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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric Preservation Commission September 22, 2011 AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (HPC) ROOM 803, MUNICIPAL BUILDING, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, 5:30 PM Members Present: Annie Rogers, Chair Mike Russell Adelle Dennis Anthony Booker Mike Brown Dave Barbee Harry James Alzenia Williams Those Absent: Jimmy Anderson Jimmy Anderson George A. Patty, Planning Commission Rod McAmis, License & Inspection Dept. Others Present: Lois Schmidt, Planning Commission members of the public 6 1. 11-39 – An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness – 2509 Bellevue Ave – Jesse L. Smith Construction, on behalf of Jim Benedict – install second story wood railing around existing front porch – Summerville – POSTPONED FROM AUGUST 25, 2011 Mrs. Schmidt presented the petition and pictures. Mr. Jesse Smith was present on behalf of the petition. He apologized for the lack of detail in the first presentation and hoped the additional data was sufficient. There were no concerned citizens present. Commissioner Brown stated that the spacing of the balusters was too large and should be more like 6 inches. Mr. Smith said it was just a rendition for style the spacing could be adjusted. Mrs. Schmidt suggested Mr. Smith check with License and Inspection and see what code requires. Mr. Smith agreed to meet code or have no less than 6 inches of space between the balusters. A MOTION was made by Commissioner Brown that 11-39 be APPROVED with the following condition: The railing spindles will be spaced to meet building codes or no less than 6 inches apart whatever is stricter. MOTION was seconded by Commissioner Dennis. MOTION carried. 2. 11-40- An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness – 2227 Pickens Road – Martin Cochran, on behalf of Patricia Duggan – allow a freestanding open carport (12 x 40) to remain, structure has a matching roof line and similar materials to the existing house – Summerville Mrs. Schmidt presented the petition and pictures. Mr. Martin Cochran was present as the contractor for the petition. Mr. Cochran stated that he came into the project after it was already started and was made aware of the issues that needed to be addressed. The received Board of Zoning Appeals approval for the side setback and area coverage and now were seeking HPC approval for the design so they can resume construction. The family is looking for protection for their vehicles and boat from the trees that cover the driveway and drop debris. Heavy vegetation shields the house and this carport from most view. There were no concerned citizens present. Commissioner Dennis stated that she has had calls of concern from area residents and quoted from the Summerville historic guidelines that states “….new garages or outbuildings should be located to the rear of the main house or they should be placed to the side of the main house without extending in front of the centerline of the house….” Commissioner Brown agreed and said this building did not meet either criteria. Commissioner Dennis agreed the property was overgrown but that makes this carport the focal point of the property rather than the historic home. Commissioner Brown agreed that for a detached accessory structure this is very significant. Commissioner Dennis questioned whether the structure could be reworked and attached as a porte cochere. Mr. Cochran stated that might be possible and the slope of the roofline could be reworked to lessen its height and impact. Commissioner Brown stated that he for one would need to see a rendering of the changes. Mr. Cochran asked whether it could be attached with a valley between the house and the addition. Commissioner Dennis suggested that would not be appropriate. Chairperson Rogers asked why it was not constructed in the rear yard. Mr. Cochran said there is an existing greenhouse immediately behind this accessory structure that the family did not want to remove and an occupied cottage as well in the rear yard. The property also slopes to the back of the parcel and the current location was the most level. He stated that he was willing to redesign the structure and that the shrubbery will stay so the building will be shielded. Commissioner Brown said that is not an issue since a future owner or even the Duggans could decide to clear the shrubbery and then this large accessory building would be highly visible. He said the issue before the HPC was setting a precedent of allowing a very large accessory structure to be placed in front of the main historic structure. He does not dispute the family wanted protection for their vehicles but wondered if the structure could be shortened and/or moved behind the center line of the main house to meet the guidelines. Mr. Cochran said they want to cover the boat and at least one vehicle. Commissioner Brown said the HPC would consider options but the petitioner would have to redraw the proposal and present it. Mr. Cochran said shortening might be possible but attaching to the house would close off side windows and windows into the house’s basement and he isn’t sure how the family would feel about that. Commissioner Russell stated that he was concerned with water runoff and damage to the neighbors he would like to see an new plan that also showed on water runoff would be accomplished. Mr. Cochran said gutters can control water runoff. Commissioner Dennis stated that it is still a design issue. She questioned why the second driveway on the other side could not be used for the carport. Mr. Cochran said that driveway served the cottage and the owners did not want to disturb that situation. Mr. Cochran agreed to work with the owners to redesign the project. A MOTION was made by Commissioner James to postpone 11-40 until the October 27, 2011 meeting; seconded by Commissioner Booker. MOTION carried. 3. 11-41 – An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness – 1114 Ellis Street – Paul King, on behalf of 1106 Broad Street LLC – replace existing chain link fence gates along Ellis Street with wrought iron gates and paint remaining chain link black along Ellis Street (existing chain link will remain on side and rear property lines) - Downtown Mrs. Schmidt presented the petition and pictures. Commissioner Dennis recused herself on the grounds of a conflict of interest. Mr. Alan Venable was present on behalf of the petition. Mr. Venable said this parking lot is to be used as overflow and guest parking for the residents of the redeveloped Antiques Emporium and so they have removed the chain link gate in favor of an electronic wrought iron gate and have added a pedestrian gate that will also be locked. The remaining chain link will be painted to black to make it less conspicuous. They will also return with a parking lot lighting plan at a future date. There were no concerned citizens present. A MOTION was made by Commissioner James that 11-41 be APPROVED; seconded by Commissioner Barbee. MOTION carried. 3. Minutes from August 25, 2011 A MOTION was made by Commissioner Booker that Minutes from Augusta 25, 2011 be APPROVED; seconded by Commissioner James. MOTION carried. MEETING ADJOURNED