The Historic Preservation Review Board met to consider the following items on December 20, 2012. Copies of staff reports related to cases listed below may be requested by email.
Video archives of the hearing are accessible on the office website.
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HPRB ACTIONS
December 20, 2012
The Historic Preservation Review Board met and considered the following items on December 20, 2012.
Present: Gretchen Pfaehler, Acting Chair; Rauzia Ally, Andrew Aurbach, Maria Casarella, Graham Davidson, Nancy Metzger, Robert Sonderman, and Joseph Taylor.
AGENDA
PRELIMINARY MATTER
The HPRB acknowledged receiving several letters, including from the affected ANC, requesting reconsideration of a project approved by the Board on the consent calendar in November October at 2012-2014 Kalorama Road, NW. The Board announced that it is their policy not to reconsider cases unless substantive new and different information is provided that warrants reconsideration. The Board asked that those requesting reconsideration submit any new information in writing by January 14th to the HPO. The Board will consider the information, and if warranted, schedule the case for the reconsideration on the HPRB agenda.
LANDMARK HEARING
Embassy of Mexico (MacVeagh Residence; Mexican Cultural Institute), 2829 16th Street, NW, Case #13-013.
The HPRB designated the former Embassy of Mexico (MacVeagh House), now the Mexican Cultural Institute, at 2829 16th Street, NW, a historic landmark to be entered into the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites and recommended that the nomination be forwarded to the National Register of Historic Places for listing at the local level of significance. Vote: 8-0.
CAPITOL HILL HISTORIC DISTRICT
410 E Street, NE (Stuart Hobson Middle School), HPA #12-616, concept/school modernization and new addition.
The Board approved the proposed removal of the school’s damaged chimney, retaining a base cap. Vote: 6-1 (Ally opposed; Taylor recused). The Board approved in concept the proposed north service addition, landscaping, and replacement of the non-original entry doors; final approval, with comments from the Board, was delegated to staff. The Board provided comments on the proportions, materials, and fenestration for the proposed addition along 4th Street and asked the applicants to return to the Board for further review when ready. Vote: 7-0 (Taylor recused).
GW/WEST END HISTORIC DISTRICT [PENDING]
Square 77 (bounded by 21st, 22nd, H and Eye Streets, NW), concept/alteration and lot combination of three apartment buildings (Schenley, Crawford and West End) for construction of new dormitory.
The HPRB approved the staff report, which recommended general approval of the concept, but directed the applicants to 1) re-examine the extent to which the historic buildings are being saved to see if more can be retained; 2) study further how the new building engages the retained sections; 3) restudy the designs of the elevations; 4) consider the pedestrian experience along the alley elevation; and 5) study opportunities to recycle demolished buildings. Vote: 6-0 (Taylor recused; Ally absent).
SHAW HISTORIC DISTRICT
917 M Street, NW, HPA #12-503, concept/new five-story residential building.
The HPRB approved the refinements made to date, including the more unified language for the façade’s masonry elements, and delegate final approval to staff. Vote: 6-0 (Taylor and Ally absent).
U STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT
1300 U Street, NW, HPA #12-432, concept/new construction, eight-story apartment building with ground level retail.
The HPRB found the proposed design to be very handsome but raised some concerns regarding its proposed height, mass and the treatment of its edge conditions as it related to its surrounding context. The HPRB directed the applicants to: 1) continue studying the height, massing, setbacks and reveals, along the perimeter of the building and particularly on the north elevation; 2) revise the 13th Street elevation to better address the scale of buildings across the street and on Wallach Place; 3) provide further detailing to the retail base; and 4) further differentiate the retail and residential entrances. Vote: 6-0 (Casarella recused, Ally absent).
CONSENT CALENDAR
The HPRB approved the following items on the consent calendar:
CLEVELAND PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT
3508 Macomb Street NW, HPA #13-061, concept/new front porch, rear addition, replace siding.
The HPRB asked that the attic window on the west elevation (page 9 in drawings) be changed to from a single window to a pattern of fenestration that replicated the other dormers.
MOUNT PLEASANT HISTORIC DISTRICT
1710 Irving Street, NW, HPA #13-089, concept/garage and front basement entrance [moved from agenda].
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT
1242 New Jersey Ave NW, HPA #13-019, concept/new construction, three-story, two-unit brick Rowhouse [deferred at request of HPRB pending additional information]
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