Historic Zoning Commission

Fourth and Gill H-1: Level II

12-D-17-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Major repair or replacement of materials or architectural elements

The project consists of the reconstruction of the porch roof beam structure, upgrading the porch flooring, and repairs/replacement of the wooden elements of the front fence. Project scope includes:
remove the non-orginal low-slope porch roof (1.5 : 12 slope), deteriorated beams, and rafters.
construct new porch roof with steeper slope (2.5 : 12 slope) to match original slope
the overall height for the front structural support beam to be 12" to 13" instead of the current 8"
replace rafter tails in-kind
salvage existing plank roof decking to the extent possible; new decking, if needed, will match existing
install new slate porch floor on top of existing concrete floor slab
add balustrade to north end and side of porch where required, with 2x3 pickets and Craftsman-type rails
repair concrete fence piers as required

Site Info

One-story frame with brick veneer wallcovering. Front gable roof with asphalt shingle roof covering, paired casement windows and flanking wood louvered vents in front gable, casements with Prairie transoms and sidelights on remainder of windows. One-story full front porch with porte cochere, brick posts on truncated brick piers. Exterior end brick chimney. Brick foundation. Rectangular plan. (contributing)

1) The house is a contributing structure within the Fourth and Gill H-1 Overlay as well as within the National Register Historic District.

2) The proposed steeper pitch for the porch roof to match the original was determined by observation and documentation of an early roofing tar stain on the brick above a front window. Porch roof elements were replace in 2003 and 2009 based on MPC records. There are other patch marks on the house that indicate the original position of porch beams and roof slope (that do not align with the current construction).

3) Although the new porch roof support beams will be larger than the current beams, the current ones are not original. An overall height for the main beam of 12" to13" instead of the current 8" beam is proposed to avoid future sag as has occurred in the current porch roof. This size of beam is still appropriate in scale to the very solid and robust porch, and it is slightly recessed.

4) The rafter tails at the porch eaves are highly deteriorated and will be replaced in-kind.

5) The proposed slate tile floor will cover an existing concrete floor and not a wooden floor. The concrete floor appears to be orignial and is deteriorated. Various masonry materials were utilized in Craftsman architecture. The floor will not be highly visible from the street.

6) The north portion of the front porch is at a height above ground at which a guard rail is required by the building code. The proposed guard rail is to be designed into a simple Craftsman-style wood balustrade with 2x3 wood pickets, and will not detract since it will only be located on the portions of the porch that are on the side and the back, and not across the front.