Historic Zoning Commission

Glenn Craig Landmark H-1: Level II

7-L-16-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Construction of additions

The owners' proposal is to locate additions to the rear and sides of the house rather than revising the original floor plan. A three-car garage is proposed for the west side of the house, and is to be embedded into the existing topography. Additions with stucco sheathing to match the later random and rough stucco existing on the rear of the house are proposed. The additions are proposed to have simulated-divided-light-casement windows to match the configuration of the steel casement windows on the original house. The original steel casement windows are proposed to be repaired.

There will be no removal of historic stone material from the house. Within the west side addition, the exterior stone wall will be preserved; however, a 17-foot length of a later stucco wall will be removed. The only historic material proposed to be relocated is a bank of 3 steel casement windows on the west side to be projected directly across from their current location to the new outer wall (see page 6 labeled "right side view"). On the rear, the sunroom, which is a later addition, and the kitchen chimney will be removed (see page 3 labled "left side view"), and a one-and-a-half-story addition is proposed in this location with a side gable facing the driveway. This addition will have a roof pitch to match that on the main house, stuccoed walls, and a bank of four wooden SDL casement windows to match those on the historic house.

Site Info

Glen Craig is a Tudor Revival house designed in the "Cotswald" idiom. The steeply pitched roof with multiple gables is sheathed in slate tiles. Tudor Revival moldings frame the front entry, and the steel casement windows are multi-paned with transoms. The stone veneer is rough-cut marble, apparently from the Craig's quarries. Rear elevation walls are stuccoed. A flagstone court is located in a recessed area at the rear of the house. A wood pergola is also located on the rear elevation. John J. Craig, III. had the house design and built as his summer home. The house was remodeled in 1926 by Charles Barber and McMurray, with landscape design by Charles Lester.

1. The house is planned to be utilized for its original use as a single-family residence.

2. The house is clad in original rough-cut marble on the front, the east (driveway side), and the front-most portion of the west side and features the original steel casement windows. The rear, and the back portions of the east and west sides are stucco.

3. The distinguishing original qualities of the building will not be destroyed since there will be limited removal and relocation of any historic material or distinctive architectural feature. All distinctive features, finishes, and stone masonry construction on the main house shall be preserved. The landscaping, topography, and large trees will not be destroyed. The only historic material proposed to be relocated is a bank of 3 steel casement windows on the west side to be projected directly across from their current location to the new outer wall. On the rear, the sunroom, which is a later addition, and the kitchen chimney will be removed.

4. The new additions are designed in such a manner that if they were to be removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the house would not be impaired.

5. The deteriorated steel casement windows and stonework will be repaired. The proposed wooden simulated-divided-light casement windows with fthin-clad sash for the additions are compatible with the profile of those on the historic house.

6. Additions will be covered in stucco so that they will be distinguishable from the orignial stone structure.

7. All roof pitches on additions are below that of the historic house.

8. The garage proposed for the west side of the house will be enbedded into the existing topography so that it will remain low and somewhat obscured from the front. The garage is only connected to new construction and not the original; is offset from the original structure and not engaged in it; and is embedded in the hillside, all which minimize it's impact.

9. Staff believes that although the additions are somewhat extensive, they are on the sides and rear of the house as recommended by the SIS. However, the proposed addition on the prominently visible east side next to the driveway projects approximately 3 feet beyond the original front porch. This significantly modifies that portionof the house toward the rear and gives the addition undue prominence.