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Carriage House and Blacksmith's Shop PLN2007-00062 December 1, 2008 Page 3 There would be no significant change to the exterior of the Carriage House. The carriage doors would be fixed and not operational. (See attached Exhibits A, E, F, and G). • The footprint of the Blacksmith's Shop is smaller than the Carriage House and is even decreased further with the communal laundry room that is on the ground floor of the building, leaving only 268 square feet for a kitchen, bathroom and small dining area. To improve the livability of the unit by providing more space, the proposal includes utilizing the second floor loft as a sleeping area. The loft would be accessed by a new circular staircase near the center of the unit; the old stairway to the loft would be removed. In the Fire Department's review, the proposal requires a larger egress window on the northerly gabled - end of the building and taller head clearance in the loft (see Exhibit S). To accommodate the required egress window and head clearance, the proposal is to raise the height of the exterior walls and roof approximately one and one-half feet. (See attached Exhibits L, P, Q, R and S). • The existing storage shed at the rear corner of the property is in very poor structural condition and is in need of replacement. The proposed plans include the removal of the detached shed and a lean-to storage room at the rear of the Blacksmith's shop. (See attached Exhibits L, P, Q, R and S). • At the Planning Commission, on November 13, 2008, Mr. Bolinger, project designer and Dr. Danice Friend, property owner, explained when the property was purchased, the Carriage House and Blacksmith's Shop had already been converted to residential use by the previous occupants. They have been going through planning, zoning and building requirements to make the areas officially and legally habitable. They did not take on this project to circumvent issues but address them directly. • At the Planning Commission meeting Mr. Fred Reicker and Ms. Denise Kaplan (Library - Historical Commissioners), spoke as individual citizens expressing concern about the proposed increase in height to the Blacksmith's Shop. Mr. Reicker felt the increase in height would alter the work of the Best's architect, who designed the property's buildings with a view to scale, relationships and function. Second, if modified, the Blacksmith's Shop will no longer have the completeness or wholeness — the integrity — of the original structure as intended by the architect. Although the proposal to modify the structure may seem minor, it is nevertheless a change in the design and structure of the building. He was also concerned that approval of the proposed height increase could set a precedent for other historic properties to have their buildings increased in height and lose the design character that was originally intended. Ms. Denise Kaplan, clarified that the property has been designated as historical for many years and that this was noted on the title deed of the property; thus it was disclosed at the purchase of the property that the historical designation includes certain restrictions, in addition to privileges and advantages. • At the Planning Commission, Mr. David Gozum, 465 West Estudillo Avenue, adjacent resident and property owner to the Blacksmith's Shop spoke in opposition of the proposal to increase the height and convert the use of the adjacent building. He described the building as already very close to the property line and that the conversion of the structure into a residence would impact his privacy next door.