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The applicable Federal guidelines from the Secretary of the Interior's standards for the rehabilitation of historic buildings are: "Replacing in-kind an entire feature of the roof that is too deteriorated to repair — if the overall form and detailing are still evident — using the physical evidence to guide the new work. Examples can include a large section of roofing, or a dormer or chimney. If using the same kind of material is not technically or economically feasible, then a comparable substitute material may be considered." RECOMMENDATION Roof. The mansard roof on the main portion of the house is covered with red, gray -green and blue-green scalloped and rectangular slates with diamond and flower patterns. The exposed fasteners are showing signs of corrosion and some slated have slipped. Some portions of the starter rows have been replaced with new slates, but water infiltration continues to be a problem. The contractor is concerned that much of the slate will crack during removal precluding reuse of all of the existing 130 -year-old roof slates and having a patchwork -like end result if new slate was interspersed with the old. The other factor is the additional cost of all new slate — about $21,000 above the cost of the synthetic slate. The contractor has worked with an ECOSTAR representative to replicate the colors, tile shapes and design patterns of the existing slate roof in the synthetic slate product. Both the local and federal standards do not preclude the use of an alternative material as long as it is a comparable substitute material or duplicates the original. The re -roof of the rear hipped roof with synthetic slate and the siding of the dormer with the slate will be consistent with the style and character of the main portion of the house. The proposed alterations will not increase the height of the building, alter the stylistic character and form of the fagade and the mansard roof, or adversely affect the structural stability of the house. Staff recommends granting approval. Chimneys: There are six chimneys on this building. Two are finely corbelled and will remain. The four others are utilitarian, have been modified, and were added at a later date. The contractor proposes to remove three of these utilitarian chimneys. They are also no longer in use. One is located next to the rear dormer (See photo 5 and 12) and it appears that the interior unglazed bricks have been exposed and are spalling (photo 12). It is a main culprit of water infiltration. The other two are located on the northeast side of the house and rear addition (see photo 7). These three chimneys cannot be seen from the most prominent fagades seen from West Washington and the parking lot to the west of the house. The removal of the chimneys will not increase the height of the building, alter the mass, proportions or character or its main fagades, or adversely impact the structural stability of the building. Staff recommends approval for this portion as well.