HDC Minutes 4-21-22

.. CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION April 21, 2022 The Meeting of the City of Dover Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 3:30 PM in person and virtually using the videoconferencing system WebEx with Chairman Czerwinski presiding. Members present were Mr. Street, Ms. Horsey, and Mrs. Mason (Note: The fifth Historic District Commission member has not been appointed following the completion of the term of Mr. McDaniel in 2020). Planning Office Staff members present were Mrs. Melson-Williams, Mrs. Savage-Purnell, Mrs. Bulkilvish, and Mr. Swierczek. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Street moved for approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Ms. Horsey and the motion was unanimously carried 4-0. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2022 Ms. Mason moved for approval of the Meeting Minutes of March 24, 2022, seconded by Mr. Street and the motion was unanimously carried 4-0. Roll Call Vote • Ms. Horsey -Yes • Ms. Mason - Yes • Mr. Street – Yes • Mr. Czerwinski - Yes COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS Summary of Applications for 2021 and 2022 Mrs. Melson-Williams noted that application HI-21-06 for drainage improvement permit at The People’s Church located at 46 S. Bradford Street is underway. In 2022, the Historic District Commission will consider its third application of the year today with Application HI-22-01 referral of a Fence Permit at 506 S. State Street, the fence has been installed for Application HI-22-02 a request for Rezoning of lands on Governors Avenue and West Water Street to expand the Historic District Zone, the Historic District Commission recommended approval to expand in that District and City Council at its meeting on April 11, 2022, also approved the Rezoning. The Historic District boundary is now expanded to encompass that entire block of Bank Lane, Governors Avenue, and West Water Street. Summary of Architectural Review Certifications for 2022 Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that in 2022 through March, there have been a total of five (5) building related Permit applications in the Historic District. One of the four involved a site drainage Permit at The People’s Church located at 46 S. Bradford Street. There were two (2) interior permits

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 and one (2) Fence Permit. Three of the permits were considered by the Commission and two were handled by Staff. Department of Planning & Inspections Update Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned included in the packet was a letter from the Delaware Preservation Fund, Inc. regarding a Grant opportunity for a 2022 Small Grants Program-Second Round. The letter includes information about the Grant. The Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000. There are possible grants up to $10,000 for exceptional projects. The application is an on- line form and is due by April 29, 2022. The program guidelines have been opened to include soft projects such as Restoration Planning projects, Architectural and Engineering Studies, and Consulting Services. The fund also offers a process for low fee, short term rehabilitation loans for larger amounts up to $80,000. Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned the NASCAR Race Event and Old Dover Days events. She mentioned that unfortunately tomorrow is Mrs. Samantha Bulkilvish’s last day with the City of Dover Planning Office. Starting Monday, April 25, 2022, she will be part of the Staff of the Office of State Planning Coordination. She will be greatly missed. We thank her for her time of service with the City of Dover. NEW APPLICATION HI-22-03 New Courthouse at South Governors Avenue and West Water Street – Public Hearing and Review for Recommendation on Architectural Review Certification for a Site Development Plan Application and associated Lot Consolidation Plan to permit the construction of a five-story 105,259 GFA government building to serve as the new Kent County Family Court. The proposal includes a five-story Parking Structure (425 vehicle parking spaces), parking lot, and other site improvements. The Site presently consists of a series of eleven (11) parcels consisting of a total of 3.7499 +/- acres and an alley. The properties are zoned IO (Institutional and Office Zone) and subject to the SWPOZ (Source Water Protection Overlay Zone), as well as the H (Historic District Zone). The properties are located on the east side of South Governors Avenue between West Water Street and Bank Lane. The owner of record/ equitable owner is the State of Delaware. Property Addresses: 401, 411, 429, 435, 439, 441, and 447 S. Governors Avenue; 101 and 117 West Water Street; 123 Bank Lane; and part of 34 The Green. Tax Parcels: ED-05- 077.09-03-32.00-000, ED-05-077.09-03-33.00-000, ED-05-077.09-03-35.00-000, ED-05- 077.09-03-36.00-000, ED-05-077.09-03-37.00-000, ED-05-077.09-03-48.00-000, ED-05- 077.09-03-50.00-000, ED-05-077.09-03-53.00-000, ED-05-077.09-03-52.00-000, ED-05- 077.09-03-61.00-000, and an alley. Future Addresses: 415 S. Governors Avenue (Park Garage), and 445 S. Governors Avenue (Courthouse). Council District 4. Project Site subject to Rezoning Application Z-22-01/HI-22-02 which was reviewed by the Planning Commission on March 21, 2022, Historic District Commission on March 24, 2022, and City Council on April 11, 2022. Mrs. Melson-Williams gave a summary of Application HI-22-03 with the Staff Recommendation Report and Addendum. The applicant is requesting a Recommendation on Architectural Review Certification for a Site Development Plan Application and associated Lot Consolidation Plan to permit the construction of a five-story 105,259 GFA government building to serve as the new Kent County Family Court. The proposal includes a five-story Parking Structure (425 vehicle parking 2

