HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Consider the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) request for the property located at 218 North Columbia Street - COA 18-56.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Gabrielle Mattingly
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Submitted for Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) review.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is an approximately 7,333 square foot parcel located on the east side of Columbia Street, just south of North Street, with a common street address of 218 N. Columbia Street. The property is zoned R2 (Single-family and Low Density Multiple-Family Residence District) and is currently improved with a two and half story, American Foursquare style house and two detached garages.
Based on city record, one COA was applied for in 2010 for the subject property. This COA was requested to allow for the installation of vinyl siding over the home’s existing wood siding, fascia, soffits and windows. The proposed improvement was not consistent with the recommendations of the Historic Building Design and Resource Manual. The Manual states that it should be discouraged to, “clad over original wood siding with synthetic siding materials such as vinyl and aluminum siding, asphalt siding, metal siding, and artificial stone”. This application was denied by the Historic Preservation Commission on August 26, 2010 (COA #10-2177).
The subject property is identified as a “significant” structure in the 2007 Architectural and Historical Survey for the Historic District. A “significant” structure is identified as being at least 50 years old and possesses architectural distinction in one of the following when compared with other buildings of its type: architectural style or type valuable for a study of a period, style, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials; exceptional craftsmanship; work of a master builder or architect. Structures that are identified as “significant” also possess a high degree of integrity in design, materials, workmanship, setting, location, feeling, and association.
DISCUSSION:
The owners, Stephanie and Brett Weiss, seek a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to allow for changes to the façade that include: addition of two dormers, addition of shutters and brackets, repairs to the foundation base and vertical lattice, replacement of the stairs and railing system, replacement of three windows with vinyl or fiberglass, new wood siding and asphalt shingles, and a new front door. More detailed information regarding these individual changes is provided below:
Dormers
The petitioner is proposing to add two dormers to the property, one on the north elevation and one on the south elevation. These dormers are placed on the interior façades, but since they can be seen from the street, they require review by the HPC.
This change has been reviewed by Naper Settlement staff who identified that the addition of dormers in the manner proposed is a common way to increase the square footage of American Foursquares and has been done on other homes in Naperville to date. The Historic Building Design and Resource Manual encourages the use of dormers to increase interior headroom height as opposed to raising the eave or ridge height of the roof and identifies the American Foursquare style to have dormers. Given that the overall roof line is maintained and that the change is consistent with the style of the home, staff is in support and recommends approval by the HPC.
Addition of Shutters and Brackets
The petitioner is proposing to add shutters and brackets to the home. Currently, the subject property has been maintained as an American Foursquare style home and is consistent in ornamentation with the simple wood trim. Review by Naper Settlement staff identified that the additions of shutters and brackets will add Craftsman style elements onto the home that are not consistent with the American Foursquare style. Additionally, the Historic Building Design and Resource Manual discourages the addition of new shutters where none previously existed, or that are not typical of the style. The Manual does not provide guidelines for the addition of brackets, but does not identify brackets as being consistent with the American Foursquare style. While brackets are not consistent to the style, two homes in the historic district that are American Foursquare have brackets (150 and 154 N. Columbia); other American Foursquares within the district also have shutters. Overall, while the proposed improvements are not necessarily consistent with the American Foursquare style, they can be found on other similar houses within the district and their addition will not permanently alter the underlying style of the home.
Replacement of Windows
The petitioner requests to replace three existing wood windows on the front façade with vinyl or fiberglass windows of the same style. The City of Naperville Municipal Code (Section 6-11-8:2) requires a COA subject to Historic Preservation Commission Approval for any proposed windows that are not wood or aluminum clad wood in material.
Currently, the subject property has windows that are wood and leaded glass in material, double hung/fixed in style with 1/1 and diamond configurations. The 2007 Architectural and Historical Survey for the Historic District identifies the existing wood 1/1 windows as being significant features to the home. The petitioner has identified that the proposed windows will be exact replacements of the existing as far as style and size are considered.
The Historic Building Design and Resource Manual provides guidelines for windows maintenance, repair and replacement. These guidelines identify what is encouraged, acceptable and discouraged. Within these guidelines, it states that the installation of vinyl replacement windows are discouraged. It is encouraged to replace the windows in-kind with the original material, size, and design; however, a COA to permit vinyl replacement windows was recently approved by the HPC in November 2017.
Front Door Replacement
The petitioner is seeking approval to remove the existing front door and replace it with a wood door of an alternative style. The existing front door is wood with a full centered glass panel. While the Naperville Municipal Code permits the administrative approval of in-kind replacements of doors with use of wood or original material (Section 6-11-8:1.1), since the proposed door represents a change in style, HPC review is required.
The Historic Building Design and Resource Manual identifies American Foursquare style homes to have front doors that have a large single pane of glass in the top portion of the door. Naper Settlement staff reviewed the proposal and has stated that the style of door proposed is craftsman-influenced and is not consistent with the style of the home.
Other Minor Alterations
The petitioner is proposing to repair the foundation base and vertical lattice and replace the wood siding and asphalt shingles. Since these changes are all in-kind replacements, they would be approved administratively and therefore do not require review by the Historic Preservation Commission.
The 2007 Architectural and Historical Survey for the Historic District identified the subject property to have wrought iron railings at the front steps that are not historic. The petitioner is proposing to remove the non-historic wrought iron railings and replace them with wood. The use of wood as a porch component does not require review by the HPC and can be approved administratively. The petitioner is also proposing to replace the existing stairs with composite decking materials. The use of composite decking materials is administratively approved and does not require review by the HPC.
Staff supports the repair of the foundation base and vertical lattice, the replacement of the wood siding and asphalt shingles, the replacement of the wood railing, and the use of the composite decking materials and recommends their administrative approval.
Key Takeaways
• The petitioner is requesting approval of COA 18-56 in order to: add two dormers, add shutters and brackets, repair the foundation base and vertical lattice, replace the stairs and railing system, replace three windows with vinyl or fiberglass, put in new wood siding and asphalt shingles, and alter the front door at 218 N. Columbia Street.
• Staff supports and recommends approval of the following to the HPC: addition of two dormers, foundation base and vertical lattice repairs, replacement of stairs with composite decking materials, replacement of railing system with wood, new wood siding that matches existing wood siding, and replacement of asphalt shingles.
• Staff recommends further discussion of the following by the HPC: addition of shutters and brackets, replacement of three wood windows with vinyl or fiberglass, and alteration of existing front door.