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2021.04.26 Staff Report To: Historical Commission From: Sarah LaValley Re: April 26 2021 Historical Commission Staff Report Please note that staff recommendations are based on the paper record. Applicants may present other information that could be persuasive. 5:30 PM: Request for a Local Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to Section 195 of the Northampton Code for proposed roof, door, and window replacement and modification, and roof HVAC work as part of major building renovation. Trustees of Smith College, 33 Elm Street, Map ID 31B-253. As part of a substantial building renovation project, work is proposed that includes exterior architectural changes that are subject to Local Historic District review. These are door replacement, window replacement, roof replacement, a dormer roof addition to conceal mechanical equipment, doors in place of existing windows, and windows in place of existing doors. Other exempt work, including interior renovations and landscaping is also proposed. The Commission should review the Design Standards for each proposed piece of regulated work. Excerpts below: Dormers (page 24), and Architectural Elements, page 21: New dormers should match existing ones. Where no dormers presently exist, new dormers shall correspond in style with the other architectural features of the building, and must be architecturally appropriate and have historic precedent. Dormers may be installed, relocated, or removed, subject to the guideline for Architectural Elements, provided that the historic nature (original proportions) Original elements shall be retained to the extent possible. Alterations shall be carried out in a way that does not damage or hide these elements. New architectural elements shall match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, material. Architectural elements that falsify or confuse the history of a building shall be avoided. Replacement of original elements should be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence. Doors, page 24: Existing original or later architecturally appropriate doors visible from a public way shall be retained and repaired, including fanlights, sidelights, surrounds, canopies, transoms, and other features that comprise the doorway. The original entrance design and arrangement of door openings shall be retained. Enlarging or reducing entrance/door openings for the purpose of fitting stock doors (larger or smaller) will not be allowed. Enlarging door openings to meet mandated accessibility standards may be `2 considered, provided that the original style, appearance, and materials of the doorway are retained. If a replacement door is necessary, the preferred material is wood. An alternate material may be considered if the door is appropriately designed with regard to architectural style and compatible with other doors on the building and of low visibility. Windows, page 39 Original or later windows, trim and features should be retained and repaired except in cases when they are beyond repair. In such cases, replacement must be based on physical, photographic, or documentary evidence. The introduction of openings not characteristic in proportion and scale and the blocking up of original openings are not allowed. Where the building has been altered to have several types of windows, proposed changes shall be consistent with either the predominant window pattern of the building or the original historic pattern. Historic oriels shall not be removed or replaced. Alterations to oriels on the primary elevation are inappropriate mandatory. Retrofitting original window sashes with weather-stripping and/or insulated glass is encouraged. Alterations to the design and arrangement of window openings on the historic façade, other than restoration to documented historical conditions, are generally not allowed. Where it is not feasible to repair existing windows, replacement windows should meet the following standards: The replacement window shall be all wood or clad with metal exteriors and of the same dimensions for muntins, frames, sash, rails, and stiles, and be of the same design (unless new window is truer to original design than existing one to be replaced), and same number of panes as the original or existing window. Openings shall not be reduced or enlarged to accommodate stock sizes or shapes. Glazing should be limited to the following: - Insulating glass - Single glass with removable energy panels Divided light options (muntin bars) should be limited to the following: - Authentic divided light - Simulated divided light with spacer bar between insulating glass The following are unacceptable options for divided lights: - Simulated divided light (applied to glass) - Grilles between insulating glass - Removable grilles Narrow muntin bars that closely match existing muntin widths. Muntin bars wider than 7/8” are not acceptable Wood clad exteriors are preferred. Aluminum clad exteriors are acceptable, provided the profile reasonably matches existing window muntins. If the Commission agrees that all or portions of the work meet the standards and is appropriate for the character of the District, a Certificate of Appropriateness can be issued. The Commission should refer to the Design Fundamentals on page 19 of the Standards. If the Commission finds that a project is inappropriate (certificate is disapproved), it shall consider whether a certificate of hardship should be issued. The Ordinance specifies that a hardship can be issued if “owing to conditions especially affecting the building or structures involved, but not affecting the historic district generally, failure to approve an application will involve a substantial hardship, financial or otherwise, to the applicant and whether such application may be approved without substantial detriment to the public welfare and without substantial derogation from the intent and purposes of the Historic District Ordinance. `3 Florence Proposed National Register District Update The Committee for Northampton received Community Preservation Act funding in 2019 for preparation of a National Register of Historic Places for sites in Florence that were part of abolitionist history. The National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the National Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. These resources contribute to an understanding of the historical and cultural foundations of the nation. When complete, the nomination will be submitted to MassHistoric and the National Park Service.