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 spaces), parking lot, and other site improvements. The Site presently consists of a series of eleven (11) parcels consisting of a total of 3.7499 +/- acres and an alley. Two items that were noted for the Commission for consideration are the Alternative Bulk Standards consideration of a reduction of the rear yard setback as well as the request of a 6-foot height fence in the rear on the east side of the Courthouse building where it adjoins some residential properties. The Code requires that the setback be 30-feet; the applicant is looking for a reduction to 25-foot. It also includes the Addendum outlining the Staff Recommendations in regard to the Architectural Review Certification. The same By-laws of the Historic District Commission are in place as the last meeting. Ms. Mason, a member of the Historic District Commission will be unable to participate in the Commission deliberation on this Application as she is a property owner within 200-feet of this Application. As part of the By-laws of the Historic District Commission that is deemed a conflict of interest. Representatives: Elio Battista, Parkowski Guerke and Swayze PA; Michael Newell, Chief Judge of Family Court of the State of Delaware; William J. Lenihan, Tevebaugh Architecture; Mr. K. James Taylor Jr. PE Verdantas (Duffield Associates, LLC) Mr. Battista stated that he was present to seek Architectural Review Certification and approval from the Historic District Commission from a legal perspective. Because this is an Architectural Review Certification you will hear from the Architect. He introduced the fellow members of the team and guests: Michael Newell, Chief Judge of Family Court of the State of Delaware; Judicial Officers; representatives from the Kent County Bar Association and Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce; and the Design Team, Mr. James Taylor, William J. Lenihan and Mr. Rick Macia. Afterwards we will get into the perviable bricks and mortor of the project. PRESENTATION Mr. Taylor stated that the existing Family Court is not sized appropriately for the current use. The State went through and examined property where they could develop the future Family Court site. It was selected to be at the corner of Governors and Water Street. As mentioned, they purposely sought to come fully into the Historic District over the past month to be acquainted with The Green and other things in the Historic District in the City of Dover. The existing site is made up of a parking lot that is used for the Court. All of the buildings shown are proposed to be demolished. This also the site of the contaminated Capital Cleaners site. There have been some environmental pieces and cleanup that we have had to deal with throughout the process. As we look at the site design, the Courthouse is approximately 106,000 square foot and the other proposed building is the parking structure that will be 5-story and 425 parking spaces. All the properties along The Green are adjacent neighbors. There is access through our site so an updated access easement has been provided to allow them to get access to their site to continue and, continue to maintain the integrity of the properties that are facing The Green themselves. As was mentioned, we are seeking relief of the setback right in this area that's supposed to be 30- 3

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 foot but he believes the application mentioned 23-foot. Staff recommended 25-foot and we believe we would have no issue with the recommendation. The measurement is 26.5 -foot So we are going have a little bit of play there for construction. If something happens, we don't want to have to come back to talk to you guys again. The Site itself is zoned IO (Institutional and Office Zone) and the Historic District Overlay. Access points to the Site are going to be from South Governors Avenue, Bank Lane and Water Street. On that property the back area is actually a drive aisle. There is a house that sits roughly 300-foot from the building. On this site, brick is being proposed for the sidewalk. One of the recommendations was to make sure that all of the sidewalk was brick. We do not not have any issue with and that will be addressed later as well. Parking is proposed in the parking structure, but there's also a small surface lot that is on the right-hand side of the property. On the Plans where there is landscaping, we are trying to invest and meet the intent of the landscaping plan, but there's a large number of trees that are proposed for the site. We are not able to meet the tree requirement directly, but we are looking at offsetting the allotment. We want this to be a bright spot in the community as you enter the City of Dover from the south. The Plaza area along the frontage of the building will allow people access through that area. They are looking at the interconnection between the parking garage and the sidewalk. Mr. Lenihan mentioned that they met and updated the Friends of Old Dover, the Downtown Dover Partnership and Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce on the project. There was a feasibility study that justified the need for the square footage for these buildings. The existing building is approximately 35,000 square feet and the space study showed that we needed approximately 105,000 square feet to be able to have a safe, secured, and dignified experience for all working and visiting the Courthouse. That is obviously a large challenge when you are working within the Historic District. Many small parcels needed to be acquired and assembled into a larger contiguous site. As you can see on the screen and the top image is a 3D view of the Courthouse on