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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 11 July 2016 Application Number: 2016 -0711A Property Location: 858 Forest Architectural Style/Date /Architect or Builder: Gabeled -ell; c. 1890 Property Owner: James and Rebecca Lundberg Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local Historic District/National Register District Rating: Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Built circa 1890, this 2 -story irregular plan frame house sits on a brick foundation. It has an asphalt - shingled roof, which extends over the half-width front porch. Siding is 4" wood clapboard siding with corner boards, and small frieze board at eaves. 1/1 double hung windows and wood panel front doors. ALTERATIONS: Previous work includes addition of aluminum storm windows and brick porch and columns with metal supports. COA 2015 -0921A approved removal and replacement of brick chimney. APPLICATION ITEMS: 1) We would like to remove 13 of our 14 existing windows and replace them with new, vinyl windows (double -hung Pella ThermaStar). The old windows have proved difficult to open and close and are terribly, terribly inefficient. Further, the old storms have posed a danger to our young child as many of the locks that hold the storms in place no longer function. This is not a full -frame tear out; only the storm and wood sash will be removed. No aluminum capping will be used; wooden exterior frames will remain in place. All windows but for the kitchen casement window will be replaced. 2) We would like to install iron handrails on either side of the stairs leading to the house. No handrails are now in place and this has proven dangerous in icy and snowy conditions. We will be working with our contact at Lowes (please see application for his details) on purchasing the pieces to produce a handrail as you see in the attached illustration. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Homeowner proposes to 1) remove all storm windows and wood sashes and replace with Pella 250 Series vinyl windows, with the exception of the kitchen casement window. Only the storm and wood sash will be removed; exterior wood trim will remain, and will not be wrapped with aluminum. 2) install Fortin Ironworks iron handrails on either side of front porch steps. Currently there are no handrails. PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: On August 10, 2016 at approximately 12pm noon I met with the owner at 858 Forest Ave. They had applied to replace 13 original wood windows and aluminum storms with new vinyl windows. The only original that would remain was a double casement in the kitchen. I photographed each window and checked each for structural integrity of the sashes, frames, and sills. I noticed only three sashes that were loose enough to rattle and had missing glazing. I noticed that over half of the windows had top sashes that were painted shut but were not fully closed. Many of the windows were in need of re- roping and some had been re -roped with polyester rope which had stretched over time. There was one broken pane on the original window sashes. The two sills on the second floor front face of the house needed scraping and painting soon but were not rotten yet. I also saw many of the storm windows needed repair. In particular many of the "ear tabs" that keep the screens and glass panes in place were missing or broken. The owner explained that was part of the reason for the desire to replace them was the lack of ability to use the storms and screens properly. She expressed concern since they have a young child and will be renting the property out in September that the storms were not safe.