City of Elgin Design Review Subcommittee met March 27.
Here is the minutes provided by the Subcommittee:
The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (Located on the 2nd floor of City Hall) by Chairman Wiedmeyer.
Members Present:
Rebecca Hunter, John Roberson (6:03), Dennis Roxworthy, Scott Savel, and John Wiedmeyer
Members Absent:
Bill Ristow
City Staff Present:
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary
Approval Of Minutes:
Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to approve the minutes of March 13, 2018, as submitted.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter.
The motion passed 4-0.
Recognize Other Persons Present:
None
Properties On Agenda For Discussion:
Old Business:
None
New Business:
466 St Charles St - restoration of front porch; installation of handrails
19 N Geneva St - Installation of new cedar siding
Items Tabled:
None
New Business:
466 St Charles St - restoration of front porch; installation of handrails-
The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the following:
1. Rehabilitation of front, wrap around porch including:
a. Removal of existing flooring and replacement with 1x4 tongue and groove;
b. Replacement of guardrail and adjustments to design to allow for better water runoff (chamfered top and bottom rail, spindles to not be set into bottom rail but on top of it) - Guardrail will match the existing height and will curve around round area of porch as existing.
c. Existing columns will remain but bases will be replaced to match the existing
d. Skirting is to be replaced to match the existing in design
e. Stairs at front porch shall be reconstructed to meet building code and district guidelines
f. Handrails and newel posts will be installed at stairs to abut into existing columns
The above work is being proposed due to heavy deterioration around the entire porch and stairs. The existing handrails at the stairs are inappropriate and will be replaced with a design that meets the guidelines.
Applicant will also be removing the existing half round gutter (beyond repair) and installed new half round gutter around the entire porch. This request has been approved by staff.
To note, between 1913 and 1950, per the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, the wrap around porch was added to the home.
Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications:
Porches-
A.Should be maintained in their original design with original materials and detailing
B.Should be repaired or replaced to match the original in design, materials, scale and placement
C.Should be screened only if the structural framework for the screen panels is minimal and the open appearance of the porch is maintained. Screen panels should be placed behind the original features such as columns or railings and should not hide decorative details or result in the removal of original porch materials.
D.Should have steps of the same material as the porch floor (e.g. porches with wood floors should also have steps made of wood, not concrete or brick)
E.Should have poured concrete steps if the porch, patio or terrace floor is made of concrete (see section on Porch Steps).
F.Should have wood tongue and groove flooring running perpendicular to the façade, if the porch floor is made of wood.
G.Should have trellises made of wood, if trellises are appropriate.
H.Should be filled in as traditional for the type and style of the house or with decorative wood framed skirting, vertical slats, or lattice panels, if open areas in the foundation exist.
I.Should not be removed if original to the dwelling
J.Should not be enclosed with wood, glass, or other materials which would alter the porch's open appearance.
Porch Columns and Railing-
A.Should be preserved and maintained. Where repair is required, use materials to match the original in dimensions and detailing.
B.Should be rebuilt in historic designs if the original columns and railings have been removed or replaced
C.Should have new balusters for the railing, if required. Porch balusters (also called spindles) should be appropriate for the building's style and period. The height of the railing should be in line with the window sill level, if present, and no greater than 30 inches in height.
Porch Staircases and Steps-
A.Should be retained in their original location and configuration, if original to the property. Wood and concrete steps should be repaired with materials to match the original.
B.Should be replaced with wood rather than brick or concrete, if the porch floor is made of wood.
C.Should have their tread constructed in either 5/4x12 or 2x12 lumber. The ends of the treads should be bull-nosed and overhang the riser by no less than 1 inch.
D.Should have newel posts and balusters, treads and risers, to match original porch construction.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the application as submitted with the following recommendations:
1.The handrail shall have a 2x4 top rail with chamfered edges, %" cove or 34" subrail, 2x2 square balusters with sharp edges, with a maximum of 3" on center. That the bottom rail is a 2x4 with chamfered edges, installed 2" above finished floor.
2.The handrail shall match the design of the existing (curved to match the existing)
3.That the stair treads shall 5/4" x 12 (recommended) or 2x12 and bull-nosed on 3 sides and overhang the risers a minimum of 1". Pressure treated wood or composite material is acceptable.
