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RECOMMENDATION The Snyder's propose to construct a new garage with living space above. To comply with the covenants of the Knollwood development, which absorbed the farmhouse, the garage must connect to the home in some manner. The Snyder's propose to connect the garage to the home with a covered walkway or breezeway. (See proposed plans) They would also like to construct an enclosed porch or conservancy. k.) The two -stall garage and enclosed entryway addition occurred sometime between 1978, the year of the first survey of the property, and 2000, the landmark designation year of the residence. Because the garage is less than fifty years old and was built in an inappropriate manner and with inappropriate materials, it is considered non- contributing and inappropriate to the historically significant portion of the structure. Staff recommends approval of the removal of the two -stall garage and enclosed entryway addition. 3.) In place of the non - contributing garage, the Snyder's propose to build an enclosed porch or conservancy. This addition would attach to the north elevation of the smaller of the two brick ells. The pitch of the gable roof would match the pitch of the existing roof. The new conservancy would employ architectural details from the historically significant portion of the residence including the gable returns, pilasters, and oval fanlight, but the new construction would be distinguishable from the construction of the historically contributing portion of the home. The porch addition would not cover singular architectural features, would not detract from the form of the landmark. The porch would be more appropriate than the existing addition. Staff recommends approval of the preliminary plans for the porch addition. Windows and doors proportional with and similar in style and materials to the existing windows and doors would be appropriate. Siding materials, specific windows and doors, could be reviewed by the Commission's architect when the information becomes available. �.) The construction of a new three -stall garage is also part of the application. The proposed site location is to the east of the new porch, the existing driveway, and the row of five mature trees. The proposed garage has a barn- like quality as it would be two - stories tall, have a cross gabled cupola, a cross gabled roof, and doors that evoke historic barn doors. Unfortunately, staff does not have any photographs of or knowledge about the barns and outbuildings that may have stood near the residence. The garage design also draws from the design of the residence with the gable returns, 6 over 6 double hung windows. The two windows on the north fagade break what could have been a very long blank wall. The garage would be frame construction with a brick veneer over the concrete footing and block foundation. Bricks of a similar dimension and texture would be appropriate. Concerning the location of the new garage in relation to the house, staff finds the garage would be far enough away from the house to not impinge greatly upon its formal qualities (see site plan). The garage and walkway additions themselves follow a pattern by which the additions were constructed, each gable turned perpendicularly from the previous portion of the structure with a chimney peaking above the gable (or the cupola in the case of the proposed garage). The proposed construction would not remove any of the mature trees from the tree row. Staff recommends approval of the proposed preliminary plans for the garage. Specific siding materials, windows, doors, etc. could be reviewed by the Commission's architect when that information becomes available. �.) To connect the garage to the new enclosed porch, the Snyder's propose to construct a covered walkway. The walkway will have a gable roof, four square piers that match the existing piers on the south portico, and four matching pilasters. This open but covered walkway would be an appropriate addition while creating the least amount visual disruption to the tree row. Staff recommends approval of the plans for the covered walkway. ?.) The site plan shows the proposed location of a new driveway and parking pad. Because the garage would be moved to the east of the house, the existing drive could not be entirely utilized. The new drive and parking pad will not remove or harm the existing trees. According to the site plan, the new pad will not extend beyond the front setback of the farmhouse. Though the new pad will cover a large amount of grass, staff recommends approval of the proposed driveway and parking pad. 2