619 Cushing_COA 2019-1023A - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: November 13, 2019 Application Number: 2019-1023A Property Location: 617-619 North Cushing Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Gabled-ell/Stick / 1892 Property Owner: Dito’s Investments, LLC Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark, Ordinance #8142-90 Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/SITE: Main structure is a two-story irregular plan Gabled-ell house in the stick style on a brick foundation (that was previously covered in stucco). Wood clapboard siding with decorative square panels and jigsaw shingles. Asphalt shingle roof with centrally mounted brick chimney. Gabled dormers with decorated rakeboards, molded wood eaves and rake, and a plain frieze. The front entry porch adds distinctive styling, the side entrance has a unique canopy with fan-decorated semicircular brackets. Windows were originally 1-over-1 double hung with plain wood jambs and sills and decorated wood entablatures; many windows are now vinyl replacements. 617 Cushing stands to the rear of the main house closer to the alley and was possibly originally an outbuilding. It is a one and a half story structure with a brick foundation and a centrally mounted chimney. Originally sided in wood, it is now covered in vinyl. Windows are a mix of original wood one-over-one double hung, casements, and replacement vinyl windows. ALTERATIONS: Both properties have been extensively modified over the course over the last century. Windows have been replaced in both structures (without COA); 617 Cushing had vinyl siding installed over the original siding. AA 2019-0517 approved a number of projects on the exterior of both structures which have not been completed (removal and reconstruction of chimneys, foundation work, tree removal, landscaping improvements, and the removal of the exterior stair well). AA 2019-1023 allowed for the removal and re-roofing of the asphalt shingle roof, as well as the installation of new gutters and downspouts. APPLICATION ITEMS: “Install new shingles roof, install gutters and downspouts, cancel two entry doors and fix wood siding, paint all exterior siding and trim-casting.” DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Applicant seeks a Certificate of Appropriateness for changes on the structure: 1. Removal of exterior doors, filling in of the former door cavities, and siding over with LP Smart Side PPG Prefinished ™ 3/8 x 6 x 16’ Knight’s Armor Textured Strand Lap Siding. a. The front façade of the structure currently has three entrances: i. An ancillary entrance facing east, TO BE REMOVED ii. A primary entrance on the front porch facing east, iii. A secondary entrance onto the front porch, facing south, TO BE REMOVED Staff believes the LP Smartside is intended to be used just to fill in the removed doors. Staff has not interpreted this application as seeking to re-side the entirety of the structure. Late 19th century structures often had multiple front entrances (leading to some being labeled as ‘coffin doors’ or ‘funeral doors’ as they were supposedly installed to allow coffins to be brought into and removed from a house without navigating tight turns or corners). Historic record indicates this structure has long existed as a multi-family house with multiple units, necessitating multiple entrances. This is reflected in the property history and 1932 Assessor Cards. 1