HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Consider the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for 211 N Wright Street - HPC-0006-2025
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Brad Iwicki, Assistant Planner
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Submitted for Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) review.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is an approximately 6,750 square foot parcel north of School Street on the west side of N Wright Street, with a common street address of 211 N Wright Street. The property is zoned R2 (Single-family and Low Density Multiple-Family Residence District) and is currently improved with a two-story residence, constructed in 1900, which currently exhibits no prominent architectural style, and a detached garage adjacent to the Sleight Street alley. The principal structure is listed as “non-contributing” to the Local Historic District and in “good” condition in the 2008 Architectural and Historical Survey (“2008 Survey”). The residence is a “non-contributing” structure to the Federal Historic District.
Prior changes to the original structure include a major alteration and 2-story addition to the front of the home that may have enclosed a 2-story porch, vinyl siding, and replacement vinyl windows in original openings on the side elevations. These changes predate the 2008 Survey.
At the time of the 2008 Survey, there were no significant features observed on the building.
Prior COA Approvals
• None
DISCUSSION:
The applicant and property owner, Angie Jia, seeks a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to allow for a full renovation of the primary façade of the two-story residence, including a new covered front porch, windows, doors, and exterior materials following the removal of all existing architectural features.
The existing principal structure is non-conforming with the 25’ front yard setback required in the R2 zoning district as the building is currently 20’ 6” from the front property line. The proposed improvements will maintain the existing building setback and will not expand the footprint of the residence. The demolition required to construct the addition includes removal of the existing vinyl siding, vinyl windows, front porch overhang, wood front door and stairs, chimney and asphalt shingles, as well as the wood shake siding surrounding the top floor gable window.
The changes to the facade are designed to represent the American Four-square architectural style. Work to the primary facade includes installing fiber cement exterior materials, three pairs of casement windows, a half-width one-story covered porch, a new bay window and alterations to the area of the gable window containing fiber cement wood shake siding. The proposed façade will feature 1/1 double-hung fiberglass windows, a new wood front door with one panel in the lower section and a large pane of glass in the upper portion, and stucco foundation.
Minor Work
The proposed improvements that are considered minor work can be approved administratively by staff; however, the Historic Preservation Commission may provide comments on the proposed changes should they have specific concerns or additional considerations.
Existing vinyl siding, corner trim, and aluminum clad frieze board are being removed resulting in removal of more than 50% of the material on the primary façade. Since the proposed material is fiber cement, the improvements are considered minor. The Historic Building Design and Resource Manual (“HBDRM”) encourages removal of synthetic siding such as vinyl and lists fiber cement siding materials as an acceptable alternative.
The 2008 Survey lists the foundation as parged concrete, although the existing vinyl siding installed over the foundation prevents visibility of the parged concrete on the primary façade. The HBDRM states that it is acceptable to remove and replace stucco/parged concrete or repair damaged sections. If damaged sections are repaired, it is encouraged that control joints are installed to alleviate cracking if no such joints exist.
The 2008 Survey found that the existing fireplace chimney is not a significant feature of the home and is acceptable to remove per the HBDRM. Staff notes that the fireplace is not shown on the existing or proposed floor plans which may indicate that the fireplace is non-functional. Chimneys that are no longer being used to provide heating should be capped to seal the home.
Major Work
The proposed improvements that are considered major work shall be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission. The HPC purview extends beyond the primary façade and may include improvements on a secondary façade which are visible from the public street measured by a line of sign perpendicular to a primary façade per Section 6-11-8:2 of the Naperville Municipal Code.
Generally, the overall extent of the modifications to the principal structure’s primary façade requires a certificate of appropriateness per section 6-11-8:2.9. since the reconstruction of the primary façade will not match the original improvement. The petitioner submitted an exhibit from Montgomery Ward & Co. which is noted to be an advertisement for the original residence. The proposed improvements do not match this exhibit. The attached Architectural Plans for the Wang-Jia House Addition-Remodel reflect the demolition and new construction proposed.
The petitioner determined that fiberglass windows are ideal for this project. Due to the HBDRM discouraging the use of fiberglass windows, justification for the material choice has been provided in the Factors for Consideration. A COA subject to Historic Preservation Commission review is required due to the new window openings and the material chosen. The Code, Section 6-11-8:2.2. states that a COA is required for, “any work that will result in a new opening, a change in style or opening or use of material other than wood or aluminum clad wood”. Vinyl and fiberglass window material are discouraged. Acceptable replacement materials include wood or aluminum clad wood.
The proposed half-width single-story covered porch is a new enclosure as the existing home does not have a front porch. The HBDRM discourages a new front porch where none existing originally or that is not typical of the architectural style. It is important to note the lack of architectural style due to past alterations to the residence. Code Section 6-11-8:2.5. Porches, states that a COA subject to HPC review is required for, “any work that would result in new enclosure, a change in size or style, or use of material that is not listed under Section 6-11-8:1:1.1.4”. The proposed covered porch is comprised of wood porch stairs, cedar skirting, fiber cement skirt board, cedar decking, rail and posts, and a fiber cement clad porch column. Porches typical of the American Foursquare style are full-width, single story with low sloped hipped roof. The proposed porch design is not aligned with the architectural style that the façade is intended to represent. The HPC deliberation should consider whether the proposed porch relates to the style and scale of the home.
The HBDRM finds the use of wood acceptable for the components of the new porch, and fiber cement as an acceptable material for the porch column. The HBDRM does recommend wood or original materials for the skirting. While the skirting is proposed to be wood, the material of the skirt board is proposed to be fiber cement. Skirt board may be considered as part of the overall skirting or as trim. It is acceptable for trim to consist of fiber cement.
Work on the front porch includes a new wood front door designed typical of the American Four-square architectural style featuring a large single pane of glass in the upper portion and one panel in the lower portion. The new door is proposed to replace the existing wood door that features a small window in the top portion and two vertical panels below. Due to the change of style, the improvements to the front door are considered major work per Section 6-11-8:2.1., “Doors: Any work that will result in a new opening, a change in style or opening, or use of material that is not wood or original material”. The HBDRM finds it acceptable to replace the door with one that is appropriate for the style of the home.
The purpose of the Historic Building Design and Resource Manual is to provide information to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Naperville’s important historic buildings and neighborhoods and to be used as a guide for rehabilitation and maintenance of buildings. The HDBRM attachments contain excerpts for each component related to the project. These pages explain the general guidelines for rehabilitating and maintaining each component including the practices which are encouraged, acceptable, and discouraged.
Factors for Consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness Application
Review of COA applications are conducted based on the compatibility with the Factors for Consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness Application (Section 6-11-8:5; Certificate of Appropriateness Required). The owner has detailed their justification of the factors considered. Their justification is included in the attachments for review by the HPC.
Key Takeaways
The applicant requests approval of HPC-0006-2025 to allow for a full renovation of the primary façade of the two-story residence, including a new covered front porch, windows, doors, and exterior materials following the removal of all existing architectural features.