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removed materials on site. I met Charles who is the owner's representative. He informed me that the crew that was on site was kicked off the job for sub -par work and that they had not pulled the necessary permits. I saw a new wooden staircase on the south side of the house where the previous wooden one was. I noticed the sculpted block knee wall that was at the bottom of the previous staircase was removed. I also saw new wooden fence panels both in place and stacked on the ground. I returned to the property on September 4, 2018 to meet with Charles and discuss the COA application items up for Commission review. Fence: Most of the posts were original with some new ones replacing old. The panels are similar to those that were there according to the 2013 digital file photos. The footprint does not appear to have been altered based upon those 2013 photographs. Exterior Side Staircase: the new staircase is sturdy and composed of wood as the previous staircase was. I requested that the contractor confer with the building department to make sure the baluster spacing meet code requirements. The remaining block and concrete landing and steps are failing. The steps have sunken to the south and there is a washout spot on the southeast base of the structure has left a deep void underneath. The removal of the knee wall has left the underground staircase to the cellar exposed and should be addressed. Windows: The owner has proposed the replacement of 7 original wood double -hung windows. I was unable to inspect the windows in the second floor as the apartment is occupied and the renter was not home. The four on the first level all have lower sashes that are broken and each have metal angle brackets holding the sashes together. These sashes are missing ropes and are not rotted, but rather are structurally damaged beyond repair. The metal storm windows are missing screens but have kept the original sashes and sills safely out of the elements. The upper sashes are painted and nailed in place. Front Steps: The front steps are failing. I believe they are past the point of merely "capping", and should be removed and replaced entirely. The porch may be tall enough that the building department may require a handrail added. I defer to local ordinance. Siding: The siding on the dormers have both mastic/asphalt siding and asphalt shingles. The 2013 file photographs show a better view of what was in place then. There are places where siding has been replaced with plywood and left unfinished. The remainder of the house is covered with wood clap board with a 4" reveal. • Steve Szaday Preservation Inspector STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Taylor's Field Local Historic District Guidelines I. THE ENVIRNOMENT A. THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT I ... I B. BUILDING SITE, LANDSCAPING AND ACCESSORIES Individual properties in the district are characterized by a house located near the front of each lot with a small to medium lawn in front and little to no lawn at the rear of the property. Often the back yard is used as a parking lot for tenants. About half of the properties include a garage which is either located at the rear of the property and accessed from unpaved alleys running behind the property or located directly next to the structure and accessed by small drives. Nearly all of the garage structure and accessed by small drives. Nearly all of the garage structures are out of date, single -stall frame buildings. One larger carriage house still stands in the district. Most properties have trees, shrubbery and/or hedges. Most houses conform to the uniform set -back within each block. Required Plants, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the property's history and development shall be retained. Recommended New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings, and newspapers. New site work should be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, Type, and appearance. Accessory structures such as decks, gazebos, fountains and/or small outbuildings should be appropriate to surrounding site elements in scale, type, and appearance. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building and causing deterioration to the building's historic fabric should be removed and replaced by suitable flora as approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Prohibited No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings or other site elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. Front yard areas shall not be fenced or fences shall not extend • forward beyond the setback line of the house. The installation of unsightly devices such as television satellite dishes, solar panels and skylights shall not be premised in areas where they can be viewed from the public thoroughfare. IL EXISTING STRUCTURES A. BUILDING MATERIALS