the right and to the left is the Parking Structure and their large volumes. The Courthouse is a three-story structure. The parking deck is a four and a half level because it is a helix going up the ramping system through the garage. We went to great detail of really thinking about the massing of the building. As I stated before, you have an excellent set of Historic District Guidelines that really talks about where to place larger buildings in the District. This parcel was noted that it is appropriate for larger scale buildings and staying with the Comprehensive Plan and the greater Metropolitan Planning Group stated that as well. With the building, we really have different elements that Mr. Maseeia is going to get into with the massing of how we broke down the components and really studied the existing Historic District and the different buildings in the component’s styles and details, so that we would really apply those materials on this building as we went forward. With the siting, the main entrance of the Courthouse is facing the intersection. In the other rendering you'll be able to see that the building is at a bit of a pedestal at the main intersection there because the grade drops about 6 feet down to the intersection there. It gave us a larger opportunity to have a larger cast stone base around the building at that area and have the two- story entrance lobby that presents itself on the South Governors Ave with the entrance Plaza, which steps in plateau areas that people will make their way off through ramps or steps in the front entrance way. 4

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 With the Historic District Guidelines and also the Secretary of Interior’s Standards really talked about new construction is to be contemporary but compatible and differentiated. With the approach we took here, you can see a number of buildings on the right-hand side and bottom. The buildings and the detailing in the brick and the soldier courses and the heads and the bond of the brick and the joinery and the top right is actually the Kent County Courthouse which is similar scale of this size building here. Mr. Maseeia who will be speaking next. His office was involved as an architect designer with the Justice consultant on that project as well. Between all our joint experience of working in Dover, we truly understand the significance of the details and the character of the community that we are trying to design this building in a manner that fits into the existing community. This is a transitional site because we are at the edge of the Historic District. We have a very modern and new complex with Bayhealth just south of us. We have mixed development across the street. This gives us the opportunity to design an institutional building to add to the government civic complex and to make a real Courthouse campus and a gateway to the site in Dover as people approach Downtown from the south and from the west. The large rendering is a view from South Governor Avenue looking north. You would see that there is a tower element with a light at the top, the entrance way, and the circulation tower of the Parking Garage beyond. You will also see that there is a number of elements, as we call them as the box window elements, along Water Street. Each of those elements is closer to the scale of lot of the smaller buildings in the area. So, you'll see that the fenestration within those elements and along the first-floor banding is a much more human scale as we then have a backdrop of a bigger building there with it. Mr. Macia mentioned that he would start first talking a little bit about the process of the building design’s national Standards and Historic District Guidelines that are very well written compared to some of the other ones we have seen in other places in the country. We spent a lot of time walking around, really getting to know the building. Dover has such a rich history about Colonial, Georgian and Federal. You have a little bit of everything that is really quite interesting. We also looked at similar projects that really illustrates that. You will recognize the Kent County Courthouse on the presentation presented. These are projects all over the country that take a similar approach in terms of creating “compatible and sympathetic but contemporary building designs.” The one thing that you will see that they have in common is the use of materials, proportion and types of windows sizes and massing. The fact that all these buildings although they are contemporary, they have some richness in terms of having different materials, colors, proportions, and shapes. We really did look at quite a few items and issues. The first thing that we spent a lot of time on was to make the building fit well into the concepts here in Dover was material. You can see that the primary material is brick. It is not a jumbo brick. It is a traditional proportion modular red clay brick that is very typical in this area. We highlighted that as you can see with expanses of watertable and cast stone or cast stone elements. Again, those are some materials that you see on the historic buildings in the area that provides a nice contrast to the brick. Those two materials are quite important. Where we have glass at the pedestrian human scale and on some of the special features, there are individual punch windows vertically portioned, and we try to capture that feeling. It is not reflective glass at all. It is a clear glass with a little bit of gray. The richness of the texture that 5

