July 2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: July 8, 2009 Application Number: Property Location: Architectural Style/Date: Property Owner: District Designation: Rating: . 2009-0706B 847 Forest Avenue Free Classic/1896 Joanie Downs Chapin Park Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE The Gelz House is a rectangular plan Free Classic style home built in 1896 on Lot 35 of Chapin Place. The wide aluminum siding has recently been removed to expose the original clapboard siding, and the shadow of a belt course dividing the first and second floors on the exterior. Windows are 1 over 1 double hung. A projecting cornice line sits just below the asphalt shingled roof. A front and side porch are covered by hip roofs on gabled wood supports, also shingled with asphalt shingles. The home was modified in 1942 into four apartments, and the above mentioned front porch was added in 1951, replacing a much more elaborate original porch. ALTERATIONS: Circa 1951 the original front porch (Ex 1) was replaced with the existing front porch. When aluminum sided, the belt course was removed to more uniformly apply the siding. The date of the siding application is unknown. An addition was made to the back of the house, date unknown, but possibly when modified into apartments in 1942. Our survey card, created in 2005, lists the home simply as "Altered". APPLICATION ITEMS: Repair and replacement of original siding, see attached. Further information provided in hard copy from applicant and summarized in "description of proposed project". DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: A recent unveiling revealed original features, and the shadow of original features previously concealed under the aluminum siding. The applicant is seeking to restore the original exterior appearance of the house, save rebuilding the original porch (Ex 1). The restoration includes the replacement of the three dimensional belt course that delineates the first and second floors. This will be constructed of wood as was the original. (Though the applicant checked "Replacement- not in-kind" a phone call to the applicant confirmed what is written the extended information about the project that "All exterior work is to be done with wood clapboard and wood shingles to match the original." — AHM) This feature is marginally visible in the historic photograph (Ex 1), but there is a portion on the back of the home that was never removed. This will serve as the model for the replacement. The sills on the recently exposed gable vents will be replaced with in kind materials and any other rotted clap boards will be replaced in kind. Any shingles that need to be replaced, particularly on the south gable of the home will be - replaced with in kind materials. The project will also return clapboards to match the originals to the bottom of two previously altered windows on the north side of the property. A solid panel was added to alter the original window openings when smaller windows were installed. (Ex 2) This was not visible until the unveiling. Returning the window openings to the original size is impractical due to the installation of a kitchen counter at the shorter height. Wooden clapboards, equal to the dimension of the originals, will replace the extant solid panels. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Chapin Park is a Rehabilitation District: (b2) Rehabilitation Maintaining the existing character of the district, and whenever possible returning it to its original condition. Any rehabilitation would not require the removal of all non -original materials but would encourage the removal of all such materials which are incompatible with the defined elements of preservation for the district. The design of new