Historic Zoning Commission

Fourth and Gill H: Level II

7-C-23-HZ

Applicant Request

Proposed replacement of 13 windows on the house's second story. Windows to be replaced include eight, six-over-one, double-hung wood windows and five multi-light wood casement windows. Proposed window replacements include eight, 6/1, double-hung wood windows. The revised specs indicate full divided lights. The casements are eight-light, simulated divided light with internal spacers, wood windows. Revised submission includes photos of each window and additional specifications from manufacturer.

Site Info

One-and-one-half-story, side gable-roof residence with an asphalt shingle-clad roof, an exterior of brick veneer, and a continuous brick foundation. Full-length front porch supported by brick piers is recessed under the primary roofline. Wood shingle cladding on side gable fields.

1. 1202 Luttrell Street is a contributing resource to the Fourth and Gill National Register Historic District and local overlay.

2. The majority of the windows appear original, though some windows may be replacements. The right (south) side elevation features single-light casements and a double-hung window that do not match the patterns of the other second-story windows. Wood, six-over-one, double-hung windows were approved by the HZC for the rear elevation in February 2005. The six-over-one, double-hung windows are appropriate for a Craftsman house and reflect the first-story windows. Paired casement windows in more narrow openings are also consistent with the style.

3. The applicant has provided revised information, primarily in writing, to document the windows' condition. The windows are described as having rotten sashes and sills, replacement glass panes (a common method of window repair), cut balance cords and inoperable sash balances or locks. The Commission should discuss the described conditions and if the conditions warrant replacement.

4. Design guidelines note that replacement windows "should be the same overall size as the originals, with the same pane division, and the same muntin style and exterior depth, width, and profile." The applicant has submitted revised specifications with 6/1, double-hung, full-divided light, wood windows. As of agenda posting, the applicant has not submitted measurements for muntin and rail depth, width, and profile. Wood windows would typically exhibit similar dimensions as previous wood windows, since the materials have similar tensile strengths needed to support panes.

The revised specs also include paired, eight-light wood casement windows with simulated divided lights and a divider between the window panes to simulate a full divided light muntin or rail. Simulated divided lights can be appropriate, provided the muntin depth, width, and profiles are comparable to the originals. The revised specifications meet the design guidelines more clearly than the initial proposal.

5. The guidelines also note that "false muntins or grids should not be used." The application has been revised to avoid false muntins or grids on the double-hung windows, with an internal spacer added between the simulated divided lights on the casements. The SDLs with a spacer have been found to adequately emulate full divided light windows, especially on second stories which are less visible from street-level.

6. The proposed material of wood is appropriate within the guidelines.

7. The stained-glass fixed windows on the front dormer are not included as part of the application. The first-story windows are not part of the application.