Minutes Historic District Commission w(attached Resolution)

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 The Meeting of the City of Dover Historic District Commission was held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 3:30 PM as an In-Person meeting in the City Hall Council Chambers (anchor location) and virtually using the videoconferencing system Webex. With Chairman Czerwinski presiding, the other members present were Ms. Horsey, Mrs. Richardson, and Mrs. Mason. Planning Office Staff members present were Mrs. Melson-Williams, Ms. Katherine Oehmke, and Mrs. Savage-Purnell. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Horsey moved for approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Mrs. Richardson, and the vote was unanimously carried 4-0. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING OF JUNE 20, 2024 Mrs. Richardson moved for approval of the Meeting Minutes of June 20, 2024, seconded by Ms. Mason, and approved 4-0. COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS Summary of Applications for 2023 and 2024 Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that the Commission reviewed a total of 5 applications in 2023. All of them are either complete or underway. With the Permit Referral that was reviewed for 153 S. Bradford Street, they were initialing looking to demolish the second floor of that building. However, after meeting with you, they re-evaluated their options and brought forth a Permit to complete renovations and repairs of the masonry instead; thus, keeping the full building intact. The renovation work is underway. For 2024, as of today the Commission is reviewing their sixth application (HI-24-06). There are notably two requests for Demolition and then another request for Demolition of buildings in the Historic District. For the Demolition of the building at 120 South Governor's Avenue (the old Acme grocery store) that permit was issued and from conversations today, it appears that demolition activity is well underway at that location. The other one of note, is a project for the Legislative Hall Parking Garage (HI-24-04) at 425 East Avenue that is beside the Del-One Federal Credit Union Building. The Historic District Commission reviewed that earlier this summer and provided a Recommendation on its Architectural Review Certification. That project and its Site Plan was at the City's Planning Commission earlier this week and the Planning Commission granted Conditional approval to the Site Plan along with final approval on the Architectural Review Certification for that project. They did not require any additional changes. They received a full report including your meeting minutes on your deliberations on that project specifically. I think the one concerns you had was related to the screening of the portion of the project where there would be a generator in the future. For the screening of that wall and nearby fencing, they have made those updates to their Plan. They'll move through a review process to finalize that Plan before construction could commence there.

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION _ _ SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 certainly visit the City's website at www.cityofdover.com to see the openings across all departments. SPECIAL RECOGNITION Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned as you know Mr. Jonathan Street was a member of the Historic District Commission, Due to changes in employment and where he currently resides, he had to step down from the Historic District Commission. As is tradition when a member of a Commission steps down for whatever reason, we do prepare a Resolution honoring their time of service with the Commission. At your indulgence, I will let you know that Mr. Street has joined us virtually today from somewhere in North Carolina. I'll read the Resolution into the record. (See attached Resolution) Ms. Horsey moved to approve the Resolution honoring services of Jonathan N.H Street to the Historic District Commission, seconded by Mrs. Richardson, and unanimously carried 4-0 of the members present. Mr, Jonathan Street said good afternoon, everybody! I hope you're all doing well. I don't think I ever want to hear my name repeated that much in one paragraph ever again, but I hope you guys can hear me. Thank you very much. I didn't anticipate or expect this. I served to help the City, not necessarily for any recognition, but it was an absolute pleasure and hope you guys continue the mission. Mrs. Melson-Williams, thank you Jonathan. I don't know if any of the Commission members would like to say anything at this point. Chairman Czerwinski stated thanks a lot for your help with the Board. It's been a real honor serving with you and I wish you the best of luck in everything you do in your future. I will always be thinking of you. Ms. Horsey, thank you. You brought in an element that maybe the rest of us do not have, and that's your engineering background. So, thank you. We miss you already. Mr. Street replied, ’m sure. Ms. Mason noted Jonathan, I'm sorry I've missed you in the last few months, but I really enjoyed all your wisdom and knowledge while you were here. So, good luck with you. Mr. Street replied, thank you Mary, I'm glad to see you're back. I'm glad you're on the mend. Ms. Mason said thank you, I am glad to be back. Mrs. Richardson continued; I just want to thank you. I've always been very impressed with your knowledge and your addition to any conversation we were having. Although I haven't becn on the Board very long, I’m just glad that I got to know you as a member. Mr. Street answered well, thank you all very much. It's a little overwhelming. | didn't expect it.

