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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-2023 908 Staff Report FinalSTAFF REPORT HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION COA APPLICATION INFORMATION ADDRESS 908 Jefferson Street CASE NO. COA2023-0012 OWNER David & Sandra Guess APPLICANT David & Sandra Guess REQUEST Certificate of Appropriateness for window replacement GENERAL SITE INFORMATION CURRENT ZONING H-2 Lowertown CURRENT LAND USE Neighborhood Conservation PUBLIC UTILITIES Power, gas, water PUBLIC SERVICES Storm sewer, Paducah Fire, Paducah Police SURROUNDING AREA INFORMATION SURROUNDING ZONING SURROUNDING LAND USE NORTH H-2 Neighborhood Conservation SOUTH B-3 Commercial EAST B-3 Commercial WEST B-3 Commercial Vicinity Map Front from Jefferson Street PROJECT OVERVIEW 908 Jefferson Street is an apartment building currently owned and operated by the Applicants David and Sandra Guess. It was built in 1914 and purchased by David Guess in 2012. The Applicants request a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the existing wooden windows on the property. Per the Applicants the wooden windows have deteriorated and they propose to have them replaced with a more energy efficient option. The wooden windows to be replaced are located above the front door and on the sides of the building. The glass windows/doors coming out of each unit onto the balconies and facing Jefferson Street are not to be replaced. Additionally, double hung white vinyl windows are placed throughout the building and were installed prior to the Guess’s purchase of the property. Both the wooden windows and the existing white vinyl can be seen below. Side visible from Jefferson Street Broken windows Wooden windows and current white vinyl The proposed replacement window is double hung vinyl that’s exterior will be darkly colored to match the original painted wood. The proposed window does not follow the six- panel design of the original. The submitted example and spec sheet for the new window follows. STAFF ANALYSIS The H-2 Lowertown Design Guidelines state that replacement windows must closely match the detailing of the original windows. The following elements should be considered when determining the choice of appropriate window replacement: “1) the pattern of the openings and their size; 2) proportions of the frame and sash; 3) configuration of window panes; 4) muntin profiles; 5) type of wood; 6) paint color; 7) characteristics of the glass; and 8) associated details such as arched tops, hoods, or other decorative elements” Most notably the proposed windows do not fulfill the criteria regarding the choice of material and configuration of the original panes/muntin profiles. Vinyl is not a generally accepted building material for windows in the H-2 zone. Instead, the permitted material for new windows is solid wood and wood clad in aluminum or fiberglass. Regarding the paneling replacement windows should try to match the original configuration. They should use true divided lights or simulated divided lights with permanent, built-in muntins. Permanent, built-in muntins mean that the simulated light dividers are fixed to, and are part of the window and cannot be removed. The muntins must be present on both sides of the window. As proposed the project does not meet the full criteria for staff recommendation per the H-2 Design Guidelines. However, it should be noted that as seen in the example photos the wooden windows are in poor condition and in need of replacement. If an appropriate material is selected, a six paneled configuration with permanent muntins is used, and the exterior color remains complimentary to the building then approval would be recommended. RECOMMENDED MOTIONS If the above criteria are met, staff recommends approval of the request and recommends the following motion: I move that this Commission Approve the Certificate of Appropriateness request of David and Sandra Guess for window replacement at 908 Jefferson Street. I further move that the approval be based on the following findings of fact • The proposed action follows the recommendations of the HARC by using an appropriate window material of either solid wood or aluminum/fiberglass clad wood, appropriate panel configuration, and appropriate use of color.