December 2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Both the front and side porch are in need of shoring up and repairs. Currently the side porch is pulling away from the house. The property manager had discussed the proposed porch repairs with HPC staff prior to beginning work. It was during this conversation that he stated that any new columns or rails would be installed to best resemble the original. He would get them as close as he could. After this conversation the property manager hired a contractor and work began with out the proper permits. The columns that were installed in no way resemble the originals. The originals were simple round columns that narrowed toward the top. The staff recommends denial of the illegal replacement columns and stipulates that they be replaced with a round, simple columns that narrow at the top, just like the originals. The staff feels that cost should -not be a factor since a column that better resembles the original would not have cost anymore then those put in and had the property manager obtained the proper permits before going out and buying the existing columns he would have known that they were not acceptable. Any money that was wasted was do to poor judgment and haste on the part of the property manager and has no bearing on the staff recommendation. The property manager has assured me, as has the contractor, that the railings that were removed would be replaced with a new railing that would closely resemble the existing. Since the original railings have been removed it is impossible to get an accurate count in regards to the vertical members. However, these members are extremely close.together with no more then two inches between them. The staff would recommend approval of the rail replacement with the stipulation that it have as many vertical members as the original with similar spacing and that it be located in the same place and be the same size as the original.