Historic Zoning Commission

Mechanicsville H-1: Level II

9-C-14-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II. Construction of addition or outbuilding

Construct two additions totalling approximately 1400 s.f. The addition on the east façade will be 30x30 on a raised concrete platform in place of the demolished mechnical room enclosure to serve as a loading dock. The metal double-leafed service entrance doors will be recessed under canopy with a brick-faced fascia and boxed gutters to match existing building. The support posts for the canopy will be steel painted to match wood trim on building. Add metal-covered canopy at the car/bus drop-off also on the east end. Add 9-foot-tall brick wall with wooden or smooth fiber cement vertical batten doors on south side along alley to screen most of new mechanical equipment. Add new brick seat wall and soldier coursed brick-framed panels on the north elevation. Demolish later addition on south side of building.

Site Info

Two-story seven-bay brick with raised basement. Flat roof with cast-stone trimmed raised parapet. Replacement aluminum clad windows that duplicate original window pane and transom configuration. (Original windows were removed from the building c. 1960.) One-story projecting front entry with parapet roof and duplicated entry on west elevation. Brick foundation. Irregular plan. (contributing)

1) The former Moses School Building is a contributing building within the Mechanicsville H-1.

2) The loading dock addition will be visible from Arthur the Street right-of-way and will be less obtrusive and more compatible with the historic building than the existing noncontributing transformer enclosure.

3) The proposed metal covered walkways on the east end are simple and utilitarian so as not to detract significantly from the existing building and can be removed in the future without harm to historic fabric.

4) The proposed addition and surface parking lot do not encroach into the existing green space in front of the school any further than the existing parking lot along Arthur Street.

5) The proposed rear (south) addition off the alley will be behind an existing masonry wall and will not be visible. The concrete block masonry wall is proposed to be faced with brick to match the new additions.