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Commission approves metal chimney caps for West Palm Street home, citing tree cover and interior safety concerns
Summary
The commission approved COA 59421 for a black powder-coated stainless-steel chimney cap at the applicant's West Palm Street property, finding it not prominently visible from the public right of way and noting interior safety concerns raised by a chimney inspection.
The Norwich Historic District Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a custom stainless-steel, black powder-coated chimney cap at COA 59421, identified at the hearing as West Palm Street, on Sept. 17.
Applicant Karen explained she has four fireplaces and had experienced bat intrusion and water leaks. She said an inspection by a chimney professional recommended limiting use of the fireplaces because of narrow clearances and that the cap is needed to protect masonry and prevent wildlife entry. She described the cap as custom-made, black powder-coated stainless steel with a 10-inch screen height, a 2.5-inch lid overhang and a 3-inch skirt.
Commissioners discussed the design guidelines. Regan Miner referenced the commission's design guidelines, noting that page 30 discourages metal chimney caps on primary facades or prominent locations. Miner said the property's tall trees will obscure the chimney from the public right of way and that, combined with the applicant's structural and water-intrusion concerns, made the metal cap acceptable in this instance: “Based on the images that Karen provided, the trees are gonna really obscure the chimney. So it's not gonna be prominently featured, and you won't be able to see it from the road,” Miner said.
Commissioners noted prior cases in which stone caps were required for visible chimneys, and some members said they prefer stone where feasible. Commissioners also discussed cost: the applicant and one commissioner referred to a $2,500 estimate for the simpler metal solution and a $27,000 roof expense the applicant had recently incurred. Members concluded that, because the chimney is not prominently visible from the public right of way and because a stone cap would require additional masonry work and could delay needed protection, the metal cap is acceptable in this case.
A motion to approve the COA as submitted passed by roll call; one commissioner recorded a dissent during the roll call. Staff will notify the applicant in writing and place the decision in the building department file.
The commission noted that if tree cover is later removed and the cap becomes prominent from the public right of way, that circumstance could be revisited in future applications.
