Architect's rendering of proposed renovation.

CAPE MAY — The city’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) granted conceptual approval Nov. 24 for a large renovation to an historic home at 537 Bank Street, a structure that may have housed railroad workers many years ago.

Ron and Terri Diubaldi applied to move the house nine feet away from the property line. A neighboring house encroaches three feet on their property line.

Architect Doortje Schipper, of Fenwick Associates of Linwood, described the homes as so close together “the roofs almost kissed.”

Diubaldi’s house will be set on new pilings. A large addition will be constructed on the back of the house with a rear deck.
A detached garage will be built on the property.

Schipper described the existing house as very modest in terms of detail and very simple. She said they were trying to build on what exists, “not make it more ornate.”

The house has a single gable and an enclosed porch on the front.

Schipper said the house is almost sitting on the ground in an area that floods, near Cape Island Creek and Venice Avenue. HPC Chairperson Mary Ann Gaffney said Venice Avenue was named because of its tendency to flood.

The first level of the renovated house will be raised to a height of 11 feet, said Schipper.

The home will have an elevator going from ground level to an attic. Total size would be 2,300 square feet.

The home would be sided in cedar shingles with white trim. The roof materials will be fiberglass/asphalt shingles, said Schipper.
She requested the use of H B & G Savannah railings made of cellular PVC available with wood or aluminum cores.

Commissioner Corbin Cogswell said non-wood materials were permitted on new construction but not for existing homes that contribute to the historic district.

Schipper requested Anderson windows that were a combination of wood and vinyl. Gaffney said HPC requires wood windows.
The applicant agreed to use wooden railings, doors and windows as per HPC guidelines.

The project will also require pile driving Gaffney said a city ordinance requires a report from a structural engineer to allow pile driving in the historic district.

HPC Solicitor Robert Fineberg said he would check on pile driving regulations affecting the project.

Gaffney said pile driving could cause damage to adjacent old homes.

Schipper said the owners wanted to tear down the house but could not since it is a contributing building to the historic district.

Contact Fichter at (609) 886-8600 Ext 30 or at: jfichter@cmcherald.com