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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING REVIEW OF PROPOSED ALTERATIONS TO A FACADE EASEMENT PROPERTY Date: 03/08/06 Application Number: 2006-0307-02 Property Location: 508 W. Washington, "Cushing House/Book Inn/Cushing Inn" S Property Owner: Berry & Sue Kessler Designation: Facade Easement, West Washington Nat. Reg. District Rating: Outstanding/13 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORIC CONTEXT, Albert G. Cushing built this superb Second Empire house in 1872 with a carriage house. The front doors won 15` prize for design at the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Cushing owned the A.G. Cushing & Co. drugstore, was the VP and director of the First National Bank, and had stakes a foundry and three car -manufacturing companies. His son, Albert Howard Cushing, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Tutt Cushing, eventually inherited the house. It has been a four-star bed and breakfast for several years and is now owned by Susan and Berry Kessler. APPLICATION ITEMS: Roofing: 1.) Replace existing slate roof with ECOSTAR composite slate: colors and shapes of new shingles will match the existing as closely as possible. The design patterns will be replicated. (Visual roofing schematic will be provided the day of the meeting.). 2.) Replace three -tab asphalt roof with ECOSTAR composite slate. Will also use color scheme from main roof. 3.) Cover the sides of the rear dormer with composite slate. Flashing and counter flashing will be copper. Chimneys: Remove three vacated and failing non-contributing chimneys (located at the rear of the structure). Staff has approved the soffit repairs, the replacement of the flat roofs with EPMD rubber roofing, the replacement of the tin metal roofs over the dormers with copper, and the addition of two downspouts to 'increase water drainage. DEED OF EASEMENT STIPULATIONS AND STANDARDS: The easement for this building covers "the exterior surfaces of all buildings and improvements (including without limitation, exterior walls, roofs, and chimneys)" and it stipulates that: "Without the express written permission of the Grantee, its successors, or assigns, signed by a duly authorized representative thereof, no construction, alteration, or remodeling or any other thing shall be undertaken.or permitted to be undertaken on the Property which would affect either the exterior surfaces herein described, or increase the height, or alter the exterior fagade (including, without limitation, exterior walls, roofs and chimneys) or the appearance of the buildings and improvements located thereon, or which would adversely affect the structural soundness of the building or improvements on the Property..." "...no future development of any kind whatsoever shall be permitted on the Property, unless the plans and exterior designs of such proposed future development have first been approved in writing by the Grantee, and only if such proposed future development shall conform with applicable local, state, or Federal standards for construction or rehabilitation within the district wherein the Property is situate." Applicable local standards are excerpted from the B Standards for Local Landmarks: "B. Treatment. Treatment shall be defined as any change of surface material that will not alter the style or original form. Such improvements include reproofing... and may involve a change that can potentially enhance or detract from the character of the landmark. A treatment change of any surface whether on the landmark or in its environment may require a Certificate of Appropriateness if it significantly alters the appearance of the landmark. The Commission should review the proposed treatment for character and style consistency with the original surfaces" (Page 3). "C. Renovation and Additions. 2. Materials. Additions and improvements involving any new material in the landmark should be of the same material as the original. It should be the same size and texture. An alternative material may be allowed if it duplicates the original" (Page 3).