4.That the newel posts are added to the bottom stair tread.
5.That the newel posts shall be 6 inch in diameter, round and match the existing columns with ball cap. They may be out of wood or smooth fiberglass.
6.The deteriorated porch flooring shall be 1x4 tongue and groove and installed perpendicular to the house. The porch floor shall extend past the top rimboard by at least 1 inch. Pressure treated wood or composite material (recommended) is acceptable.
7.The guardrail height shall not exceed the existing height and the handrails at the stairs shall be no great than 30" in height at the nosing of the stair tread.
8.Skirting shall be spot replaced to match the existing in design, size, profile, etc.
9.Columns shall remain but deteriorated bases may be spot replaced to match the existing in size, design, profile, if they are beyond repair.
10.All front porch details shall be primed and painted.
*****
Jim Kelly (representative/contractor for the owner) was present for tonight's COA discussion: This is a single family residence. Mr. Kelly is rebuilding the decking and stairs. Unsure of the supports under the decking. Photos indicate the porch has sunk, but unknown to what degree.
If the entire deck has to be replaced, the COA will need to be amended. If staff feels drastic changes from this submittal, the replacement will need to be heard again by this subcommittee for consideration of such changes.
Railing height on column should be same height as guard rail. Therefore, a return maybe needed to extend out from the column towards the steps to allow for the required height.
Contractor indicated the span of the rounded portion of the porch might need another column for support.
Commissioners noted an additional column centered in the span of the curved roof would be appropriate in design. There may even be a pier. Contractor really won't know for sure until the decking is pulled up. If an additional column, it would not be found "on a shelf at the home improvement store. A new column would need to match the size, taper and details of the existing columns. Additionally, a wider board would be needed to conceal the pier of a new column. Staff will work with contractor with all details regarding the column issue.
Contractor indicated most of the porch skirting is intact; only spot replacement of boards (in kind) would be required.
Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to approve with staff recommendations and the following amendments: 1) staff to approve "return" (if needed) to center of column for connection of the handrail; 2) staff to approve details for one additional column within span of the curved roof line, matching existing column details with an appropriate wider board required on the skirting to hide the pier of the column.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter.
The motion passed unanimously.
19 N Geneva St - Installation of new cedar siding-
The applicant has submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to install cedar clapboard siding and replace any missing architectural features. The house was formerly clad with aluminum substitute siding. The applicant obtained a COA for the removal with the condition that Staff conduct a site inspection following the completion of the siding removal.
Staff conducted a site assessment on March 20, 2018. At that time the substitute siding was removed. It was found that the original siding (stucco) was removed at the time the aluminum siding was installed except for the front elevation where stucco was still present. Lathe was found throughout the remaining elevations but no stucco. In addition, the window hoods were removed when the substitute siding was installed and are proposed to be recreated with a simplistic drip edge.
The aluminum soffits are proposed to be removed and original elements restored with spot replacement to match in kind at deteriorated/beyond repair areas.
The applicant is requesting to install clapboard siding with 2 2" reveal versus the stucco as the clapboard siding was a typical siding material for bungalows and would not look out of place on this home. A similar example of this home with clapboard siding can be found at 408 Bowen Court.
Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications:
Architectural Details and Features-
A.Should be repaired rather than replaced.
B.Should not be removed or altered if original to the building.
C.Should not be covered or concealed with vinyl, aluminum or other substitute material.
D.Should not be added unless there is physical, pictorial, or historical evidence that such features were original to the house or consistent with the style which would allow them to be added to the house. These features should match the original in materials, scale, location, proportions, form and detailing.
Wood Siding-
A.Should be repaired rather than replaced, if original. If replacement is necessary, wood siding and shingles should be replaced with new cement board or shingles to match the original in size, placement, and design. Wood that has been concealed beneath synthetic sidings such as aluminum, asbestos, or vinyl should be repaired and the synthetic sidings removed. Following the removal of synthetic sidings the original siding should be repaired to match the original, caulked and painted. If the "ghosts" or outlines of decorative missing features are revealed, these should generally be replicated and reinstalled. If these features are not replaced they should be recorded through photographs or drawings for future replication.
