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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEPB 11-03-09 Fact SheetITEM 5 HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION BOARD STAFF REPORT NAME Spring Garden Historic District ADDRESS 811 NW 7th Street Road HP -2009-118 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for partial demolition and new construction, to include the installation of a perimeter fence and the enclosure of the garage. ANALYSIS OF CONDITIONS The building is a one-story contributing property built in 1940 within the Spring Garden Historic District, facing southwest with the rear lot directly on the Seybold Canal. The structure is of masonry block construction with wooden floor joists above a crawl space and wooden roof rafters. The existing home is 20—below the flood elevation, and subject to constant flooding. As a result, the wood joists have rotted and compromised the structural integrity of the home. The architect asserts that the rotting has also compromised the walls and roof of the home. Tie beams of the roof have cracked due to uneven settling caused by foundation failure. Major spalling of the concrete and exposure of the reinforcing bars (roof level tie beams) may also be a product of differential settling. BACKGROUND The owner of this property presented an application for demolition of the existing residence and new construction before the HEP Board at the public hearing of May 5, 2009. By a vote of 7 to 1, the HEP Board issued Resolution HEPB-2009-26 denying the Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition. The intent of this programme is to retain a sufficient portion of the original residence so that the disruption to the streetscape is minimized. The front portion of the house (slightly past the roof ridge line of the original gabled roof) will be restored, and a two story addition built behind it. Many of the design elements present in the first proposal for new construction are integrated into this proposal, but extra attention has been paid to the integration of the new construction with the existing structure that will be preserved. PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF EXISTING HOME Plans have been submitted for partial demolition of the existing home. The portion of the home that would be demolished is behind the 'existing roof ridge line. The retention of the front portion of the original home will include: 1) New impact -resistant windows will be installed to match the mullion and light configuration of the originals (from tax photo). 2) The existing roof will be re -roofed using flat clay tile (white). November 3, 2009 TEM 5 PROPOSED NEW CONSTRUCTION 3) The slump brick detailing on. the: facadewill be retained as well as the two slump brick veneered columns at the entrance. 4) The original carport. will` be enclosed. A garage door will be installed in the arch facing the street. The side arches will be closed in and.:":remembered" by a surface treatment that is created by a slight recession of the stucco to outline the shape of the arches. 5) The exterior treatment .will be a smooth stucco to match the original finish:: The paint -color of the wall mass will be light beige within the first three intensities of a paint strip and can be approved administratively. NOTE:.BECAUSE.. THE EXISTING HOME IS BELOW THE REQUIRED FL. Oda. ELEVATION, THE CITY'S BUIDLING OFFICIAL -HAS RULED THAT THE RESTORED PORTION OF THE EXISTING. NOME: CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY KIND OF HABITABLE SPACE AND WILL ESSENTIALLY BECOME A HUGE FOYER The plans depict.the-architect's.and homeowner's efforts to integrate an;addition to the -eXisting home so that it conveys the look and.feel of the ne.ighborhood; while allowing the owner more diving space. The plans depict a home which is comparable in height and scale; directional emphasis; setbacks (front and side); and shape to its neighboring homes (please refer to the contextual photographic analysis provided by the applicant). The new 'two. -story construction is significantly recessed from the front fapade and: begins approximately 14' to 22' behind the existing roof. ridge. This separation creates a clear differentiation between old and new. The, proposed design. of the addition uses the basic construction materials and texture of the existing home, but introduces some modern elements clearly distinguishing the old from the new. The following points summarize the careful consideration the architect and owner, have made in relating the new construction to.the neighborhood, as well as describing some of the major design elements -of -the -new -construction: 1) The hipped roof with large overhanging eaves is a character defining trait, of many homes in the district, including the neighboring home. 2) The proposed roof material (flat clay tile) matches the original roofing material found on the home. The applicant is proposing white clay tile for the addition as well. 3) The railing on the second -story balcony facing the street will be a simple vertical rail design in keeping with the vocabulary of the original, home. . November 3, 2009 2 4) On the second floor of the main elevation, the fenestration is aligned with the first floor, and will be a casement window type. 4) A masonry and picket wall will replace the existing chain link fence, The wall is designed as a 2'6" masonry base capped by a 2'6" metal picket, bringing the height to a total of five ( 5) feet which is consistent with the Spring Garden Historic District Design Guidelines. 5) The applicant proposes to pave the driveway/ walkway area with permeable square pavers in a light color. This approach the architect has taken in this project represents a successful compromise between the total demolition of the home and an attempt to correct the structural and building code deficiencies. The proposal meets the intent of the Secretary of the Interior's Standard #9, which states: New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, scale, and architectural features to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. RECOMMENDATION The Preservation Officer recommends that the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness be approved, subject to the following conditions, because the proposed work is consistent with the historic and architectural character of the district in terms of size, scale, design and materials and complies with the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation": 1. All glass shall be clear 2. The side of the building facing the one-story home shall be articulated in a way that will break up the substantial wall mass on the neighboring side. Several possibilities include the use of score lines in the stucco to differentiate the first and second stories; the use of a slump brick to articulate the base of the addition, and the installation of generous and hardy landscape. November 3, 2009