Minutes

March 1, 2007

North End - Huntington Heights Architectural Review Board.

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm.

 
Board members in attendance:

 
Steve Hudak, Carolyn Hughes, Mary Kayaselcuk, Phil Shook, Deirdre Wells, Fred Whittaker. 

 (The Board has one vacancy).

 
Staff in attendance:  David Watson

The minutes of the February 1, 2007 meeting were approved with minor modifications.

Motion to approve: Whitaker         

Second: Wells

Motion passed unanimous

Application COA-07-184  331 52^nd Street  Ben Fitzer.

Part 1 of this is an application to remove an auxiliary furnace chimney that is no longer in use.  The chimney does not provide any structural support to the house.  Mr. Shook read the related section of the ordinance.  Mr. Whitaker asked if the chimney had already been removed.  The applicant said it was removed when the roof was replaced.  Mr. Whitaker then expressed is strong concern regarding retroactive approvals and the precedent set.  Chairman Shook agreed with Mr. Whitaker but reminded the Board that Mr. Fitzer had appeared before the Board two times during the open comment period to discuss this issue.  Mr. Fitzer was told at those times that there did not seem to be any reason to deny the application once submitted.  Mr. Fitzer apologized for acting prior to approval and explained that he was working under a highly constrained time frame.  He was informed that acting without a COA put him at risk for denial.

Motion to approve the removal of the chimney:  Hudak

Second: Wells

Motion passed unanimous

Part 2 of this application is for the installation of a rear yard fence.  Chairman Shook reviewed the application and the related section of the guidelines.  The applicant was reminded that the guidelines require the finished side of the fence should face out, and that the fence should be painted, stained or sealed within one year of installation.  Mr. Whitaker asked if the large gate would open inward.  Mr. Fitzer responded yes.  Mr. Hudak advised the applicant that, though not a requirement, he should make sure that the fence installer uses mixed and poured concrete rather than a dry “Quickrete” powder, stating that this would ensure that the posts stay true.

Motion to approve the installation of a rear yard fence as submitted:  Kayaselcuk

Second:  Hudak

Motion passed unanimous

Application COA-07-185  5105 Huntington Avenue  Leni Gray-Wilson

This is an application to replace fourteen double-hung 6/1 windows. 

Chairman Shook reviewed the application and the related section of the guidelines.  Some of the existing windows had wrapped trim.  Those which did not have wrapped trim had flat wood trim.  Such trim is allowed to be wrapped at the applicant’s discretion.   Ms. Wilson stated that the windows on the sleeping porch would not be replaced but would instead be renovated.  No additional windows would be wrapped.

Chairman Shook stated that there was a demand for the wavy type glass in the old windows and encouraged the applicant consider saving, selling or donating the glass to a glazier or the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store shop.

Motion to approve the application as submitted:  Whitaker

Second:  Wells

Motion passed unanimous

 
Old Business

Photography of houses in the neighborhood continues.

 
New Business

Board members and staff have been asked to review the guidelines for potential updates for a September/October update.

 
Staff was asked to find the status of redevelopment at the old Riverside Hospital and nurses dorm.

Adjourn