MARIEMONT ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

REGULAR MEETING

MAY 19, 2008

 Mr. Koepke called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Present were Mr. Osgood, Mr. Koepke, Mr. Savage and Mrs. Boone. Also in attendance was the Building Commissioner, Dennis Malone. 

The first request was from Phillip and Lizabeth Dretzka, 6641 Chestnut Street, Mariemont, OH 45227 for a Certificate of Appropriateness for modifications to the front facade of the residence and the addition of a privacy fence at subject property. Mr. Dretska said previously when they appeared before the ARB they intended to unify the structure, but plans have changed based on market conditions, being locked into the property and the new condo development along Miami Road. They are looking to keep these as separate town homes and legally divided the property using zero lot line allowance and sell them as individual properties. They plan on a simple colonial look with details that are found within the neighborhood. There will be all new Pella windows with true divided lights along the exterior of the house. The roof does not need a new roof so they may just put on new dimensional shingles on the lower projection. They also plan to add new landscaping. They will be adding crown molding and extending out the triangular peaks approximately six inches. 

Mr. Koepke asked if there was enough room for the crowning molding under the gutter. Mr. Dretzka said they are using a 5 ¼ - 5 ½ crowning molding and it has been measured to make sure it will fit. Mr. Koepke asked if there will be new gutters installed. Mr. Dretzka said the gutters are in pretty good shape. They will be power washed and possibly painted. The front doors are showed in red however they may go with mahogany. The doors will be ¾ glass with simulated divided lights.

Mr. Dretzka said a wood fence makes the most sense for the neighborhood. The goal is to get as much separation privacy as possible with the 6 foot fence approval by ARB. They are open to the styling of the fence. Mr. Dretzka explained in detail the proposed plans for the fence. Building Commissioner Malone said a wood fence in a neutral color such as beige, gray or tan would be appropriate. Mrs. Boone moved, seconded by Mr. Savage to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness. On roll call; four ayes, no nays. 

The second request was from Steven Shinn, Architect with Phillip Markwood Architects Inc., 240 North Fifth Street, Suite 140, Columbus, Ohio 43215 acting as agent for Mariemont Community Church – Parish Center, 3908 Plainville Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227 for a Certificate of Appropriateness for proposed modifications to the rear façade of the Parish Center. Mr. Shinn said more design work was done on the elevations relating to the small addition on the back of the Parish Center. The goal is to expand the worship space and to provide a little more natural light on the interior of the worship space and some indirect lighting to light a cross form that is showing up inside the sanctuary. The updated elevations were provided in the packet that was submitted. He displayed to the members of ARB a rendering of an existing photograph of the back of the building superimposing the addition into the photograph. The intent of the addition was to pick up the water table course. It will be a stucco addition with EIFS applied to the new concrete wall which will pick up the water table. The color at the bottom will be picking up the color of the existing concrete base.  The intent is for the stucco to match both in color and texture to the stucco that is presently exists along the back of the building. 

Mr. Koepke said he believes it is still ‘too hard’ looking. Mrs. Boone said she played with Photoshop because she too felt that it was too harsh. She gave some examples that introduced brick as a cross etc. just to give a little more character. She said it looks like a new addition to an old building - almost modern. Mr. Shinn said the intent was to make sure that this came across as being an addition as being contemporary but in context both in terms of scale and materials, but at the same time the mass and the details are a little bit different.

Mr. Koepke asked if there were any other options to look at. Mr. Shinn said this is the only one we are looking at this evening. The Church does not have it in the budget to cover the existing concrete base with EIFS or stucco material as they would like to. He asked if they could get that as an alternative means approved, so they would not have to appear before ARB again. The intent would be picking up the color of the tan stone. The ARB members all agreed that that made sense. 

Mr. Kopeke asked about the permit process because he does not believe the free standing wall design is up to expectation. Building Commissioner Malone said we could certainly issue a partial permit. If it was the sense of ARB that they did not want to approve this we would not want to hold up the rest of the work.

Mr. Koepke said it is a great idea and he really likes the concept of illuminating the cross from inside the existing building. But he is not comfortable with the way it has taken shape on the outside. He would like to see additional creative solutions. 

Mr. Savage asked if it is important enough to make it look like a contemporary addition. Why not make it look like part of the original building? He does not think it is big enough to stand as a contemporary addition. Mr. Kopeke said it is not an addition it is an element that has been attached to the building. He is not sure about the treatment of base. 

Pastor Beausejours asked for clarification if the piece in the back of the building was too big, too plain and too empty. The members of ARB said that was correct. If there was something to break it up, such as a window, it would look better. Mr. Savage said he has worked on several projects that involved fake filled in type windows. Mr. Shinn said it is going to be solid so the question is can it be manipulated by color and materials. Mr. Koepke said his objection is in mimicking the base of the building and then not applying any context to the remainder of the addition. It should be either more details or more contemporary or completely go the contextual route. He believes there is room for more detailing whether it stays contemporary or traditional. 

Mrs. Boone said she would not prefer contemporary. She loves the building and what the Church is doing with it. She does not want to see glaring contemporary additions. She would rather see more traditional elements. 

Mr. Koepke said he sees a wonderful idea with the cross. It is a sculptured element from within but it is lacking the same sculptural integrity from the outside. It is a necessary component to the success of the sculptural on the inside. It is a good idea but it needs to be executed. He suggested looking at the proportions of the architecture adjacent to it and try to figure out some way to get some detail so it has the same rhythm, pattern or architectural scale. 

Mr. Savage suggested having Mr. Shinn sending in some more sketches that ARB could review. It would not require Mr. Shinn to attend another ARB meeting. Mr. Shinn said he would get some additional sketches to Mr. Malone who will distribute to the members of ARB for a straw vote. 

The third request was the confirmation of the enhanced Tudor-styled elements of the Shelter Building at Dogwood Park which has been authorized by Village Council. Building Commissioner Malone said at the last ARB meeting there were two versions presented. One was a stripped down version which included a steel frame and asphalt shingled roof without any architectural detailing. It was priced out separately with the additional costs to veneer the steel members to somewhat match the Nolen Pavilion with the exception that it will not have the slate roof. It would have cost approximately $20,000 for the embellishments. Clarence Erickson’s sons have generously agreed to donate $45,000 into the budget for both the toilet facilities and the shelter which will include all of the architectural details and Tudor-styled-elements. We will be able to get the entire package this summer. He will have samples in the office if the members care to see the materials and colors. The Village will approve the lease agreements with the Emery Foundation at the upcoming Council meeting. There will be some sort of naming plaque but the details have not yet been established. We anticipate a construction start date of June 16, 2008. Hopefully construction will be complete by Labor Day and the upcoming soccer season. CFS (Cincinnati Facilities Services) will be constructing the shelter building and Tomlin Construction will be doing the restroom facilities. There will be a transparent gate with the existing gate remaining.

Mrs. Boone moved, seconded by Mr. Savage that the minutes of April 16, 2008 be approved as written. On roll call; four ayes, no nays. 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.