Cleveland Park Historical Society
Report of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC)
Monday, March 11, 2024
ARC Members attending:Â Â Christine Hobbs, Ron Ngiam, David Kay, Phil Eagleburger, Tina Mead, Ana Evans, Danny Ince, Anne Weir, and Stefan Hurray. Also attending was Stephen Hansen, Executive Director, Cleveland Park Historical Society.
This meeting was held via ZOOM.
3400 Lowell Street, N.W. (Cleveland Park Congregational Church)
Agent: Lou Balodemas, Balodemas Architects, Chtd.
The Cleveland Park Congregational Church was constructed in the Gothic Revival style in 1922 and 1923 and is a contributing structure in the Historic District. The proposal presented includes the construction of an approximately 50-foot ramp run in the front of the Church in order to create a front entrance that is accessible to all. The ramp would be pulled forward in order to accommodate the existing window wells and gas meter while maintaining the façade of the building.   New flag stones steps will be constructed at both front entrances and will be flanked by stone matching the existing landscape stone along the sidewalk.  The existing stone side walls at the stairs will be modified as required using existing stone.  The guard rails will be black metal and landscaping will be added to replace the front hedges that will be removed during construction.  The ARC had reviewed and supported a similar proposal in 2019.
The ARC thinks this a successful design, solving for a practical challenge and has no objection to the proposal as presented.  However, the ARC suggests that consideration be given to constructing a wider landing where the ramp meets the sidewalk on the west end of the ramp.
The motion passed 9-0.
3535 Ordway Street, N.W.
Agent:Â David Kaplan, RTIFEX
Constructed in 1934 in the colonial farmhouse style, this house is a contributing structure in the Historic District. A rear addition was added to the house in the 1980’s and in 2010, a rear shed dormer was added to the original roof on the third floor. The proposal includes replacing the existing rear deck with a larger screened porch, rear deck and stairs to the yard. The roof of the screened porch will be metal and contain four skylights. The non-contributing, alley-facing garage will be replaced with a larger two-car garage. Windows, siding, and the front door will also be replaced. The windows and the front door will be replaced in kind; in the front, the windows will be six over six while the windows in the 1980’s addition will be six over one. The garage will be brick-faced, while the replacement siding on the 1980’s addition will match the existing siding and probably be hardiboard.
Given the size of the screened porch, the details and quality of the materials become even more important.  The design might be more easily managed with a slightly smaller structure. Additional consideration should be given to the thickness of the roof and the placement of the skylights. In considering window and front door replacement or repair, further investigation of the historic conditions on the front of the house is recommended. Where possible, the original historic windows should be retained with the other front façade replacement windows to match. Although the majority of the construction is at the rear of the house and only slightly visible from the alley, the front façade is also impacted by window and door replacement. Further refinement will result in a successful project.
The motion passed 9-0.
3432 Ashley Terrace, N.W.
Owner: Valerie Hletko
Built in 1899, and designed by Robert Head, this house is a contributing structure in the Historic District. The current proposal involves replacing the front columns. Following extensive rehabilitation work on the house in 2022 and 2023 and the closing of the permit, it was determined that the front porch and columns needed to be replaced. The columns were replaced, changing their style and number in the process. The current proposal would once again replace the front columns with scamozzi style columns.
It was difficult to evaluate this proposal due to missing documentation particularly in regards to the original number, placement and design of the columns and any subsequent changes that were made to the columns in earlier years.   Earlier photos of the front of the house appear to show three columns at the corners. These columns are now missing.  The current proposal is an improvement over the existing condition and appears to be closer to the original. However, the ARC regrets that the number of columns in the front has been reduced.
The motion passed 9-0.
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