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION _ ________ SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 top windows. Just because it’s another addition we want to describe it and make sure it's notable in some way. We looked at it and it was looking too similar to the original 1902 structure. I immediately went back to the 1968 structure as what was given as a precedent of then replicating too closely with new materials obviously. Two of the comments that were made were the window type and materials of the windows. The windows are all wood on The Green including this building as well. With working from the State, you've seen that they would prefer a wood with the clad exterior. So, that's what we are proposing. The keystones are also mentioned and are a cast stone material. The brick will be matching the existing brick. There will be a slight difference in the watertable that is currently marble on the structure now. We're proposing a molded brick watertable that would give a little bit of a difference. Then the existing windowsills look like they are marble, and they will be a pitched brick. I don't know if you can tell on our renderings, we are maintaining a piece of the existing 1968 addition where there's a little shadow line. You can see where that sort of projects a few inches and then you have the four arch windows. We don't cover up entirely that whole piece that has a foot and a half that’s exposed. We were still giving that story that you can see. So, it's telling the story. We can see the building evolving and its dates, and that 1968 piece is still there, and the extension comes out just a few feet from it. Ms. Grove asked if anyone had any questions. Mrs. Robinson asked why didn't you continue the marble watermark (watertable) to tie in with the existing building? Responding, Ms. Grove stated that we certainly can, and it was considered. I sit on a Historic District Commission myself and I know by working with National Parks’ Standards, we want to make things just slightly different so we're not completely replicating it. Then it becomes an issue when you're looking at the structure and you're trying to figure out how it's evolved. You know, it's years and gives its story. That's one of the reasons why we did a pitched sill and a molded brick watertable just to give it a little bit of a difference between what's there from the 1902 and what's done in 1968. You can then look at it and say, oh, this is different. It's a matter of trying to blend it but making it slightly different. Is marble what they want? That was just our reason to just to give it some minor definition of how it’s structured. Does that make sense? Ms. Grove asked if there were any other questions. Ms. Horsey commented that being closely involved with this building for the last several decades, I know it inside and out and its history. I think this most recent addition is just right because it is distinctive in how you have laid it out. I do like that you picked up the curved elements of the windows. That brings a distinction of its own. It does have history with the building. This site has looked very different since 1912 when the State House was, you know, “Georgianized”, so to speak, and the two mansions were torn down. I have no problem. The space is definitely inadequate. It's chronic and overly crowded in that building, so I think the design works well. Ms. Grove said thank you, appreciate that.

CITY OF DOVER HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION SC SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 Chairman Czerwinski asked if anyone has anything they want to discuss about this project before we move forward with a motion? The public hearing was closed seeing no one else to speak. Ms. Horsey moved for approval of the Architectural Review Certification Application HI-24-06 for the Delaware Supreme Court Building addition and renovation to include Staff comments. It was seconded by Mrs. Richardson. The vote was unanimously carried 4-0. NEW BUSINESS Review of Permits Referred to Commission Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that there are no new Permits that we need to bring to you today. OLD BUSINESS Certified Local Government (CLG) Program Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned I believe there's still an opportunity that is open to us about that CLG Grant. Staff from the Historic Preservation Office did mention in an email earlier that they hope to be circling back with us regarding the grant opportunity. Staff will assess the capacity to be dealing with that. If you remember correctly, that was a process that we were looking to go out for consultant services to come up with some research and information on dealing with alternative and modem materials in the Historic District. Implementation of 2019 Comprehensive Plan Mrs. Melson-Williams mentioned that she did not have anything specifically for the Historic District Commission, today on that. I will note that in the Downtown, the Department of Water and Wastewater is continuing to plan for a major infrastructure project along the Lockerman Street corridor, as well as associated street improvements. The Downtown Dover Pathway Study was recently presented to Council by the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization). That gave some guidance on potential infrastructure improvements while they're digging for utilities that may alter the kind of the street section, if you will, of what is parking, travel lanes, and sidewalks in the block of Lockerman Street between State Street and Governors Avenue and towards the train station intersection. I'll bring you updates as that project moves forward. Mr. Mason moved to adjourn the meeting seeing no other items of business, seconded by Mrs. Richardson, and unanimously carried 4-0 of the members present.

Resolution Whereas, Jonathan N.H. Street became a member of the City of Dover Historic District Commission in February 2018 and has served with diligence and distinction in this capacity as an advocate for implementation of the Historic District Standards and Guidelines to maintain the historic character of the city's Historic District; and, Whereas, Jonathan N. H. Street has played a key role in ensuring fundamental fairness and careful forethought in the planning and development of the Capital City through his service on the Historic District Commission; and, Whereas, Jonathan N. H. Street has shared his professional expertise in the fields of engineering and land development design in reviewing applications presented to the Historic District Commission; and, Whereas, Jonathan N. H. Street has influenced the pattern and appearance of development in the Historic District in Dover through his contributions to the development of the Historic Preservation chapter of the 2019 Comprehensive Plans; and, Whereas, Jonathan N. H. Street completed his service on the City of Dover Historic District Commission on June 20, 2024. Now Therefore Be It Resolved That, the City of Dover Historic District Commission does hereby express its sincere appreciation to Jonathan N. H. Street for his faithful and exemplary service to the Citizens of the City of Dover as a member of the City of Dover Historic District Commission. Dawn E. Melson-Williams Eric Czerwinski Chair, Historic District Commission Principal Planner September 19, 2024