September 2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 2 September 2014 Application Number: 2014-0902B Property Location: 302 West Washington – First Presbyterian Church Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder. Richardsonian Romanesque/1889/J.P. Bailey & Christopher Fassnacht Property Owner: Ambassadors for Christ Church Landmark or District Designation: Local Landmark in West Washington National Register District Rating: Outstanding DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: The one and a half storey Richardsonian Romanesque style church building has an irregular plan set upon a stone foundation with multi -colored field stone walls, lighter stone details, rough face white stone string courses, and peak decoration. The roof is a 12/12 pitched cross gable with cut stone capped verges, large carved stone finials at the peaks with slate roofing material. There are double leaf paneled doors, a stained glass arch transom, radiating arch stone voussoirs, and stone squat, pillars and capital. Windows are stained glass with blue and purple schemes, two fixed sash, stone, pillar below, multi light transoms, large fan over side lights with fan half. All stairs are stone. There is a large bell tower on the northeast corner with two doors on either side, comer stone, stone corbelled base, stone wall arcade, stone frame half circle window, gables with dentilled frieze line peak roof and metal finial. There is a cone roof over the round bay on the northwest corner with three arched stained glass windows. ALTERATIONS: A brick entry vestibule/Sunday School room on the rear is not original. Bell tower windows have been enclosed and roof has been changed from slate to Inspire artificial slate. Flat areas of roof are asphalt. APPLICATION ITEMS: Tear off existing. Install new to match steeple done previously. *See Work Order DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT:. From a 2008 Abbreviated Field Audit Architectural Summary prepared by Troyer Group, "It is our recommendation that this roofing system be replaced as soon as possible." *See attachments from Field Audit, pages 4, 6 – 8. Repairs are to be completed by 3 November 2014 as ordered by Code Department. A work order provided by Bill's Roof Repair details the work proposed to be completed by ML Roofing Solutions. The existing slate tile will be discarded; new artificial slate will be installed. Under COA#2007-0904, Mike Smith Roofing provided temporary (slate) patch work of the most damaged portions of slate roof. It was his opinion at that time that some of the slates could be salvaged and reused. I am not aware of any exploration to reuse the existing slate at this time. GROUP B LOCAL LANDMARK STANDARDS: The Commission has the authority to determine the architectural merits and the extent of any proposed treatment, renovation, or addition to a historic landmark. The commission will require drawings, plans, specifications, and/or samples where appropriate. A. Maintenance The maintenance of any historical structure or site shall in no way involve any direct physical change except for the general cleaning and upkeep of the landmark. The Commission shall encourage the proper maintenance of all structure or sites. B. Treatment Treatment shall be defined as any change of surface materials that will not alter the style or original form. Such improvements include re -roofing, glazing, or landscaping lawns 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. Although these kinds of changes may not require a Building Permit, a Certificate of Appropriateness may be necessary. The commission should review the proposed treatment for character and style consistency with the original surfaces. C. Renovation and Additions Renovation is the modification of a structure, which does not alter the general massing while and addition, is a change in mass. A modification, which involves the removal of a part of the landmark, should be considered under demolition (see demolition). Additions to landmarks should not detract from the original form and unity of ht landmark and should not cover singular examples of architectural detail. Additions to landmarks should be added in a manner that does not disrupt the visible unity of overall appearance of the site. The proportions, materials and ratios of the existing structures should be carried through in the additions. Care should be taken not to change or alter the following: I. Structure—Necessary structural improvements, where safety demands should be accomplished in such a way as to cause minimal visual change to the original style and construction. 2. Material—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. a. wood—all wood trim should conform with existing trim in shape and size. b. siding materials—the Commission discourages the covering or alteration of original materials with additional siding. Structures already sided with incompatible materials should be returned to a siding similar to the original when renovation is considered. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the proposed project. Staff recommends that intact slates be reclaimed and offered as salvage. Elicia Feasel Deputy Director