Ben and Carrie Modlin vs. Historic Preservation Commission (COA#2019-1007A)

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Commissioner Downs-Krostenko stated that this is the classic Historic Preservation problem:that it is expensive to do it`right.' That this is why the Commission is here for. That if the argument becomes,'its too expensive to do it right,'then the Commission might as well go home,because that is one of the reasons why it exists. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko asked if the original boards would be removed,or if the new material would be installed over the old boards, Mr.Modlin stated that they would remove the old material,and that new sheathing would be installed,and fire stop,and vapor barrier. Commissioner Hertel made a motion to approve COA#2019-1007A-Continued,that all the architectural details including the trim around the windows,the roof gable,the brackets,are replicated in the original style and material(this does not include the siding).Seconded by Commissioner Ponder. Seven in favor,none opposed. Vote: 7—0. Motion to approve COA#2019-1007A-Continued,section one,regarding"the treatment and preservation of the Architectural details"is passed. Commissioner Hertel made a motion to approve COA#2019-1007A-Continued,that the siding to be replaced should be wood in nature,with final approval of the product details remanded to staff.Seconded by Commissioner Downs-Krostenko. Six in favor,one opposed. Vote: 6—1. Motion to approve COA#2019-1007A,section two with wood siding,with final product details remanded to staff,is approved. Legal Counsel Kennedy clarified that the approved motion is a denial of the original application, and that Commissioners should state their reasons for denial. Roll was called. Commissioner Downs-Krostenko(AYE): I vote to deny because,the holy grail of our business is the exterior preservation of these buildings,and changing the material and the dimensions of the material does radically change the appearance of the house,it also involves demolishing the existing wood siding,and once you do something like that to the house,you can pretty much guarantee that it probably will never come back If the wood stays underneath there, someone may come along and say, 'oh,I'm going to make arrangements to take off the nasty vinyl siding and repair the woodwork and the carpentry and make it beautiful again. Once you remove it,you pretty much put a stake through the heart of the building in terms of its integrity and value in the exterior. Commissioner Annis(AYE): I vote to deny,as the product is outside of the recommendation of the standards. Our job is to uphold the Standards. Commissioner Deegan(NAY): Commissioner Hertel(AYE): I vote to deny,as the product is outside of the standards and guidelines of what would be appropriate for the house of that historic time. Commissioner Gelfman(AYE): I vote to deny,due to the fact that, 1)this farmstead is notable, which is critical in St.Joseph County and the City as well. 2)If we are to keep the integrity of historical preservation that exists for hundreds and hundreds of years,we have to look at the standards and the guidelines that have been set,and we need to follow them as best we can. I understand that this is a difficult situation because of the cost of it,unfortunately one of the things that comes along with a historical home, which I think all of us own,is that—the cost of the renovations of it. One of the things that Dr. [Krostenko-] Downs did recommend that might be helpful to you is to just do it a section at a time,over so many years. I understand that is difficult as well,