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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFIATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Application Number: 2002-0925 Property Location: 1217 East Wayne Street North Property Owner: Mr. & Mrs. John & Margaret Scanlon Landmark or District Designation: Local Historic District — East Wayne Street Rating: Technically "non-contributing" because, having been built in 1953, it was less than 50 years old at the time of the most recent survey, and thus could not couldn't be "historic" under the rules. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT This house is a very interesting and distinctive example of 1950s modern architecture, although unfortunately the name of the architect is unknown to the Commission. It is in excellent, and mostly unaltered condition. It is a two-story frame house with a somewhat irregular plan defined by large strong rectangles. The nine bay facade is separated by plain pilasters. The roof is flat, with modillions on the overhang. The first floor windows are large single pane rectangles, and the second floor windows are awning -type, set in threes. The facade is brick and wood. The site is slightly raised, apparently by architectural design, to accentuate the shape and profile of the house. Staff would be fascinated to know whether the original architect specified or recommended other specific landscape design elements, because that was often the case with higher quality homes of this style and period. In 1953, two sisters, Hedwige and Clara Makielski, built this house, and lived together here, using two addresses: 1217 East Wayne North for Clara, and 1219 East Wayne North for Hedwige. After 1958, they both used 1217, probably just for simplicity, as there was no change to the structure. Hedwige and Clara were two of eleven children (four girls and six boys) born to Elizabeth and Alexander Makielski. Hedwige worked as a nurse, and Clara: worked as a secretary for the Alexis Coquillard General Insurance Co. Hedwige lived here until her death in 1956, and Clara until her death in 1985. They left the house to another sister, Theophila, who in 1991 sold it to the present owners, Margaret & John Scanlon. PROPOSAL: The owners are seeking to turn a 12' by 12' room on the back of the house into a 16' by 30' master bedroom suite, to include a bathroom, walk-in closet, and bedroom with access by double doors to an attached deck. I understand that the primary purpose is to make the house more accessible for use by handicapped or elderly persons, in case that should ever be necessary. The proposal is to replicate or match the existing roof, eaves, siding, and all windows except the bathroom window, which would be glass block. The proposal would also require removal of a few bushes and some trees that are already storm -damaged. The shrubbery to be removed is likely not part of any original plan, as it surrounds a later addition. RECOMMENDATION - Staff recommends approval of the Application, as shown in the attached drawings, with the conditions that: (a) the roof, eaves, gutters, and siding match or replicate that originally used on the house, (b) that the doors and all windows except the bathroom have the same shape, size, and exterior dimensions as those used in the original construction. Staff further suggests that, if the owners could locate landscape specifications or suggestions from the original architect, it might be very rewarding to consult them when replacing the shrubbery and damaged trees.