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CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS STAFF REPORT b. siding materials - the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with additional siding. Structures already sided with incompatible materials should be returned to a siding similar to the original when renovation is considered. Building Site and Landscaping 2. Recommended New site work.should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and newspapers. . , RECOMMENDATION The applicant proposes to rehabilitate roof features as part of the comprehensive rehabilitation of this building for renewed public use. The building is arguably the most significant extant structure in the city and county being one of the 3 extant structures designed by John Mills Van Osdel, considered to be the -first professional architect to practice in Chicago. It is further one of the few remaining Greek Revival courthouses in the state. Due to the high survey rating and the above stated significance, greatest concern and the highest standards should be applied in activities related to the maintenance of building. The proposed repairs to the structure require no removal. of original material and include options for reinforcement by adding incidental steel to existing members. Though the final solution has not yet been determined, Staff recommends approval of this operation so long as it does not deviate from proposed alternatives._ Replacement of built-up roofing with folded -seam roofing*of-terne-coated copper or stainless steel is consistent with the probable original construction. The only other probable material for the original roof would have been wood shingle which would have been considered inferior at the time of construction and certainly would not be considered safe today. Staff recommends approval of this roofing replacement. Finally, proposed rehabilitation of cupola features includes removal of exitsing metal cladding and its replacement; replacement of deteriorated wood mouldings, etc.; installation of replacement and additional metal cladding; repair of clock features and interior cleaning. The Landmark standards allow installation of substitute materials but require replacement of original materials by type and discourage cladding except in exceptional cases. The principal is.sues here weigh the relative merits of retaining original historical material when it is deteriorated and the retention of character and appearance when alterations are required. Thus it - may be argued that some loss of character may be justified in the interest of avoiding replacement of original material, (i.e. retaining deteriorated historical material under cladding versus replacement of detei-iorated historical material with new matching materials). There may also be some issue of hardship raised with regard to long term maintenance viability. The significant issue of this application is with regard to the installation of additional. cladding' which is proposed. It is the judgment of the Staff 'that specifically the texture of the horizontal board siding which is discernible from the ground is'a character