Title
HPC12-10, 1131 Canton St., Margie Cooper/MKCooper Holdings, Land Lot 411
Body
Item Summary:
Applicant is requesting a Certification of Appropriateness for the enclosure of a porch and the landing patio
Staff Report:
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the application with the following conditions:
1. That the horizontal German lap siding, vent, eave brackets, and cornice on the front porch gable remain;
2. That the new windows and door on the front porch enclosure are made of wood or aluminum-clad wood;
3. That the columns are made of wood;
4. That no alterations are done to the existing window or door openings on the front façade without HPC approval;
5. That the exterior wall sconces are approved by Staff in the field;
6. That the proposed stone knee wall is moved closer to the property line to comply with the City Arborists comments.
Issue
The applicant is requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness for 1131 Canton Street for the following items:
· Enclose the front porch
o Walls will consist of Peachtree Windows and Door
o Front gable to be replaced with vertical board-n-batten siding
· Build new landing (flagstone and brick), stairs (brick), and planter (stacked stone and brick) to the north of existing porch
· Create 580 square foot ground level patio (brick and stone) with walkway (stepping stone and pea gravel)
· Add steps to the west side of existing side (north) entry landing (flagstone, brick, stacked stone)
· Replace steps to the east side of existing side (north) entry landing (flagstone, brick, stacked stone)
· Replace and extend side (north) fence (wood)
· Add 18" stone knee wall along the front of the property (stone)
History
The structure located at 1131 Canton Street was constructed in 1939 according to the Fulton County Tax Digest. The 2001 Historic Properties Survey classified the property as Historic with an estimated date of construction from 1935-1944. The one-story structure with a rectangular footprint is an example of a minimal traditional house.
The property was rezoned in 1979, from O-P (Office Professional) to C-2 (Neighborhood Commercial District) with the condition that the property not be used as a dry-cleaner or service station.
Applications concerning this property have been approved as follows:
HPC 91-34 - An application for additional landscaping was approved.
HPC 02-05 - An application was approved for improvements to the historic building, the rebuilding of a shed located on the property, and landscaping.
HPC08-46 - An application was approved to construct a two-story rear office addition of 1,950 square feet. This addition was never built.
HPC10-27 - A minor application for maintenance was approved (roof, column, and sidewalk replacement).
Analysis
Porch
The Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation state that "new additions and adjacent or related new construction will be undertaken in a such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired." While the City of Roswell's Design Guidelines strongly discourage enclosing porches, they state that if allowed, the "enclosing material should be a clear, transparent material in order to retain the "open" character of the porch."
Typically, when enclosing a porch, one would enclose it with glass or wire screen on the inside of the porch supports to maintain the historic appearance of the façade and to allow the work to be reversible at a later date. However, it is clearly evident that the current columns are not original. Since there is no evidence of porch columns or railings, Staff supports the design used to create the walls of the porch. Staff found that the only historic material that remains is along the front gable, specifically the eave brackets which appear along the entire house. These important elements should not be removed or obscured and therefore, Staff conditions that the current horizontal German lap siding, vent, eave brackets, and cornice on the front porch gable remain. The proposed replacement of these materials with vertical board-n-batten siding is not appropriate.
Since the porch is believed to be original, the materials used to enclose it need to be sensitive to the original construction date, yet define the enclosure as a modern addition. Therefore, the use of modern materials is appropriate. Staff recommends the use of wood or aluminum-clad wood door and 1/1 windows. The columns shall be made of wood. Staff also conditions that no changes are made to the existing window and door openings on the front façade without HPC approval. While these features will be encased as part of the porch enclosure, it is crucial that these elements are protected so that this project will remain easily reversible.
The applicant intends to install exterior wall sconces along the new enclosure, but has yet to specify an exact fixture. Staff recommends approval of these sconces to be made by Staff in the field.
Landing, Steps, Planter, Ground Level Patio, Walkways, Retaining Wall
The Design Guidelines state that "walkways and drives should be of gravel, brick, or concrete" and that the "construction of new retaining walls should follow historic precedent by using stone."
The applicants proposed materials for these features comply with the Design Guidelines. Staff recommends approval with the condition that the proposed knee wall is altered to meet the requirements of the City Arborist to protect the existing maple in the public right-of-way.
Department Comments
Arborist
1. Will need to protect existing maple in R.O.W. from damage by installation of retaining wall at street.
Building
1. A building permit is required for this project.
Fire
No comment at this time.
Presented by:
Courtney Lankford, Planner II