Historic Zoning Commission

Fourth and Gill H-1: Level II

2-K-12-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Replacement/repair

Replace façade windows with wood simulated divided lights with shadow bar in front-facing windows. Rplace all other windows with wood two-over-two simulated divided lite with no shadow bar. Replace front porch roof with corrugated metal as per included cut sheet or EDPM rubberized roofing membrane.

Site Info

Two-story frame with weatherboard wall covering. Cross-gable roof with standing seam metal roof covering, sawn wood bargeboard and sawn wood round attic vent. Two-over- two double-hung windows. One-story full front porch with square wood columns with engaged pilasters, sawn wood brackets at cornice and columns. Stuccoed brick foundation. Rear elevation with side-gabled roof offset form front porch, and one-story shed-roof enclosed rear porch.

Windows:
The 4th and Gill Design Guidelines state under "Historic Characteristics" for windows that:
Windows are a very important architectural element of Fourth and Gill's buildings, helping to define each building's character. . . Windows are often a prime target of rehabilitation projects. In order to judge the necessity of replacing windows, a careful survey should be made of the windows and their condition. This survey should include a consideration of their value in the overall architectural design of the building.

The windows on the front-facing and southeast-facing facades of the house do not appear to be rotted, and although covered with layers of paint, could be repaired. In order to achieve more energy efficiency, storm windows with white factory finish to match framing could be installed as per window guideline #3. There is a set of larger character-defining twin windows on the second floor of the southeast-facing side of the house that should be preserved.

The front window beneath the porch roof is character-defining and although currently inoperable, its large size at one time provided access to and from the porch. Its replacement would likely need to be customized.

Given that the window frames and sashes on the northwest-facing side of the house are severely deteriorated with rotting wood and disentegrated muntins, staff recommends approval of their replacement with two-over-two simulated divided lites. Recommended Condition: The two foremost windows on NW side should include a shadow bar between muntins.

The 4th and Gill Window Guidelines on page 11 recommend that:
1) Original windows should be reused.





However, the guidelines provide an alternative when the windows are serverely deteriorated stating:
4) "If replacement windows are necessary, they should be the same overall size as the originals, with the same pane division, muntin style, and exterior depth, width and profile. False muntins or should not be used."
The two foremost windows, one on the first and one on the second floor should have the shadow bar between the muntins to provide depth and definition to achieve a more original look. The windows to the rear of these are not highly visible from the r-o-w; therefore, staff believes it would not be inappropriate to eliminate the shadow bar from these.

There appears to be only one original two-over-two window on the rear of the house (2nd level), and approval is recommended to replace all rear windows with two-over-two simulated divided lites without the shadow bar since these are not visible from the public r-o-w.

Accessible window sashes in the house have tested positive for lead-based paint.

Porch Roofing:
The 4th and Gill Design Guidelines state under "Historic Characteristics" for Roofs that:
The roof coverings in Fourth and Gill are now nearly all modern asphalt shingles. There were many original roofing materials, such as standing seam metal or metal shingles . . .

The 4th and Gill Roof Guidelines on page 10 recommend that:

4) Materials used in roofing existing buildings or new construction should duplicate the original roofing materials if possible. Asphalt or fiberglass shingles can be appropriate, as are slate, standing seam metal or metal shingle roof coverings. The color of roofing materials should be a dark green, charcoal gray, black or dark reddish brown to simulate the original roof colors.

The existing porch roof is to be removed due to lead content. It consists of flat metal sheets involving a technique and material that is no longer available. Porch roofing in the district is predominately asphalt shingles. Staff recommends this material be utilized unless it is not structurally possible to utilize shingles. Staff determined that there are at least two examples of corrugated metal being utilized for porch roofing in the area.