HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
1 JUNKINS AVENUE
City Council Chambers

RE: Actions taken by the Portsmouth Historic District Commission at a meeting held on April 3, 2002, Council Chambers, Municipal Complex, One Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

PRESENT: Vice-Chairman David Adams; Members Rick Becksted, John Golumb, Ellen Fineberg, Joanne Grasso; Planning Board Representative Paige Roberts; Alternates Maija Hibbard and Richard Katz

ALSO PRESENT: Roger Clum, Assistant Building Inspector

ABSENT: Chairman John Rice

Due to the absence of Chairman Rice, Vice-Chairman Adams was acting Chair. First alternate Maija Hibbard became a voting member.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS

    1. Petition for William and Sue Mautz, owners, for property located at 338 Middle Street to allow exterior renovations to an existing structure (to replace three 3-over-1 double-hung true divided lites to match existing on the front façade and three 6-over-1 double-hung true divided lites to match existing on the rear facade; and to install an operable skylight to the west third floor mansard roof) as per plans on file in the Planning Department.

John Rummler, applicant for the petition, withdrew the skylight portion of the application, which was tabled to the next meeting on May 1, 2002. The Commission voted to grant the petition as presented.

    1. Voted to grant the petition for DeNunzio Realty LLC, owner, for property located at 10 Commercial Alley to allow exterior renovations to an existing structure (to replace one wooden double-hung window on the Alley side to match existing) as per plans on file in the Planning Department.

    2. Voted to grant the petition for 325 State Street LLC, owner, and JSA Architects, applicant, for property located at 325 State Street for demolition of a three-story masonry commercial building and to construct a five-story brick, mansard roofed retail, commercial and residential building as per plans on file in the Planning Department with the following stipulations:

 

    1. That elevation drawings take precedence; and
    2. That no awnings are approved.

An amendment was made to the motion that stated the following:

    1. That prospective drawings are for illustration only; and
    2. That a brick and mortar onsite mockup be approved by the Commission.

    1. Voted to grant the petition for Charles Hoyt, owner, for property located at 149 Islington Street to allow installation of a new freestanding structure (to install three ductless air condensing and heat pump units on the rear facade) as per plans on file in the Planning Department.

      2.  

    2. Voted to table the petition of Nobles Island Condominium Association, owner, and DeStefano Architects, applicant, for property located at 500 Market Street (Nobles Island) to allow exterior renovations to an existing structure (to replace wood clapboard siding with vinyl siding on the rear/side facades) as per plans on file in the Planning Department.

A Site Walk has been scheduled for April 27, 2002, at 9:30 a.m.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Commission voted to accept and approve the minutes for the meeting of March 6, 2002.

 

  1. WORK SESSIONS
    1. Work Session requested by Anne Whitney, architect, for property located at 35 Mark Street. Said property is shown on Assessor Plan 116 as Lot 050 and lies within the Mixed Residential Office and Historic A districts.

      2. The owner is proposing to add a garage, which will need Board of Adjustment approval for setbacks, and a one-story addition that includes an enclosed three-season porch on the existing house. The Commission was concerned about the scale and proportion of the addition and how it sets on the side of the building. The Commission felt it is an inappropriate location for the enclosed porch. Currently, there is no onsite parking and the proposed garage will provide parking for two cars and a storage area. The Commission had some concerns about the composition of the garage and dormer and would like it to look more like a traditional garage.

       

    2. Work Session requested by Katherine Paine, owner, for property located at 133 Islington Street. Said property is shown on Assessor Plan 138 as Lot 015 and lies within the Central Business B and Historic A districts.

      3. Ms. Paine, owner of the property, is proposing to retain the existing brick structure (Knights of Columbus building), to demolish the function hall and its various appendages, and to construct ten residential units on the rear of the property. Parking will be available underneath each of the units and the entrance to the parking will be from Hanover Street. It will be a mansard type building with a federal style gable end and faux chimney. This will allow for a flat roof area for utilities and skylights. The overall consensus of the Commission was the façade of the rear elevation seems inappropriate for the neighborhood. The window assembly would cause a light problem that would be disruptive to the neighbors as the lights would be on 24-hours a day. Furthermore, the Commission felt the building is too huge for the neighborhood and there is a definite need to make it look smaller. Particular attention should also be made to the front corner view on Islington Street, which will be architecturally the most difficult view to handle.

      The Commission recommended a Site Walk, which has been scheduled for April 27, 2002, at 10:00 a.m.

    3. Work Session requested by Larry McManus, owner, for property located at 200 Market Street. Said property is shown on Assessor Plan 118 as Lot 010 and lies within the Central Business B and Historic A districts.

This Work Session was withdrawn until next month's meeting.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

The Commission voted to adjourn at 10:10 p.m.

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