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 you know those three simple materials provided is enhanced through the massing and the scale of these elements. So, rather than doing just a simple big box we pulled out the lobby as a two- story piece and as a primary element so that the public can see it going north or south on Governors Avenue. The main body of the building itself on Governors Avenue from the most visible street is actually set back three plus feet. This does a couple of things for us; it makes the lobby the feature we want the public to help find the entry easily. It really helps to be a way finder user experience, and it breaks down the scale. Additionally, instead of having just one large plane for the façade, you will see that for both the Garage and the Courthouse, we added a second plane and pulled the brick forward a little bit. This will add layers and some richness to the building. The elevator tower is plated with some of the cast stone and extended the top. A lot of your public buildings here including the State House have these wonderful Colonial Era or Colonial Revival cupolas. With our contemporary version that will be lit at night and visible from all sides. We have added a clock to the tower that has double columns and detailed shadow and richness. The columns are repeated in the lobby. You know those columns, cornices, clock and tower are all civic elements. This is a Courthouse and public building, so it is important that it feel like a public building and not a residential or commercial building. This building will serve a public purpose and at the same time it is a Family Court. We don’t want to be overpowering, but we do want visitors to the Court to understand that they are entering a public building where important matters are discussed and held, and people lives are impacted. We tried to find a balance between creating a dignified, exterior specific attributes including the flag poles at the corner, but nothing overpowering. The previous view is going north on South Governors Avenue. If you go past the hospital this would be the next thing you see. If you are going south on Governors Avenue it is a side view from the north, then this would be a little bird’s eye view and you would see the side of the building. You can clearly see where we expressed the second plane with individual punched windows with the civic feeling that we are trying to achieve without becoming overwhelming. It was previously mentioned that we had 6 feet of grade change, but it is almost 8-feet to the back corner when you get the Bank Lane. We had to deal with the 6-feet for people in wheelchairs and ADA Access. It turned out to be a really nice opportunity. So, we created our entrance plaza as a stepped plaza that comes up with an ADA ramp that comes out of the Parking Garage. This gives the building some regimen. The railings we are proposing would be a simple black painted metal very similar to what is on most of the buildings here in town. The plaza gives something back to the city. We have these steps on both sides from the north and south as you are coming up from Water Street. The other nice thing about sitting the building back on both Governors Avenue and Water 6

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 Street is it also allows a more generous yard for landscaping. With that generous space, the trees can grow to mature size and provide some canopy. On Water Street you will see a little more glass. The glass is very important to us in the sense that this is where the eight courtrooms are, and all the family matters are held. This is actually the lobby area, the waiting space in front of the courtroom. We want to have as much natural light in there as possible. We did not want an all-glass building. That certainly would be out of character. We tried to find the balance by adding bay windows (smaller buildings). The elements with individual windows are really a scale of some of the traditional building that you see on State Street. The façade on Water Street has a slightly different character but the base and the rest of the building continues with some of the same elements. The Garage is on the north side of the property. The Garage will be cladded in brick. It will be the same brick that is on the Courthouse. We will be thickening the panels for the first few floors so that we get those layers of façade. The openings in the Garage will have windows. It is important in a Garage to make sure that the people using it feel safe; so, we try to make sure that the elevator has glass or a glass wall. We have also repeated some portion of the glass design in the Courthouse. There will also be a decorative arch panel on the ground floor cut with a pattern to screen the cars at a pedestrian level. One of the challenges that we faced is the one place that this building can be seen from The Green in the Historic District is Bank Lane. If you stand from the west end of The Green, you will see the garage. We created it so that it will be a little more directly related to the traditional architecture of the rest of the town. Mr. Marcia asked if there were any questions before moving on to the Appendix items. Chairman Czerwinski mentioned that the Design Standards and Guidelines for the Historic District could be quite vague. This is The Green Context and one of the four Historic Zones in the Historic District. It states “The Green and the buildings that surround it and by extension its immediate environs are extremely significant historic resources by any criteria. The complete enclosure of the Green as well as the excellent state of preservation its buildings make it an extremely significant historic resource. The Green historic context should be very carefully preserved and requires the most restrictive design standards. New construction should be very carefully designed to be compatible with the scale of the Green historic context. Large-scale development that might be considered for the vacant lots along Governors Avenue or as part of the hospital complex should be very carefully sited, screened and massed so as not to overwhelm the character of the Green historic context.” (Pages 2-4, and 2-5 Design Standards and Guidelines) Chairman Czerwinski question was regarding the massing as compared to the Kent County Courthouse. They did a really good job where the windows were enlarged. Here you have so many windows on the side of the building that it looks like a school. The massive windows are not compatible compared to what he thinks should be compatible in the Historic District. This building is actually the cornerstone building of The Green Context. This is the first building that you will see when you enter the Historic District in Dover from the south. So, when you see this, 7

