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CERTTFTCATR OF APPROPRTATENESS STAFF REPORT • STANDARDS The landmark standards for group B Landmarks state that: D. Demolition Historic Landmarks shall. not be demolished. When a Landmark poses a threat to the public safety, and demolition is the only alternative, documentation by way of photographs, measured drawings, or other descriptive methods should be made of both the exterior and interior of the landmark. The person or agency responsible for the demolition of the landmark shall be responsible for his documentation. The commission has further prescribed the following requirements for demolition by resolution. (see attached Demolition Standards) RECOMMENDATTON With regard to the criteria noted above for the justification of demolition, the owners have submitted a continuation sheet to their application (see attachment) describing this building's state of deterioration and their opinion of its level of hazard. They have further submitted an estimate for the rehabilitation of the structure. Staff does note that the scope of work described in this estimate includes items not noted in the description of the state of deterioration (i.e. vinyl siding) and that the various proceedures proposed are not itemized. Subsequent to the continuation from the December 1996 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission, Staff visited the site to observe the existing conditions found there. With knowledge that the foremost significance of this landmark is its integrity as a whole farmstead inclusive of a settler's log -house, a later residence of a prosperous farmer, the summer -house in question, a bank -barn, a smoke or milk -house, and several other farm outbuildings, Staff briefly observed the general conditions of the several contributing buildings. Most biii.ldings were found to be in excellent to good condition. The log house is in a state of deterioration as was known from previous correspondence with the owner(s) and from previous examination. It appears that some work has progressed upon the recommendations which had been provided by the commission at that time, mainly the removal of badly rotted material establishing the extent of such deterioration. The main barn appears to be excellently maintained.. The farmhouse, though lacking in integrity due to previous oversiding is in good repair and has recently received a new roof. It retains its original windows and ornamental. tracery. The building presently under consideration was found to be in a precarious state of deterioration due to obvious neglect of maintenance which has been performed at the other. structures. Though deterioration is evident at most features of the structure, the most extensive and problematic deterioration was found at the foundation level. Subsurfar_P stone masonry was in evidonr_e at some locations but most of the visible bearing consists of 10X10 solid wood sills in contact with soil and subsequently rotting. In some cases, these members are notched which might indicate previous use at another structure or an earlier raised floor. Door conditions would indicate that the latter never existed. The general indications are that the interior of the building was never finished beyond its present conditions. The large opening at the rear of this building- now provides for an overhead door and it is not discernible what the prior appearance of this wall was. The floor is now concrete poured in place using the mudsills as formwork.