B.Should be insulated if the addition of the insulation does not result in alterations to the siding. The creation of plugs or holes for blown-in insulation is not acceptable.
C.Should have original asbestos shingles kept stained or painted. If asbestos shingle siding is deteriorated or poses a health hazard, it may be removed and replaced with wood or other substitute siding. Removal of asbestos siding should follow hazardous material guidelines.
D.Should not be concealed beneath synthetic materials such as vinyl, masonite, or aluminum, if original. Original siding should also not be concealed beneath wood based materials such as particle board, gyp board, or press board. These materials generally do not possess textures or designs which closely match original wood siding. However, if more than 50% of the original siding material is damaged beyond repair, or missing, substitute materials may be applied if the following conditions are met:
a.the existing damaged siding materials are removed prior to the installation of substitute materials;
b.Vinyl material is not permissible. Rather, cement board is and should be smooth without knots and be accented with trim
c.Finger jointed board stock is acceptable, however, natural continuous board stock is preferable for use as siding.
The application of these materials must not result in the concealment of or removal of original decorative detailing or trim including window and door surrounds. However, if no trim or surrounds exist then new wood trim in the form of fascia, corner boards, base boards, molding and windows should be installed. Substitute materials should match the dimensions of the original wood siding as closely as possible. The cement board should abut the wood trim and be caulked to prevent moisture damage.
Paint Removal and Surface Preparation-
A.Should be performed by manual scraping or by using appropriate chemical removers. A paint shaver may be used, but with caution so as to avoid removal of wood siding.
B.Should be performed cautiously when removing paint through heat plates or heat guns to avoid unnecessary damage to the wood through charring or fire.
C.Should not be removed by abrasive techniques such as sand or water blasting since this can damage the wood and introduce moisture into the building.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff cannot recommend approval as it is clear that the original exterior cladding to the home was stucco and shall be replaced in kind to meet the requirements of the Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts.
However, if the clapboard cedar siding is approved as proposed due to evidence that 22" exposure cedar clapboard siding was a common material found on bunglaows, staff would then recommend that the Design Review Subcommittee recommend the following:
Siding-
1.All replacement wood material shall be clear (no knots), cedar and installed smooth side out. The exposure of the exterior siding is no more than 2 /2 inch exposure (to match the typical exposure found on bungalows).
2.Spot replacement of the following: trim boards, cornerboards, window hoods, bed molding, crown molding and sills that are beyond repair or missing shall match the existing in kind. Trim and cornerboards shall sit proud of the siding.
3.The window hoods shall be recreated as a simplistic drip edge, similar to that found at 408 Bowen Court.
4.Aluminum wrap around windows and soffits shall be removed; beadboard, trim, sill, apron shall remain.
Entire home shall be prepped, primed and painted.
****
Raul Negron (property owner/representative of Aguirre Properties) was present for tonight's COA discussion:
Front porch was an open porch at some point. Not sure when it was enclosed, but it was already an enclosed porch upon their purchase. The owner is not proposing any changes to the enclosed porch.
Bungalow style homes in this period could been brick, stucco or siding. Cedar siding would be appropriate for this style home given the year of construction. Commissioners would prefer the siding corners to be mitered. Siding would also need to line up with top of doors, and tops and bottoms of windows. Clear smooth cedar siding can be finger jointed, if desired by owner.
Contractor indicated the windows are amazing, pretty much in line.
After the aluminum siding was removed, owners was surprised to find a type of pea gravel surface on the front elevation. Major of the house exposed is lathe boards, typical of stucco homes. Contractor is willing to install stucco or cedar siding, with preference of cedar siding.
Aluminum wrap around the windows needs to be removed; restore window trim which must sit proud of the siding.
Soffits to remain in aluminum cladding; otherwise the gutter systems would have to be removed (and replaced).
Motion made by Committee Member Savel to approve with staff recommendations and the following requirements: 1) mitered corners, 2) allowance for smooth, clear, finger jointed cedar siding, 3) siding alignment of above doors and above & below windows. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roberson.
The motion passed unanimously.
Additional Staff Comments:
General discussion of various recently submitted over the counter COA requests.
Correspondence:
None
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Savel. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
http://www.cityofelgin.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5832
Alerts Sign-up