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 you see the massing of the windows as they are. I mean, to me it just does not compliment the area very well because you are making the windows very small. You have the vertical stripes, and that to me is kind of in the tower itself. I understand the intent that we are not supposed to necessarily replicate the architectural design on The Green itself. His concern is the scale and size. The absolute size of this building “the proportions of new construction should relate to proportions and the styles present in the immediate neighborhood.” Chairman Czerwinski mentioned that his concern was the 5-story building in the Historic District. Mr. Marcia responded by stating that the Courthouse is a 3-story building, and the Parking Garage is a 4 ½ story building. Chairman Czerwinski asked what the overall height was equivalent to. Mr. Marcia responded by stating that the cornice line of the Courthouse is approximately 55-feet high, and the top of tower is approximately 75-feet high. Those heights come from the third-floor heights. The first floor and the second floor are 15-feet and 4 inches to accommodate all the uses in the building systems. The second and third floors are both 18-feet floor-to-floor heights because of the courtrooms that have the higher volume; just like this room that we are in here as a higher volume. Chairman Czerwinski asked if this was the typical height for a building of this type or because of the chambers. Mr. Marcia replied that it is typical for this building type. Office buildings may have something like a 14-foot floor height for each of the floors. Many of the buildings on The Green, many of them have a first floor that have a 12 or 14-foot first floor height. The second or third floor would have a reduced height in those residential buildings. Chairman Czerwinski as he referred to the Design Standards and Guidelines for the City of Dover Historic District Zone that the “development pressure in the City of Dover has resulted in proposals for projects involving structures larger than the predominant two-and three-story scale of the Historic District. Whenever possibl,e alternative sites for large structures should be sought outside of the Dover Historic District, and the City of Dover should provide assistance to the applicant in identifying alternate sites that would be mutually benefit to the applicant and the City. If alternate sites are not available, the means by which the negative impact of large-scale buildings can be minimized…” (pages 4-6) Chairman Czerwinski mentioned that the Design Standards and Guidelines do identify this plot of land to the southwest of The Green. The “large lots which can be easily screened, areas with few or no historic structures, or areas which can best accommodate parking facilities.” It talks about how dominant this structure is compared to everything around it. Now again with the Kent County Courthouse, they seemed to do a really good job of mitigating some of that effect of the building by larging the windows and making the scale look a little smaller. This building with the number of windows and of course the Parking Garage really dominates the skyline especially when you look at the plan view. When you're coming from the south, it is a very large building. The design and elements on this building does not necessarily compliment The Green. The building does not necessarily have to have the architectural features, but there should be some 8

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 elements in the Postmodern structure; and he did not see them. He did not see this building as being the cornerstone of the Historic District in Dover. Mr. Lenihan mentioned that they went through a very extensive site selection process for this building. The building became very evident that it was extremely important to keep these Courthouses directly Downtown. Courthouses are part of the civic structure of the downtown and do really create a Courthouse campus with the Kent County Courthouse on the other side of the State Street and all the efficiencies that it brings. Obviously, the City of Dover was pushing for the Courthouse to go on this site as well for those reasons and because of the contaminated site with Capitol Cleaners and some of the other Brownfield sites. Putting in the Parking Structure here is really the highest and best use for that land and having the State invest and advance the development of those properties. It really prohibited any other private developer to do that kind of work here. We thought that this was really a win-win for that part of the site and to put the Courthouse at this location. You're correct and we have a lot of small-scale development right across the street. We don't think that all of that will remain into the future especially right across Water Street with Bayhealth buying one of the properties there. You know they are going to be expanding up towards the Water Street as well as we go forward. So, we know that larger scale buildings are coming here. We had a choice about