319 West Navarre Street_COA 2021-0104

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STAFF REPORT CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS Date: January 13, 2021 Application Number: 2021-0104 Property Location: 319 West Navarre Street Architectural Style/Date/Architect or Builder: Stocker House / Gabled El / 1880-1882 (1905?) Property Owner: Thomas Casteel Landmark or District Designation: Chapin Park Local (Ordinance #9574-05) and National Historic District Rating: Non-Contributing DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE/ SITE: Two story irregular plan house on a brick foundation covered with stucco. Brick chimney at rear. Aluminum sided, bay on east side of first story. Roof is cross gabled with asphalt shingles. Small entry steps with pent roof (an extension of the main roof) with wood console. Vinyl replacement vinyl windows throughout. ALTERATIONS: COA 2020-1209A (for the replacement of windows on the front façade) was denied. Administrative approval #2020-0904 allowed for the reconstruction and replacement of the existing deck, the addition of a new deck portion, reconstruction of the cellar door, reconstruction/pointing of the cellar entrance masonry, relocation of existing back door to location of replacement window, seal up previous opening. Vinyl windows were installed sometime after the property was surveyed in 1979. APPLICATION ITEMS: “Window replacement – See attached.” DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT: The applicant has requested approval to: i. Replace five (5) existing vinyl clad double hung replacement windows with new vinyl clad double hung replacement windows of smaller (shorter) configuration, 1. Two on the front façade, 2. Three on the east side bay window, ii. Construct new exterior knee walls and cover in new aluminum siding iii. Remove existing wrought iron window grates. The existing aluminum siding predates the establishment of the district and is visible in the 1979 survey photographs. It is unknown when the vinyl windows were installed: sometime after 1979, but before the establishment of the district. This was prior to the properties purchase by the current owner. The current windowsills are at floor height. The proposed new windowsills will be raised to 27” above floor height. New walls will be constructed. Aluminum siding does not ‘feather-in’ visually as well as wood siding. The new material will more than likely stand out by comparison to the existing siding. Staff does not believe this will detract from the character of the house any more than the existing aluminum siding already does. Were the applicant to only change two or three of the five windows of this size, staff would not support the project. By changing all the windows of this size, the house maintains some semblance of uniformity and symmetry. The Commission has reviewed and approved projects where windows were made smaller to allow for improved use and functionality of the interior space (in kitchens, for example).