Title/Name/Summary
On the Road Again Deck and Fence - Certificate of Appropriateness
History
QUICKFACTS
Project
On the Road Again Deck and Fence - 2012-0133
Petitioner
Nancy Plesha
Purpose
To construct an approximately 450 square foot deck expansion to the existing rear deck and to construct a new picket fence in the side yard area facing Brook Avenue.
Requested Actions: Certificate of Appropriateness
Project Attributes
Address: 9925 W. 143rd Street
P.I.N.(s): 27-09-201-001; -002; -003
Size: 7,601 square foot lot
Comprehensive Land Designation: Community Intensity Commercial/ Office
Existing Zoning: OOH
Existing Land Use: Commercial Retail
Surrounding Land Use:
North: BIZ General Business District - School/ Insitutional
South: OOH Old Orland Historic District - (across alley) Single Family Home and Commercial Office
East: OOH Old Orland Historic District - Commercial Office
West: OOH Old Orland Historic District - (across Brook Avenue) Commercial Office/ Single Family Home
Preliminary Engineering: N/A.
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
9925 W. 143rd Street is a two-story Italianate structure from the 1880’s that according to the 2008 Residential Area Intensive Survey (RAIS) is considered a contributing structure to the Historic District. The structure is also listed as an Orland Park Landmark on the Local Register of Significant Places of Section 5-110 Landmarks of the Land Development Code. The historic survey dates the building to c. 1885 with “medium” integrity and in “good” condition.
The building was constructed as a residence. The building is now a commercial use.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & CONTEXT
The petitioner proposes to construct a new approximately 450 square foot deck expansion at the rear and side of the landmark building. There is an existing deck at the back of the building that will be replaced with the new deck addition. The new deck addition will wrap around the building’s southwest corner and follow the west façade north until the exterior staircase. Once there, the deck will incorporate the exterior staircase into its new design by turning the stairs to face the opposite direction, thereby terminating the stairs on the deck. The new orientation of the exterior stairs will eliminate the mid-level landing. The elimination of the mid-level landing will reestablish or “open” the view of a two-over-two window on the west elevation. Currently the landing blocks the view of half of that window area.
Section 6-209.G.4 of the Land Development Code identifies decks as major changes. Major changes on contributing structures/ landmarks require prior approval from the HPRC and the Village Board before they can be constructed.
In addition to the proposed deck expansion, the petitioner is requesting permission to eliminate the chain-link fence currently enclosing the side yard area of the property facing Brook Avenue. The chain-link will be replaced with a new picket fence that will meet the standards of the Historic District zoning regulations. The new picket fence is intended to enclose an outdoor area that will on occasion host various sales items.
The petitioner is not requesting any variances for the proposed work.
The recommendation motion includes the following conditions:
1) The new picket fence must meet all the requirements of Section 6-209 of the Land Development Code for fence height and be 50% open.
2) The proposed colors for the deck must match or complement the existing color scheme of the former residence.
3) Any updated landscaping must replace plant materials that are either dead or dying with similar new plant material.
Overall, the project conforms to the Village’s Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Codes and policies for this area.
SITE PLAN
The proposed site plan indicates the deck expansion and the manner in which it wraps around the southwest corner of the landmark building.
The proposed deck is located to the rear and side of the landmark building. The primary or principle façade of the landmark building is not impacted by the proposed improvement. The existing exterior staircase is not original to the historic structure. It established a precedent for building alterations on the secondary facades of the building. The proposed deck will not be any more noticeable from the principle façade (and from 143rd Street) than is the existing exterior staircase.
The proposed deck, however, will be visible from Brook Avenue, which is the corner-side street. In this case, the new expansion will be visible from the right-of-way. However, the existing exterior staircase and the existing rear deck are both already visible from this right-of-way. Both of these additions are not original to the building. The proposed deck continues these legacy improvements to the structure.
BUILDING ELEVATIONS
No changes are proposed to the building elevations but for the appearance of the new deck alongside the building.
The new deck itself will be made of the same or similar wood materials as the existing deck. The wolmanized wood will match the residential appearance of the building and provide long-term resistance to weathering elements.
The petitioner has not indicated what color the proposed deck will be, however the submitted drawings indicate a color similar to the existing siding color of the house (yellow). The proposed colors for the deck must match or complement the existing color scheme of the former residence.
LANDSCAPING
The petitioner has indicated that some landscape improvements will be made to the site. Mainly, the existing landscaping will be updated for a fresh new appearance. It is expected that any updated landscaping will replace plant materials that are either dead or dying with similar new plant material.
DETAILED PLANNING DISCUSSION
Land Use/Compatibility
The proposed improvements are compatible with the existing structure in so far as they continue legacy improvements to the structure on the non-principle elevations.
Setbacks
The construction of the new deck is well within the setback limits of the existing property and only extends eight feet from the building.
Accessory Structures
Fence(s) - The proposed new picket fence will replace the existing chain-link fence, improving site appearance and conditions. The new picket fence will run perpendicular from the end of the deck, west to approximately the west property line along Brook Avenue, where it will turn south to connect with the detached garage structure on the same property.
The new picket fence must follow Land Development Code requirements for fence height and be 50% opaque.
This is now before the Historic Preservation Review Commission for consideration.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to accept as findings of fact of this Historic Preservation Review Commission the findings of fact set forth in this staff report, dated March 20, 2012
And
I move to recommend to the Village Board approval of the preliminary site plan titled “On the Road Again Survey Sketch”, dated March 12, 2012, and the elevation and specification drawings for the picket fence and deck titled “Menards Design-It Fence” and “Menards Design-It Deck”, prepared by Menards, dated February 18, 2012, subject to the following conditions.
1. Install a new picket fence that meets all the requirements of Section 6-209 of the Land Development Code for fence height and be 50% open.
2. Match or complement the proposed colors for the deck expansion to the existing color scheme of the former residence.
3. Replace and update any dead or dying plant materials with similar new plant material.
4. Meet all building code related items.
and
I move to recommend to the Village Board approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the deck expansion and installation of a new picket fence for 9925 W. 143rd Street, an Orland Park Landmark and contributing structure, subject to the same conditions as outlined above.