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STAFF REPORT - CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: 02 May 2016 Application Number: 2016-0502 Property Location: 815 Ashland Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: T-Plan/1894 Property Owner: Randy and Diana Hopkins Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Rating: Non -Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: This is a two story house with exterior walls clad in aluminum and perma-stone. The roof is covered with asphalt shingles. There is an enclosed front porch with siding to match to house and metal railings. There is a fence across the drive way. ALTERATIONS: In 1945 there was a 5' x 6' addition to the porch. The house is aluminum sided, the perma-stone is not original and there are replacement windows. The fence was added with COA 2009- 0922. There is a rear addition with a wooden deck and ramp that was added after the fence was installed, without a COA. COA 2012-0420 approved tear -off and replacement of asphalt shingles. COA 2015- 1005A approved removal of the garage, but it has not yet been demolished. APPLICATION ITEMS: Demolition of existing concrete front porch and steps and replace with wood front porch and steps. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The owners propose to remove the non -original, deteriorated concrete front porch and steps, as well as the existing metal railing, and replace with wood porch, steps, and railing, see Front Porch Plans diagram. The footprint of the proposed deck will be the same as the existing porch. The owner stated that "the use of wood allows the owners to do the work themselves, resulting in significant cost savings". The proposal for the front is designed to look similar in style to the deck that was added to the rear. PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: On May 3, 2016, I returned to the address on request of the Deputy Director to photograph the steps for application COA 2016-0502. The problem is the limestone fagade ends on the right side of the steps on the house but continues to the end of the steps on the left side of the house when viewing the front. If he removes the steps, there will need to be some way to end the veneer. There is a jagged crack but that cannot be the end or more will come off. Also when the stairs are removed, there may not be any veneer behind the existing steps. The condition of the current steps is poor with just as may cracks as patches. The veneer on the face of the steps has also failed. This is partially due to the patches not covering the entire veneer squarely. The railing is solid and solidly attached to the house, however the contact points to the steps have been compromised by the steps' condition and patches. The railing is attached to the house by bolts and covered with mortar. Please see pictures attached. I did not see any approved COAs in the file for the deck that was added to the rear of the house that the owner plans to match the front steps to. I do see pictures dated 4/21/2010 depicting construction at the rear of the house but I do see further correspondence to the matter. I was not able to meet with the owner in person. I knocked when I was on site, but got no answer.