the Historic District. As you know this site was split zoned with the Historic District. You requested the balance of the site not being in Historic District or do you put it all the way in? Based on many conversations with the Planning Department and that the National Register had the full block in, we thought it was more straight forward to put the rest of the site in the Historic District. We are on that edge on the boundary of the Historic District. How do you work with the mass of the building and all the details? Responding, Mr. Lenihan stated that we would with the direction of having more smaller pieces of fenestration on the building to try to fit with the scale of the things. The Kent County Courthouse is on the edge of the Legislative Mall where it is adjacent to much larger buildings. That is why the design team went with that particular approach. Yes, there are multiple ways to approach these buildings, but after consensus with many people that what lead the design to where it is at the current time. We are not mimicking any particular one of them or trying to recreate one particular style. Chairman Czerwinski asked if there were any questions or comments? Mr. Lenihan stated that Mr. Taylor had previously mentioned the setbacks. We are fine with Staff Recommendation of using 25-feet for that one area. It's a small piece of the Courthouse on the Site Plan that is adjacent to a residential property. As he stated that residence is 300-feet away and we need the floor plan of the Courthouse for the space plan of those departments required in order to place the Courthouse where we are proposing it. We are proposing to reduce the setbacks from 30-feet to 25-feet. We think that it is still in keeping with intent of the setback. Fencing Mr. Lenihan mentioned right now there is a metal decorative fence along the rear side of the Water Street parking lot that is 4-feet high. We would like to keep that style fence there for the bulk of that area. Directly behind the Courthouse, we have our loading and receiving area. We 9

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 will have gates at both sides to keep it a secure area. We also need to screen some mechanical equipment, so we are requesting to go to a 6-foot-high fence for that area. We will have a safe and secure area visually screening the mechanical equipment directly behind the Courthouse. For the balance of the fencing along the back of the Water Street lot we could go to the 4-foot fencing. Going north along the new alley off Bank Lane, there is a stockade fence at one section located near The Green and we want to replace the fencing in that area. The brick for the building is going to be a modular brick. This is a sample that we're looking to make the basis of design for the brick. One of the things that we talked about is we want the same brick on the Parking Garage and on the Courthouse that really makes it a campus. With that the Parking Garage Structure is precast concrete so the pieces will be made in a factory and bought to the site. We have years of experience with detailing and making sure they really look like they are buildings with the detailing on the joinery. This particular brick comes in full depth, but it also comes in this half inch thickness as shown, but it is the same exact brick that will be cast in and the tolerances are very tight. This particular kind of brick works for both buildings. We looked at every single building around the site, around The Green, down State Street and along Water Street and Legislative Mall. We took all selection of bricks and pieces of cast stones like this and looked at the full range of bricks, the many different colors, sizes, and the joinery. This particular brick has a range of color within the brick. It also has a range that when you see a larger sampling of it you will see more range in between the bricks as well. For this project, we will have a full-scale mockup approximately 6-feet tall and15-feet long where we will have all the different materials so that we can all have an opportunity to really see it before it goes on the building, but it is also for the construct ability of the building, to make sure that all the detail is done properly. A test stone sample was also provided. We have a sister Courthouse in Georgetown, and the cast stone is more of a buff color for most of the buildings. Here, it is more of a light gray. Some of it is granite, marble or cast stone. Post for the Signage The signage should be painted black, and we will absolutely do that. We will have signage on the Site and on the Courthouse. Right now, we are proposing some signage on the south and north side of the lobby cornice. We have not designed it to any greater detail than that at the current time. Of course, for any Site Signage etc. we would absolutely come back to you and work through your signage program. Light poles Yes, they would be black as well. We have been working with the City of Dover and across the street outside the Historic District on another Site. This will be entered into the street light program with the City of Dover and use their fixtures there and around the perimeter of this Site. We would like to use the fixtures of the district and then we will see if we need a different style. We want to make sure we have the right footcandles in the parking lot levels. They will be painted black. Trees (Urban Planting) Mr. Taylor mentioned they are currently proposed to work appropriately in the parking lot areas. There was question about whether there would be trees along South Governors Avenue in front of the Parking Structure. That was one thing that we had been looking at, but unfortunately there were a number of things that came into play. DelDOT is requesting a bus stop to be placed along 10

