Historic Zoning Commission

Hull-Dobbs Fountain City Individual H Landmark: Level II

4-C-20-HZ

Applicant Request

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

Full exterior rehabilitation of historic auto sales and service building at 4683 Old Broadway. Scope of work will involve removal of non-historic wood shingle siding, installation of composite siding on exterior, repair to the existing roof and fascia, and repair to the existing foundation (or replacement where necessary). Staff-level revisions approved 4.19.21: modification from previously approved Nichiha composite fiber cement siding to EIFS, fine sand finish siding, with rustication joints to match specifications submitted 4.19.21 and historic photo of south elevation.. Façade (east elevation) above storefront to receive Nichiha Miraia Onyx panels to simulate original black glass panels (evidence found on site).

Façade (east) will include removal of non-historic wood shingle siding and non-historic storefront windows. Existing storefront windows have been shortened from the original height, and new windows will be restored to their original height, drawing from a historic photograph of the façade. New storefront glass and aluminum double-doors to be installed on façade. The parapet will be repaired and accommodate a new roof drain. 14'-7 "wood arbor" screen wall to be located adjacent to right side of façade, featuring wood columns supporting 7" fiber cement board slats to match building - not attached directly to the building.

South elevation will receive new multi-light aluminum windows in existing fenestrations, new paired garage-type doors in an existing garage fenestration, and a glass and aluminum storefront door towards the façade elevation. New window sills will be installed to match the existing.

North elevation will receive a new glass and aluminum storefront window and door towards the left side of the elevation.

Site Info

One-story, flat-roof commercial structure. Façade (east) features metal and glass storefront window systems, partially enclosed with non-historic wood shingle-siding. Side elevations feature multi-light industrial windows. A stepped parapet divides the front and rear sections.

1. Exterior rehabilitation is guided by continuing the use of the property as related to its historic roots as a midcentury auto display center and service station. The applicant has drawn on the sole historic photograph of the property to guide the rehabilitation.

2. Removing the non-historic wood shingle siding is appropriate, as the siding has obscured the building's historic features and has not gained significance in its own right.

3. Porcelain or metal enamel panels were typical exterior cladding on auto buildings from this period (Preservation Brief 46). The historic photograph does indicate enamel panels above the storefront windows, while the exterior is currently exposed concrete masonry unit or the remaining wood shingle siding. The applicant has stated that using new enamel panels is cost-prohibitive to the project. The proposed Nichiha-brand fiber cement board panels could be appropriate to replicate enamel panels in "design, color, texture, and other visual properties," if they have a smooth, semi-glossy finish. The selected exterior cladding should resemble historic enamel panels in design, texture, and visual properties, or the side and rear elevations should remain with repaired exposed concrete masonry units.

4. Replacing the modified window storefront system with a new storefront system to restore the historic window height is appropriate.

5. Aluminum and glass storefront systems and multi-light windows are appropriate replacement windows for the property, and restoring the garage door on the east elevation retains the auto-oriented nature of the building.

6. The building's footprint is not being enlarged or reduced. Overall, the scope of work will not destroy any remaining historic materials and all work is compatible with the historic context in size, scale, and architectural features.