808 Forstall St.

Staff Recommendations: 

808 Forstall Street first appears on the 1937 Fire Insurance Map, and there is no FEMA survey for the property.

On October 10, 2022, a final inspection was conducted, and the inspector found that an R-panel roof had been installed in deviation from the approved Certificate of Appropriateness (CofA). HDLC Guidelines state that R-panel metal roofing is only appropriate for Non-Contributing commercial structures. Metal roofing is generally not appropriate as a replacement for an asphalt roof on a Contributing rated historic building, as it can alter the building’s historic character and appearance. Traditional metal roofing was typically used in specific forms, such as standing seam, and on certain building types. It is not appropriate for highly visible roof slopes where historic materials such as shingles or slate would have been used. The Guidelines emphasize replacing roofing in kind and maintaining original materials and design, particularly on Contributing buildings where preserving historic integrity is a priority.

Staff notes that the applicant was previously approved to install a 5-V crimp metal roof, as the Guidelines differed at that time, and a permit was issued for that work. For these reasons, staff recommends no objection.