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 the northbound South Governors Avenue frontage. The other piece is the City of Dover Electric Department has requested electric run in the space between the property line which is shown is the dark thick black line. Unfortunately, currently in that area we will not be proposing trees to be placed between the spacing of the sidewalk and spacing of the building where the electric wants to go. We cannot maintain 10-foot in order for those trees to grow. So that's one thing unfortunately, that we were trying to get that we could not do. Site Improvements and Amenities Mr. Taylor mentioned that there was a question regarding the surface treatment. There is a wide variety that was labeled on the Landscape Plan that was part of the packet submission. There were areas where lawn and groundcover plantings were identified. There will be some mulch and river stone areas. There is a wide variety of surface treatments being proposed throughout the site. Twenty-five bicycle parking spaces are required for the Site, we are currently proposing 10 parking spaces. Ten of the spaces are shown exterior of the Parking Garage and ten interior spaces. We will make sure that there are 25 spaces shown whether it is interior or exterior to the site. Sidewalks Mr. Taylor stated that as previously mentioned that all of the sidewalk on the Site will be constructed of brick rather than granite. The ADA ramp area will be concrete. The granite pavers are going to be used on the plaza area and the remainder will be brick sidewalks. There was a question regarding the location of the sidewalks on the street frontage and grass strip between the road and the sidewalk. Currently, the Water Street side actually has the brick sidewalk directly up against Water Street which we will continue to maintain. If you look at the Historic District throughout Dover there is not much of a grass strip, most of the sidewalk is right up against the roadway. We are trying to carry the historical look and feel into this property. Building Design Mr. Lenihan mentioned that the pattern of the brick will be a running bond with concave joints. The glazing of the windows will be insulated glass of two panes with air space in between and clear to slightly gray tinted on the interior. This is required to reduce the solar heat gain into the building. The downspouts of the roof will be roof drained within the roof so you will not see gutters or downspouts along the perimeter. They will all be contained within the building. The roof screen will be a painted metal screen. We will have more detailed information once the product is selected for the equipment screening and with the fencing product that was recommended. As previously mentioned, the windows in the Parking Garage will be openings with aluminum frames and air opening ventilation through the Parking Structure. There will be a 4-feet high, 24-feet long mural coming over from the courtroom. We have identified other areas within the Courthouse like the second story area of the internal lobby as an area for artwork. We have not designed it or worked with another group. We have a rich history of working with other organizations and artists with projects. We are familiar with the requirements from the State and the City of Dover for archeological surveys. We will notify the State Historical and Cultural Affairs. As previously mentioned by Mr. Marcia, we do not propose any other major changes or revisions, but we are fully aware if we need to come back before you for those items we will. We are working on advancing the Parcel and Lot Consolidation. There is one parcel (The Shank 11

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 Shack) that is very close to going to settlement and everyone agrees. We are aware that we need permits including building and signs for the project. Chairman Czerwinski asked if there were any additional questions from the Historic District Commission members. Ms. Horsey asked for a point of clarification about the landscaping. She understood what was previously mentioned about trees not been planted on the northbound South Governors Avenue frontage. She wanted to know if any other type of the plantings could go there? Mr. Taylor replied that it is up to the City of Dover Electric Department because it is their utility going in that area. They have requested it to go into that area in case they would need to access in case there is any issue in the future. It has to be on a property and there is about 5-foot on the backside of the sidewalk to our property line that we cannot touch because it is in the DelDOT right-of- way. Therefore, we are left with the 10-foot setback. Mr. Lenihan also replied if they could get any type of plantings or flowers, they would pursue that. They are proposing trees along Water Street side of the Courthouse. Mr. Street mentioned that not to disagree with Chairman Czerwinski because they were great points. He has seen the presentation for the second time. This is the second time a new application has come in that has at least been considerate of the architecture of the city. He liked what you tried to do on the Water Street side because that is a challenging side due to the change in grade and building elevation. Having worked in the Bank Lane area, he liked what you are trying to do in the Bank Lane area which almost mimics the visual of what is on The Green. He can appreciate that, so thank you. Mr. Czerwinski opened the public hearing to those in the room and also those in the virtual meeting. Also, in the virtual audience was Ms. Addie Spicer that is involved with the project team. Ms. Dina Carol Vendetti, President of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce mentioned that she was present to enthusiastically support