Minutes

May 3, 2007

North End - Huntington Heights Architectural Review Board.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.

Board members in attendance:

Steve Hudak, Carolyn Hughes, Mary Kayaselcuk, Phil Shook, Deidre Wells. 

(The Board currently operates with vacancy).

Absent:

Fred Whittaker informed the Board at the previous meeting that he would not be able to attend the May meeting.

Staff in attendance:  Pat Diggs, David Watson

The minutes of April 6, 2007 meeting were approved with minor modifications.

Motion to approve: Hudak

Second:  Wells

Motion passed unanimous

Application COA-07-190 348 58^th Street.  Sean Marsh

This is an application to replace all 6/1 double-hung windows in this house with 6/1 vinyl double-hung windows.  Mr. Shook reviewed the application and the relevant section of the Guidelines.  Mr. Shook also noted for the record that the applicant appeared before the Board in April for a pre-application review.  The replacement windows match the appearance of the original windows.  The trim was noted to be flat and as such wrapping of the trim, exclusive of the drip cap, would be permitted.

Mr. Marsh noted that in the future he would like to replace the casement windows on the sleeping porch.  He was told that such an endeavor would require another application for a COA.  

There was no public comment.

Motion to approve: Wells

Second:  Kayaselcuk

Motion passed unanimous

Application COA-07-191  315 58^th Street.  Patricia and Terry Ward.

This is an application to relocate a front yard fence, and install new identical fencing and a gate in the front yard.  Mr. Shook reviewed the application and the relevant section of the Guidelines, noting that a picket fence does not have a defined “good” side that must be displayed towards the street.

There was no public comment.

Motion to approve as presented:  Wells

Second: Hudak

Motion passed unanimous

Application COA-07-192  231 54^th Street.  Richard Byars. 

This application to replace a slate roof with architectural style shingles was withdrawn.  The applicant decided to repair the existing slate rather than replace it.

Application COA-07-193  335 60^th Street.  John and Carolyn Hughes

Mrs. Hughes recused herself from the Board and moved to the other side of the table to explain her application.  

This application was submitted for the following work:

Build a deck 20.3’ x 10’ in depth with angled edges to avoid the existing driveway.  Materials will be concrete and brick.  The concrete will have a stamped surface and the brick sides will match the house foundation. 

The railing will be iron with square stanchions.   The steps will be concrete with iron railings.

A 36” wide door will be installed where a window currently exists..  The door will have lights ½ the length of the door.  There will be 12” matching side lights.

There will be one window on the side and three windows on the back.

Mr. Shook reviewed the application and reviewed the appropriate sections of the Guidelines.  Mrs. Hughes noted that the proposed modifications would be compliant with the Virginia Department of Historical Resources’ tax credit compliance guidelines.

Mr. Shook made the observation that the wall was built with studs on 16” centers and that there might be some difficulty installing the 36” door as proposed.  He stated that the applicant might also consider installing French doors with ¾ lights as a possible option.  Mrs. Hughes stated that she would take Mr. Shook’s advice into consideration.

There was no public comment.

Motion to approve as amended to allow the use of French doors:  Kayaselcuk

Second: Wells

Motion passed: unanimous.

Old Business

Request for Guideline proposals.  The Board continues to collect proposed changes to the Guidelines for the October or November annual update.  Mrs. Hughes stated that she would like to consider requiring muntins to be fixed to the outside of the window panes. 

Members of the North End Huntington Heights neighborhoods are encouraged to submit proposed Guideline changes to:

David Watson
Department of Planning
2400 Washington Avenue
Newport News, VA  23608
dawatson@nngov.com
(757) 926 3833

New Business

Mr. Shook brought to the attention of staff possible Guideline violations occurring at 231 54^th Street.  Referring to pictures taken of the structure several years ago, it was not that the following activity had occurred:

1)     Wrapping of trim.

2)    Boxing in open eaves, porch, and side bump out.

3)    Columns have been changed.  This may be a temporary state of repair.  However, the final columns must returned to the tapered style of the original.

4)    Tongue and groove flooring from the front porch has been removed.  It must be replace with matching tongue and groove flooring.

5)    The porch and stairway railings have been removed and need to be replaced.

The Board stated a need to change the cover art of the ARB Guidelines.  Mr. Watson suggested soliciting community input for the cover house, perhaps putting a different house up each year.

Adjourn.