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Preservation Commission denied a Certificate of Appropriateness (CO) for improvements <br />,to his property. He indicated that in April of 1993 he was advised there were no <br />standards in place and a COA was not required, and in a letter dated April 22, Mr. <br />Holycross indicated he hoped he could persuade Mr. Laskowski to apply for a COA even <br />though official standards were not in place. He indicated that in May of 1993 a <br />building permits was issued, which was voided in June of 1993. He indicated the HPC <br />had denied the following items: <br />1. The installation of vinyl soffit running perpendicular to the walls. He <br />indicated the HPC had approved the use of vinyl. However, the issue is <br />whether or not it should run sideways or perpendicular. He indicated that <br />the HPC said there was no one in the neighborhood who had the soffits <br />running sideways, but Mr. Laskowski's neighbors to the north and south have <br />the vinyl installed in this manner. <br />2. Wrapping of second story window trim with aluminum. He indicated only the <br />windows on the upper story will be wrapped, the lower windows should not be <br />wrapped, however, HPC has indicated there is no difference in the upper and <br />lower windows. <br />3. Installation of vinyl bead board on front porch ceiling. He indicated HPC <br />director David Duvall had inspected this ceiling and said there was no <br />significant damage to the ceiling. He indicated that Mr. Laskowski had <br />called a pest control company and they discovered there is extensive damage <br />from water and insects to the ceiling of the porch. <br />4. Installation of wood railing and wood hand rails on front porch. He <br />indicated the rock face block was removed as a result of Mr. Laskowski's <br />niece getting her leg caught in the front porch railing while visiting and <br />it was necessary to remove the block to free the leg. He removed the rest <br />of the block to prevent further incidents. He indicated Mr. Laskowski has <br />tried to find the rock fact block, and has been told it is no longer made <br />and is not available. <br />Aladeen DeRose, attorney for the Historic Preservation Commission, indicated that <br />when a district is created the Commission does not exempt residents from a COA. She <br />indicated that Mr. Laskowski relied on a letter from Fred Holycross which was written <br />in April of 1993, however, when standards are required to have a COA. She indicated <br />that regarding the soffits, when the renovation is done, it is required to follow the <br />architectural features of the time when the home was built. She indicated that homes <br />that were renovated before the area was declared an historic district are not a part <br />of this issue. She indicated that in regard to the porch ceiling, original material <br />was required, and Mr. Duvall had inspected it and repair was possible. She indicated <br />that in regard to the windows, they have a distinct historic feature that would be <br />lost if they were wrapped. She indicated that in regard to wood railing to replace <br />rock face, Mr. Laskowski destroyed historically protected building material, and this <br />should be replaced with a replica. She indicated Mr. Laskowski did not even attempt <br />to replace with the nearest material. <br />John Oxian, President of the Historic Preservation Commission, indicated that in <br />regard to Mr. Holycross telling Mr. Laskowski that a COA was not required because <br />standards were not in place, the director of Historic Preservation does not make the <br />final decision on matters, the Commission makes the final decision. <br />Anthony Zappia, indicated that on July 27, 1993 Mr. Laskowski had applied for three <br />COAs. He indicated that both of Mr. Laskowski's neighbors to the north and south had <br />vinyl soffit running perpendicular. He indicated that Mr. Laskowski will put in <br />three times the amount he paid for the house before it is finished. <br />Mr. Laskowski showed samples of the window frames and indicated the first floor <br />windows should not be wrapped. He indicated as far as the rock face block is <br />concerned, he tore it down to prevent further injury to anyone. <br />Council Member Luecke indicated he felt it was appropriate for the HPC to require <br />COAs as soon as a district was formed, and' once a district is formed minimum <br />standards are in place until such a time as the district can complete its own <br />standards. He indicated it appears Mr. Laskowski was misinformed by Mr. Holycross <br />and he did know who else some one would go to besides the director of the HP -C for <br />advice on what procedures to follow. He indicated the mistake was compounded by the <br />issuance of a building permit, and he believed Mr. Laskowski was acting in good <br />faith. He indicated the rock fact block cannot be replicated that the petitioner's <br />proposal for a wood railing was appropriate for the age of the house; in terms of the <br />vinyl porch ceiling he felt the vinyl does replicate the look of wood; on wrapping <br />the upper window, he did not feel that 1" by 6" was particularly significant <br />architecturally; in regard to the soffit material, he indicated he felt HPC is <br />correct in that this material should be run lengthwise. Council Member Zakrzewski <br />asked Ms. DeRose when Mr. Laskowski was told he needed a COA, and she indicated it <br />was June 3, 1993. He asked the Council attorney, Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand how she <br />interpreted the Code Book, as far as a COA and a building permit. She indicated it <br />would be very difficult for a lay person to understand, since the procedure is <br />different than how it is worded in the Code Book, and the Code does not speel out the <br />procedure between the Building Department and HPC. Council member Zakrzewski <br />indicted that if the Council found that the petitioner was not required to apply for <br />a COA due to HPC's letter dated april 22, then the other three item were not an <br />issue. Council Member Zakrzewski indicated he felt that Mr. Laskowski relied on the <br />Director of the Historic Preservation Commission, Mr. Holycross, and he did not feel <br />him he needed a COA. Council Member Ladewski indicated that between April 27 and May <br />12, a building permit was issued and Mr. Laskowski contracted to have work done, then <br />on June 8, the building permit was revoked. He indicated the Director of the HP -C <br />should have some authority, and if he isn't going to have that authority there should <br />