Update on 701 Summit

The following is from the SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION, November 5, 2009

701 Summit Avenue, Hill Historic District, by Tom Johnson, for a building permit to alter the design of the terra cotta tiles on the east and west elevation bay and bump-out. File #10-002 design of the terra cotta tiles on the east and west elevation bay and bump-out. File #10-002 (Nelson, 266-6715) Laid over from the October 22 Meeting.

Staff read the report last meeting for the public record, but re-read the staff recommendation. Since the original staff report, staff has been in touch with a custom clay tile company in Colorado who could reproduce the tiles. There was another bid for 80 tiles that would cost $2750. Commissioner Thomas asked if any other sources for tiles had been found. There was written testimony from a neighbor that listed seven sources they found online of custom tile makers. Commissioner Thomas mentioned Mercer Tileworks in Doylestown, PA, that may be a possible resource. The applicant, Thomas Johnson, searched for tiles locally, asked two architects, North Prairie Tile Works in Minneapolis and a Milwaukee brick maker, for information on finding tiles or custom making them. No one he spoke with could guarantee an exact match, due to the ridges on both sides of the tiles. Since the original submittal, the owner stated he would like to modify his application. The estate owners found several tiles in the basement of the house, and they have been able to fill a large portion of the biggest gap with them. The applicant proposes to remove one row of the shaped tiles from the west elevation, instead of the two rows originally proposed. Commissioner Trout-Oertel stated that she had been at the site today and the shaped tiles were also on a shed roof area toward the rear, and it could be possible to replace the tiles on the shed with flat tiles that have already been purchased. Commissioner Igo asked if the newly found tiles, the shed tiles and with just one row from the opposite bay fill in the remaining spaces. The applicant stated that the largest gap should be able to be filled with the current tiles, but he is not sure about how far under the windows can be filled in. Commissioner Trout-Oertel mentioned that not all of the tiles on the shed were in good enough shape to be used on the bay. Commissioner Igo asked Mr. Johnson if he was OK with moving tiles from the shed, which he was, “definitely.” Chair Manning asked if there was anyone else to speak on this item; there was not. Staff read the written testimony, three neighbors whose general consensus was that replica replacement tiles should be found. Staff then mentioned that there are code enforcement orders on this property, so there is a limited time frame to get the work done. Commissioner Igo asked if the $2750 estimate was for the mold or tiles; staff believes it was for making the tiles. He then asked other commissioners to comment on their thoughts for removing tiles from the shed. Commissioner Igo made a motion to prioritize the options, letting staff oversee and approve the final work. He wanted all efforts to find a tile company to be pursued, although Mr. Johnson spoke up to say that the estate does not have the financial means for that option. Commissioner Trimble believes that it would be OK to take tiles from a feature that isn’t a character defining one. He amended the motion to say that the first option should be to reuse tiles found in the basement and from the shed roof area. Then reproduction should be the next step, and finally removing one row from the west elevation’s bay to fill in on the east elevation. Discussion on the motion was opened, and Commissioner Trout-Oertel said they were close to having enough tiles, and it would be a shame to remove anything from the bay that is intact. It may be a better idea to leave that bay as designed, and find reproduction tiles. She also brought up that in coming years, more tiles will need replacement and it would be a good idea to find them as soon as possible. Commissioners Igo and Trimble clarified that Commissioner Trout-Oertel would like to remove the third option of their motion, which she did. Commissioner Carey wants to remove the option of disrupting the intact bay. Commissioners Igo and Trimble were in agreement that the motion should be amended. The first option should be to reuse tile found in the building and from the shed roof area. The applicant should work with HPC staff to find reproduction tiles to fill in remaining gaps. Commissioner Thomas brought up the shed and asked how it was characterized, and added that there should be documentation of its original character. Commissioner Trout-Oertel agreed, but added that it is a relatively small section of shaped tiles on the shed, so little character will be lost, especially when the flat tiles will be continued. Chair Manning asked that staff get documentation of the shed as it looks today, before tiles start to be removed. The motion carried, 5-0.