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Stucco surfaces shall be maintained by cleaning and repainted when necessary. When repairing stucco a stucco mixture shall be used. Recommended Whenever possible, the original building materials should be restored. Aluminum or vinyl siding may be used when it is the only feasible alternative to maintaining the original surface material. When used over wood surfaces, this siding should be the same size and style as the original wood. However it must be noted that such material can contribute to the deterioration of the structure from moisture and insects. Mortar joints should be repointed only when there is evidence of moisture problems or when sufficient mortar is missing to allow water to stand in the mortar joint. Existing mortar shall be duplicated in composition, color, texture, joint size, method of application, and joint profile. D. ENTRANCES, PORCHES, AND STEPS The majority of the houses in the district have either an open or a enclosed porch across the front or on the side. Most porches have either gabled or hipped roofs or are covered by the main roof of the house. A brick base with wood columns is common. Required Existing or original porches and steps, including handrails, balusters, columns, brackets, tiles and roof decorations shall be retained or replace with replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair. Porches and additions reflecting later architectural styles and which are important to the building's historical integrity shall be retained. Recommended When enclosing porches for heat conservation or for other reasons, it should be done in a manner that does not alter the architectural or historical character of the building. Prohibited Porches and steps that are important to the building's style and development may not be altered or removed. Not Recommended Original porch details should not be replaced with materials representing a different period or style from the original. IV. SAFETY AND BUILDING CODES A. BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS Required Building code requirements shall be compiled with in such a manner that the existing character of the building is preserved. Recommended • Local building code officials should be consulted to investigate alternative life safety measures that will preserve the architectural integrity of the structure. Variances for historic properties should be investigated. Prohibited Construction of new stairways and elevators that would alter important architectural features and space is prohibited. Not Recommended Fire prevention equipment should not damage the appearance or fabric of the building. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Structures like the boathouse are not specifically defined within the Standards and Guidelines, and as such, the general text covering building materials, as well as those covering entrances, porches, and steps, are considered for this recommendation. The Standards and Guidelines are explicit that "original porches and steps, including handrails, balusters, columns, brackets, tiles and roof decorations shall be retained or replaced with replicas of the same design and materials when deteriorated beyond repair" and that "original porch details should not be replaced with materials representing a different period or style from the original. " Historic precedence exists for this, in the form of a Certificate of Appropriateness issued in April of 1990 that allowed for the "replacing all wood on boathouse with wolmanized lumber." The applicant received approval to reconstruct the handrail earlier this year with RME #2018-0501A. Vinyl is only explicitly mentioned four times in the Standards and Guidelines, in relation to siding and window awnings, hoods, and fake shutters. Staff agrees that the railing should be taller to be compliant with State / International Building Code requirements. The applicant's preference for replacement of the railing is not unfounded, and Staff would support replacement to comply with Code requirements specifically because of the river -front setting of this structure. However, Staff is not convinced that enough investigation on the part of the applicant has occurred to warrant a favorable recommendation. Staff recommends that the application be denied based upon the requirements of the Standards and Guidelines.