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STAFF REPORT <br />CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A <br />CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS <br /> <br />Date: December 14, 2020 <br />Application Number: 2020-1209A <br />Property Location: 319 West Navarre Street <br />Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Stocker House / Gabled <br />El / 1880-1882 (1905?) <br />Property Owner: Thomas Casteel <br />Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local (Ordinance <br />#9574-05) and National Historic District <br />Rating: Non-Contributing <br /> <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Two story irregular plan house on a brick foundation covered with <br />stucco. Brick chimney at rear. Aluminum sided, bay on east side of first story. Roof is cross gabled with <br />asphalt shingles. Small entry steps with pent roof (an extension of the main roof) with wood console. Vinyl <br />replacement vinyl windows throughout. <br /> <br />ALTERATIONS: Administrative approval #2020-0904 allowed for the reconstruction and replacement of the <br />existing deck, the addition of a new deck portion, reconstruction of the cellar door, reconstruction/pointing of the <br />cellar entrance masonry, relocation of existing back door to location of replacement window, seal up previous <br />opening. Vinyl windows were installed sometime after the property was surveyed in 1979. <br /> <br />APPLICATION ITEMS: “Window replacement – See attached.” <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: <br /> <br />i. Replace five (5) existing vinyl clad double hung replacement windows with new vinyl clad <br />double hung replacement windows of smaller (shorter) configuration, <br />1. Two on the front façade, <br />2. Three on the east side bay window, <br />ii. Construct new exterior knee walls and cover in new aluminum siding <br />iii. Remove existing wrought iron window grates. <br /> <br />The existing aluminum siding predates the establishment of the district and is visible in the 1979 survey <br />photographs. It is unknown when the vinyl windows were installed: sometime after 1979, but before the <br />establishment of the district. This was prior to the properties purchase by the current owner. <br /> <br />The current windowsills are at floor height. The proposed new windowsills will be raised to 27” above floor height. <br />New walls will be constructed. <br /> <br />Aluminum siding does not ‘feather-in’ visually as well as wood siding. The new material will more than likely <br />stand out by comparison to the existing siding. Staff does not believe this will detract from the character of the <br />house any more than the existing aluminum siding already does. <br /> <br />Were the applicant to only change two or three of the five windows of this size, staff would not support the project. <br />By changing all the windows of this size, the house maintains some semblance of uniformity and symmetry. The <br />Commission has reviewed and approved projects where windows were made smaller to allow for improved use and <br />functionality of the interior space (in kitchens, for example). <br /> <br />Wrought iron window grates are visible in the 1979 Survey Card photo. It is not known how old the existing <br />fixtures are, if they are original to the house, or if these are the same wrought iron gates from the 1979 Survey Card. <br />The current gates are only present on the street facing windows and have scroll-work detailing in the centers.