the project. She too has heard the presentation three times and there is much about this project that they are excited about. They are excited about the additional foot traffic Downtown, the potential use of the parking garage, bringing people closer to the historic area and having them understand that there are things there to avail themselves of and there are ways to learn about the rich history of our area. We like the rendering and design of the building. They understand the safety factor and that the building needs to be bigger than the current Courthouse. There is only so much that you can do with a great big building to make it look like the area. We felt like the design team did a really good job. Although, it does not look like a historic building, there is a balance there that kind of ties it into the area. When you approach the City of Dover from either the west or the south, we like the idea that this is what you will see instead of the often-overlooked corner that you currently see. For us it is what is good for the businesses. This is something that would be very good for the businesses in that area. Our Board have put their heads together and decided to support this project. 12

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 Mr. Adam Gerber, Past President on behalf of the Kent County Bar Association mentioned that they supported the building and the design. There is definitely a need for more space and parking as he appears before the Court few times throughout the year. Mr. Czerwinski closed the public hearing to those in the room and also those in the virtual meeting after seeing no one else wishing to speak. Mrs. Melson-Williams noted the letter received from Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce on 4-21-22. The letter was provided to all members of the Historic District Commission members. The letter reflects the comments that Ms. Vendetti just made about their support of this project, both the Courthouse and Parking Garage. There were no additional questions from the Historic District Commission members. Mr. Street moved for approval of the Architectural Review Certification for Application HI-22- 03 and Staff Recommendation Report and Addendum, the Alternative Bulk Standards- Consideration of 25-foot Rear Yard Setback as well as the request of a 6-foot height fence in the rear. The motion was seconded by Ms. Horsey and approved 3-0 with one member abstaining due to conflict of interest. Roll Call Vote Ms. Horsey – Yes Mr. Street – Yes Ms. Mason – Abstaining due to conflict of interest Mr. Czerwinski – Yes NEW BUSINESS Review of Permits Referred to Commission -There was none. Updates on Permit Activity Update on 304 South State Street Building: Building Permit #22-589 filed for Building Repairs Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that an update summary was included in the packet. The east wall collapsed on this property in October 2019. The building was condemned and declared a dangerous building at that time. There were steps taken to stabilize and board the front wall under a Permit that was issued in that timeframe. There were several years of discussion with the property owner. In 2022, the ownership of the property has changed, and the new property owner is 304 South State Street, LLC. Under new ownership, the wall will be rebuilt as it previously was. There will be some modern construction and the interior work will help hold the wall. The ownership entity is the contractor that was involved in the initial stabilization which included removal of very decorative cast iron window headers. Mr. Street asked if the building was condemned? He mentioned the building has been a dangerous building for quite some time. You were not allowed to go on the third floor for a reason. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied it is considered a Dangerous Building. There were apartment and office units on the upper floors. The building has an active Code Enforcement case and may be under the 13

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2022 Vacant Building provisions. Mr. Street mentioned that he was glad to see that the building was going to be built back up and restored. Ms. Horsey agreed and is delighted that it changed ownership. She asked what the timeline was for restoring the building. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied they went to settlement in early March. The Permit was received in our office the first week in April. The Permit should be approved by our office by April 22, 2022. She was not aware if they had any supply issues with getting materials to start the process. Ms. Mason asked if the contractor who is purchasing the property if they purchased to keep the building or resell the building. Mrs. Melson-Williams replied she was not sure of the intended outcome for the future use of the building. Chairman Czerwinski mentioned that it is good news. This property reminded him of a property several years ago on Bradford Street (a Dutch Colonial duplex) that needed repair and the contractor did a really good job. Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned it was the duplex immediately north of The People’s Church. OLD BUSINESS Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that there were no updates. Implementation of 2019 Comprehensive Plan Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that there were no updates. She mentioned that the Historic District area was expanded with this last project (Rezoning Application). Ms. Mason moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Horsey, and unanimously carried 4-0. Roll Call Vote to Adjourn the Meeting Ms. Horsey – Yes Ms. Mason-Yes Mr. Street – Yes Mr. Czerwinski – Yes Meeting adjourned at 5:12 PM Sincerely, Maretta Savage-Purnell Secretary 14