Monday, October 10, 2022
ARC Members attending: Christine Hobbs, Ron Ngiam, Stefan Hurray, Ana Evans, Tina Mead, Anne Weir, and David Kay. Also attending were Bonnie LaPard, President, Cleveland Park Historical Society and Stephen Hansen, Executive Director, Cleveland Park Historical Society.
This meeting was held via ZOOM.
3722 35th Street, N.W.
Agent: Jeffery Broadhurst, Broadhurst Architects
3722 35th Street, N.W. was built in 1922 and is a contributing structure in the historic district. The proposal includes a new two-story rear addition and a new one-story cantilevered bay addition on the north side of the house, facing Rodman Street. There are no proposed changes to the front of the house. This house is part of a row of brick-sided row houses in an assemblage of three-two-three row houses. Many of the original sleeping porches of these houses have previously been enclosed. The house on the south end of this row is currently undergoing a renovation that includes the addition of a side bay. The approximately eight-foot rear sleeping porch would be removed and replaced by an approximately sixteen-foot two-story plus basement addition. The rear addition would present as an enclosed sleeping porch with windows, infill panels and a shed roof. A six-foot landing at the rear of the addition and stairs to the yard would also be built. A new basement entrance will be added on the north side of the house in addition to new windows at the basement level and on the second floor.
The ARC was concerned that the proposed addition, landing, and stairs, especially as seen from Rodman Street, might overwhelm the house which seems to have retained all its original exterior characteristics. The ARC suggests that either the addition or the landing or both be slightly reduced in size and that the rear outside stairs be designed as a switchback.
The motion passed 6-1 with one member having no objection to the proposal as presented.
3421 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Agent: John Edwards, Bonstra Haresign Architects
Located at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Norton Place, 3421 Wisconsin Avenue was built in 1924/1925 and is a contributing structure in the historic district. It is also the end unit on a row of townhouses facing Wisconsin Avenue. The row of townhouses and this house in particular have been altered over the years. The proposal presented includes rear, side, and roof additions. There would be minimal changes to the front of the house, with an alternation to the third-floor dormer and the reconstruction of an original brick pier. The existing one-story side addition, which is probably not original to the house, would be extended along the Norton Place side of the house, and the existing two-story house would also be extended towards the rear of the property. At the third floor, the roof would be raised behind the existing mansard roof and shed dormers added to the north and east sides, creating a third story. Materials would include terra cotta brick and red tiles on the roof, reflecting the existing elements. At the rear of the property, a new two-story addition designed as an enclosed sleeping porch with wood sliding would be built. Each side addition steps back as the building moves down Norton Place.
The ARC had concerns about the window placement in the new “sleeping porch” and suggests greater articulation of this element, perhaps pairing the window. Also, there were concerns from the ARC and from the neighbors about landscaping, fencing and trash receptacles.
The motion passed 7-0.
