Historic Zoning Commission

Fourth and Gill H: Level II

3-G-21-HZ

Applicant Request

Exterior rehab to rear addition (c.2006), including modifications to roofline, construction of a new back porch, replacement windows (on rear addition only) and replacement of existing fiber cement lap siding with new shingle siding. Installation of new exterior basement stair with sloped steel doors on south side of house. Repair to brick foundation and brick veneer at northwest corner of house, repointing of front porch masonry. Repair to north side roof overhang; possible replacement of existing asphalt shingle roof with new asphalt shingles.

Rear elevation will include two new wood casement windows on left side, and three adjoining three-light wood casement windows (approximately 7' wide by 5' tall overall). Rear elevation will be clad in shingle siding. Rear elevation will also feature decorative wood brackets, a triangular wood louvered vent, and 5/4 cedar trim with copper flashing.

New recessed corner porch on right side of rear (west) elevation to feature a half-light wood door and a wood porch floor, supported by an 8" by 8" wood post with a wood bracket.

Sloped steel basement access doors will be approximately centered on left (south) side elevation to match Bilco specs submitted in application packet (or similar). South elevation work also includes converting existing basement window into small painted wood door into storage closet.

Site Info

One story frame residence with a front gable roof clad in asphalt shingles, an exterior of brick veneer, and a brick foundation. A front-gable roof porch projects from the left half of the façade, supported by brick columns and featuring decorative wood brackets. Windows are one-over-one, double-hung wood sash.

1. 1121 Eleanor Street is a contributing resource to the Fourth and Gill National Register Historic District and local historic overlay.

2. The installation of sloped steel basement access doors on the south side elevation will not affect any significant historic features and will be very minimally visible from the street, if visible at all. The basement access doors could be removed without affect on the house's character-defining features.

3. All other work is proposed for a non-historic addition on the house's rear, constructed in 2006. Overall, the revised design will be compatible but differentiated from the original section of the house. New details will connect the addition with the house's Craftsman design, including cedar support brackets, a triangular wood louvered vent, and cedar trim.

4. The rear addition, previously clad in fiber cement lap siding, will receive new shingle siding - cedar, Hardie, and LP Smartside composite with 7" exposure are all included in the proposal for discussion. In staff's opinion, any of the three proposed materials would be appropriate, as work will occur on a non-historic addition which is not visible from the public right-of-way. Cedar shingles meet the design guidelines most directly; however, the existing addition currently has fiber cement lap siding and any of the three materials will sufficiently differentiate the addition from the main house's brick exterior, while not detracting from the house's historic character.

5. The proposed materials and design for the small recessed corner porch meet the design guidelines, including a repurposed existing half-light wood door, wood porch flooring and an 8" by 8" wood post.

6. The addition also includes new windows, including two, two-light wood casement windows on the left side and one wood triple casement window (approximately 7'-0" tall wide and 5'-6" tall) on the right. The proposed windows are compatible with the overall design of the house. The applicant has included for discussion the possibility of using Marvin "Elevate" brand windows (paintable fiberglass composite material) in the same dimensions and design as the submitted drawing. The composite windows would be limited to the rear addition, not visible from the street, which is a west-facing elevation that receives significant sun and weather impact through the year.