered an application for a certificate of appropriateness to replace a stoop with a full-width porch at 151 Penmoken Park.

Key Participants

The discussion involved Jim Gilder, Ms. Armstrong, Mr. Vogt, Ms. Hill, and Mr. Gilpin.

Outcome

The application was not approved at this meeting. The board voted to continue the proceeding to November 18, 2020, to allow the applicant to submit revised plans for further consideration.

Amended 2020 BOAR meeting schedule

2:03:20

The board considered an amended meeting schedule for the Board of Architectural Review (BOAR) covering the final three months of 2020. The proposed schedule called for one meeting per month to be held on the third Wednesday of each month during October, November, and December.

Key speakers on this item included Jim Gilder and Mr. Goff.

The board approved the amended 2020 BOAR meeting schedule as presented.

Approval of minutes from August 19, 2020

2:05:09

The board reviewed and approved the minutes from the August 19, 2020 meeting. Jim Gilder, Mr. Goff, and Mr. Dickinson participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The minutes were approved with minor corrections to be incorporated based on feedback received from board members. No significant concerns or objections were raised during the review process.