Report of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC)
Monday, September 9, 2024
ARC Members attending: Christine Hobbs, Ron Ngiam, Danny Ince, David Kay, Tina Mead, Win Brown, and Stefan Hurray. Also attending were Andrea Pedolsky, President, Cleveland Park Historical Society and Stephen Hansen, Executive Director, Cleveland Park Historical Society.
This meeting was held via ZOOM.
2944 Macomb Street, N.W.
Agent: Alan Field, Saltbox
Built in 1906 by the Cleveland Park Company, the original developer of Cleveland Park, and designed by John Sherman, 2944 Macomb Street is a contributing structure in the Cleveland Park Historic District and one of several “Sherman cottages.” The proposal under review includes the installation of a temporary residential platform lift at the front of the house. Due to the width of the lot, the shared driveway, and the lack of an alley, the front of the house is the optimal location for this wheelchair lift. The location at the front of the house has necessitated an HPRB review. A portion of the front porch wood railing will be removed, and the lift will be flanked by posts resembling those on the existing porch. Additional landscaping will be added to partial screen the lift from the street .
The ARC supports this project. The ARC suggests looking at a more open design for the top gate, one resembling porch railings, and encourages the owners to retain the existing banister section so that it can be reinstalled later.
The motion passed 7-0.
3238 Rodman Street, N.W.
Agent: Peter Nettelbeck Architect PLLC
Built in 1949, 3238 Rodman Street is not a contributing structure in the Historic District. The proposal includes the construction of a rear one-story addition above a two-story structure, approximately 500 square feet in size. The size of the addition has necessitated an HPRB review. The roof line of the addition will mirror that of the existing house and due to topography and landscaping will not be very visible from the sidewalk. The house is located across the street from Reservation 630 (formerly known as Marvin Hazen Trail). Materials include casement windows, similar to the existing windows in the house, and hardipanel siding.
The ARC has no objection to the proposal as presented. However, the ARC suggests further clarification of any potential impact of the addition on the rear neighbor. A section of this potential impact was not available for review.
The motion passed 7-0.
3601 35th Street, N.W.
Agent: Austin Parris, Lisa & Leroy
Built in 1915 and permitted by E.C. Oliver, this Aladdin ‘Brentwood’ model is one of 5 Hight & Co kit houses along Porter Street. The house was first lived in by Congressman Finis Garrett and family and is a contributing structure in the Historic District. In 2014 and 2015, the porch on the north side of the house was enclosed and a second story addition was constructed on top of the enclosure. The current proposal includes the enclosure of the existing side porch on the south side of the house which faces both Porter Street and 35th Street. The wood windows would match those of the recent addition on the north side of the house and the replacement columns would match the existing columns. The flat roof would retain the existing trellis design.
The ARC does not support the concept as presented. This front facing “ side porch” is a major feature of the original kit house design and the character of the front of the house would be impacted by this proposal. Located on a corner lot, the porch is visible from both 35th and Porter Streets. The proposed windows do not reference the original house but rather the more recent addition, which is less than 10 years old. The proposed in-filling on the non-window area with shingle siding to match the existing main house siding is inappropriate as it would muddy the distinction between what is original to the design and what is new. It is important to retain an open porch feel and to maintain the prominence of the columns.
The motion passed 7-0.
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