Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Signed Minutes - July 15, 2019

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APPLICATION ITEMS: “Replacement of the asbestos tile roof and galvanized gutters with the Classic Products Oxford metal shingle and new galvanized gutters” DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: Contractor has applied to install new Oxford metal shingle over existing asbestos tile roof, and to install new galvanized half round gutters. While the 81-year-old roof has been maintained over the years, Slatile Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., Inc. and Pr eservation Inspector have concluded that the asbestos shingle roof is failing and may be considered beyond repair at this point, please see respective letters for details. Slatile has proposed to install a metal shingle style roof system that would allow for the asbestos to remain installed on the house. Per the contractor, the main reason for not removing the asbestos is to eliminate the hazard of asbestos particles becoming airborne during demolition and the possibility of becoming a health hazard to the neighborhood. Another reason is the cost of the removal and special considerations needed in disposal, both of which result in a higher cost. Staff advocates for removal of asbestos prior to installing a new roof product to eliminate a potentially hazardous material from existing on the house and to remedy any moisture concerns related to the vegetation growing in or behind the asbestos tile. Regarding the proposed metal roof, this particular product is not commonly found in historic districts but would simulate a tile scale, texture, and pattern. At the June 17, 2019 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission continued the application requesting from the petitioner that at the next meeting they return with numbers on how much the asbestos removal would cost, and then how much it would cost to remove with the installation of the asphalt architectural shingles, and then how much this project would cost with th e containment metal material, and then also that the homeowner please be present. Requested items have been provided by the contractor; the following is a summary: 1. (Application Item) Installation of the Classic Products Oxford aluminum panels over the existing asbestos t ile roof $79,275.00 2. Complete tear off of the existing asbestos tile roof and installation of the Classic Products Oxford aluminum panels $110,250.00 3. Complete tear off of the existing asbestos tile roof and installation of the Certainteed Landmark architectural shingles $80,220.00 In reaction to thoughtful discussion from the June meeting, Staff contacted the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, South Bend Building Department, and St. Joseph County Health Department to discover that there is no requirement for removal of residential asbestos roofs and that installing a roof system over top asbestos material is allowed . The proposed gutters are in – kind. PRESERVATION INSPECTOR REPORT: On June 6, 2019 I met with Wendell Simmons from Slatile and Preservation Specialist Adam Toering at the property located at 1133 E Wayne N part of the East Wayne Local Historic District. The owner has applied (through the contractor) to cover the existing asbestos shingles with a substrate membrane then finish with aluminum asbestos looking aluminum roof tiles. The step flashing at the chimneys will have to replaced with a taller version, and the distinctive half-round gutters will also have to be removed and rehung. There are missing or broken tiles in several locations. The owners and contractors have been using up a stockpile of matching tiles, but now that supply has been depleted. Patches of moss are everywhere on all sides of the roof. This would suggest tha t the existing underlayment under the asbestos tiles has failed so far as to allow moisture to pool. Not to mention the extra weight. The moss will need to be removed and the areas washed to prevent regrowth. In a previous application for 1105 E Wayne where asbestos tiles were present, the roofing had been removed, properly disposed of, and a new underlayment and roof material then installed. I am aware that there are additional costs, but the removal of t he asbestos tiles is the only permanent solution. The new underlayment is to be installed with screws and washers through the existing asbestos tiles and underlayment. I would question leaving failed material in place rather than removing it. Steve Szaday Preservation Inspector STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: EAST WAYNE STREET II. EXISTING STRUCTURES B. ROOFS AND ROOFING Roof shapes in the district encompass most of the various designs found in residential structures. Roofs are covered with a variety of materials such as asphalt, asbestos, wood, and slate shingles, as well as clay tiles. Residences in most cases have wood fascias with gutters and downspouts. The facias of some vinyl or metal sided houses are covered with the same material. Required