Window request approved

A closer look at the Downtown Portland Historic Preservation District guidelines meant a local property owner got his wish.

Members of the Portland Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday and reviewed Certificate of Appropriateness requests for property owners seeking matching grant funds to replace and repair their windows. One property owner asked to replace his wooden-framed windows with vinyl windows.

Commission members initially thought vinyl windows were not recommended in the guidelines. But on closer inspection, members determined that vinyl windows are not discouraged.

Brian Rippey, owner of B&S Excursions, 113 N. Meridian St., and Manor's Foot Care Shop, 115 N. Meridian St., said Wednesday evening he preferred to replace four storefront windows with vinyl windows. He said vinyl is more durable and energy-efficiant than aluminum.

"I will not refurbish (the wooden windows) period," he said to the commission. He said the frames of the existing windows have rotted.

Joe Jarzen, who serves as an adviser to the commission, said he thought the use of vinyl windows was not recommended in the guidelines.

"(Vinyl is) not the same. They don't look the same," he said, recommending that Rippey use aluminum instead. Jarzen added that he has had bad experiences with vinyl windows in the past.

Both businesses are housed in one building. The structure was built in 1963, Rippey said. He wants the new windows to have a grid pattern, similar to the building's original windows.

Commission member Pati McLaughlin reviewed the guidelines during the meeting. "It says avoid a multi-pane design, but it never says no vinyl," she said.

Despite this discovery, Jarzen stuck with his earlier decision. "There's no way I can recommend vinyl," he said.

Commission members voted to award the project a Certificate of Appropriateness. Rippey is permitted to use either vinyl or aluminum.

The Downtown Façade Funding Grant Committee will make the final decision on which projects are awarded grant funds.

Also Wednesday, commission members reviewed another application to repair or replace windows at White Linen Hall, 121 N. Meridian St.

Sandy Bupb said she obtained a quote to repair six wooden windows on the second floor of the building, and to install storm windows. She said she wasn't sure whether she wanted to repair the windows or replace them with aluminum windows.

Jarzen said the historic district guidelines recommend that wooden windows be restored. "My recommendation is salvage and restore," he said.

Most of the board members agreed that repairing the windows would be the best option, because they would preserve the historic integrity of the structure. But Milo Miller Jr. said Bubp should be able to choose. Aluminum windows are permitted in the guidelines.

The cost to repair the windows would be $10,900, while replacing the windows would cost $11,200.

Commission members Barry Hudson, Emily Roberts, McLaughlin, Christy Corle and Pat Sheffer voted to award Certificates of Appropriateness for both options, with the addition that the commission preferred the wooden window frames. Miller cast the lone dissenting vote. Commission member Don Gillespie did not attend the meeting.

After the meeting, Miller said he voted against the matter because both types of windows are listed as appropriate, and that he feels Bubp should be able to decide which windows she wants.

In a related matter, commission members also voted to award a Certificate of Appropriateness for Bubp to replace a dome-shaped awning at Kesslers Sport Shop, 216 N. Meridian St., with an awning that has a 45-degree slope.

The cap for matching grant funds through the façade grant program has been set at $10,000 per project. A total of $50,000 in grant funds is available.[[In-content Ad]]