Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 2008 07 21

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes July 21, 2008 Page 3 of 7 She asked the owner to consider saving the facade of the home as it is historically significant to the neighborhood in its scale and size. Willow Brook, 1590 North Garfield, stated that the yard of the home is unique to the area with a large number of old fruit trees. She added that the 1992 addition that is currently on the home keeps the style of the neighborhood. She stated her preference that they home be kept on the lot as it is. Scott Brook, 1590 North Garfield, stated that he felt the history of the home was important and that the 1992 remodel kept the original roofline and windows on the front of the home. He thinks a new home on that lot would have a large impact on the neighborhood and the loss of so many homes is affecting the character of the area. Lucy Meisel, 1834 Fillmore Court, stated that bigger isn't better when it comes to new homes in Old Town. Tom Ramsey, 1100 Grant Avenue, has been working with the owner. He noted that there is a great deal of change in Louisville and it has generally been positive. Louisville is a desirable place to live and the property values are rising. He stated that not all old homes are created equally, some can sustain an addition and others cannot. He added that this home is not in great shape, but it is not in immediate danger of falling down either. He stated the home does have problems. There is asbestos in the home, the chimney is separating from the building, and the existing floorjoists do not meet code. He added that the 1992 addition has a big box feel to it and the section on the front of the original home is has been altered. Lewis asked for Commission Questions and Comments. McMenamin stated that he was on the review committee for this home. He stated that the original section of the home has a great deal of architectural integrity and the rear 1992 addition could easily be removed. He suggested to the owner that he keep the original section of the structure and that a good architect could make that work. Muckle thanked the applicant for listening to the Commission. She stated that the removal of the asbestos from her house was surprisingly inexpensive and in her case she found wood siding underneath the asbestos that was in excellent condition. She encouraged the .applicant to remove the asbestos and preserve the original section of the home. Lewis noted that she should have asked this at the start of the hearing, but asked if any members of the HPC have any conflicts of interest regarding this hearing. No one did. Tofte noted that the current home is 1300 square feet, so building a 3000 square foot home is doubling the size. Miley stated that the 3000 square feet will include a finished basement, so the foot print of the home shouldn't be significantly larger than what is on the site now.