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Hollidaysburg council upholds HARB limits on aluminum window capping at 1011 Allegheny Street
Summary
The Hollidaysburg Borough Council on May 8 declined an applicant’s request to add aluminum capping to replacement windows at 1011 Allegheny Street, endorsing the Historic Architectural Review Board’s recommendation while approving limited vinyl window replacement with conditions.
Hollidaysburg Borough Council on Thursday, May 8 upheld the Historic Architectural Review Board’s (HARB) recommendation and denied a request to modify a previously issued certificate of appropriateness so the owner of 1011 Allegheny Street could add aluminum capping to replacement windows.
The decision keeps in place HARB’s condition that new vinyl windows may be installed but that aluminum capping is not allowed on certain street‑visible windows. Andy, director of community development, told the council HARB had concluded that aluminum capping “would have a negative impact on the character of the building and that the project will have an adverse effect on the historical district.”
The issue mattered to council members and HARB because of the historic district’s character and the concern that allowing aluminum capping could create a precedent affecting other properties. Adam Conrad, a HARB member, said the board’s position was driven by preservation standards: “The main issue here is, the slippery slope … as soon as you start capping these windows with coil stock … it radically changes the look of the house and the character.”
The property owner, Carmen Gullet, identified herself as co‑owner of 1011 Allegheny Street and described the request as a cost‑driven appeal. Gullet told council that vendor estimates to replace windows in a manner acceptable to HARB ran “roughly $80,000 compared to a vendor that we chose that was in the vicinity of 25 to 27 [thousand].” She said a middle option — scraping and repairing existing woodwork — had been estimated at roughly $15,000 to $30,000. Gullet argued aluminum capping would provide a warranty against water intrusion and reduce long‑term maintenance, saying, “the capping allows a complete seal … it protects the wood, and I am protected at least from any additional water damage.”
Council debate ranged from sympathy for an owner facing high repair costs to concern about setting a precedent that could erode the historic district’s protections. Multiple council members and HARB participants said the board’s role is to maintain consistent standards across cases, and several urged a broader review of guidance and enforcement so similar disputes can be resolved with clearer rules.
Council approved a motion to adopt HARB’s recommendation and, later in the meeting, passed Resolution 2025‑15 formally denying the applicant’s request to amend the December certificate of appropriateness to permit aluminum capping. The meeting record shows at least one dissenting vote on the earlier action to maintain HARB conditions, but the resolution denying the amendment passed.
The council and speakers repeatedly returned to two practical points: (1) the visual character of street‑visible windows (front and prominently visible side windows) was the primary preservation concern; and (2) non‑street‑visible openings such as basement windows in wells and some rear windows had generally been treated more permissively by HARB. Adam Conrad summarized the HARB view: the board can allow replacement where the wood is not visible, but capping highly visible wood elements departs from Department of the Interior preservation guidance.
Before the vote, Gullet said she would accept the council’s decision either way and asked only that the municipality consider the financial burden on homeowners in the historic district when applying preservation standards. Several council members said that a broader review of HARB guidelines, contractor availability and cost pressures should be scheduled so future cases are less contentious.
The council’s action leaves in place the December certificate of appropriateness allowing replacement of first‑ and second‑floor vinyl windows with conditions (no aluminum capping on street‑visible windows) while denying the owner’s amendment request to permit aluminum capping on additional windows.
A follow‑up item discussed by council members called for clearer, possibly consolidated guidelines for HARB reviews, enforcement and public notification so prospective buyers understand restrictions when purchasing property in the historic district.
