Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2017 11 20

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes October 16, 2017 Page 2 of 10 requesting to demolish the entire structure. Dean stated that the building is of the Folk -Victorian style and has some original construction, including decorative shingles, turned posts, and decorative brackets. Modifications include an enclosed porch, steel siding, new windows and a new front door, and a patio roof. The structure is 112 years old and maintains integrity in form and location. Staff finds that the building has social significance as it has been in the same Italian family for 79 years and Italians were an important factor in the settlement of Louisville. Architecturally it is in reasonable condition to be landmarked. If the Commission placed a 180 -day stay it would expire on March 6th, 2018. Koertje asked if the staff had discussed land -marking grants for repairs with the applicant. Dean responded that they had. Applicant — Ronald Buffo 1220 Grant Avenue, Louisville, stated that six generations of Buffos have lived in Louisville since 1893 and now the sixth generation of Buffos is living on the property. As such they respected the Commission's work and the history of the town. Buffo stated, however, that the internal condition of the house has major issues. The foundation — a concrete foundation with a dirt cellar — has been compromised. HUD reinforced the basement a few years ago and there are beams that hold up the flooring, but there are still crumbling dirt walls in the basement. Buffo did not have a cost estimate for building a new foundation. He stated that the water heater is also located in the basement, the wiring is old and much of it needs to be redone, and there is very little insulation in the roof, the windows don't close well, and the sewer will eventually need to be redone. Buffo added that there are also safety issues. His daughter intends to live on the property in a new home that will accommodate a family of five, but there is not enough room in the existing structure for a family of five. Buffo stated that the family did not want to sell the property. Chuck Thomas asked if the applicant would consider adding to the existing structure, such as other residents have done with old homes in Louisville. Buffo responded that they had considered that option, but that the existing structure would still require a lot of work to accommodate a viable add-on. Their plan is to start from scratch with a new foundation and try to maintain a few historical aspects of the house, such as the gables. Chuck Thomas noted that they could ask for a grant to incorporate the existing structure. Ulm asked if the add-on option was totally out of consideration. Buffo replied that the family was not considering an add-on. Haley asked for public comment. Seeing none, she turned to closed discussion. Chuck Thomas observed that the family did not seem to want to incorporate the old building, which is what he usually advocates. Fahey stated that the current appearance of the house was not close to the original structure. The social significance of the Buffo ownership would be continued regardless of the physical structure.