York Housing Authority will repaint window trim at 113 and 115 South Pine Street; board discourages aluminum wrap

York City — The York City Historical Architectural Review Board on Aug. 28 approved a York Housing Authority proposal to paint the exterior window trim at 113 and 115 South Pine Street, after discussion about an existing aluminum wrap on a neighboring unit.

The vote followed a presentation by Michael Showers, deputy director and solicitor for the York Housing Authority, who said the housing authority owns 113 and 115 South Pine and is proposing to paint the window trim and exterior woodwork. “It’s actually cheaper for us to just paint it, but we feel the long term durability and the consistency would be more appropriate to match all three units, which are part of the same building,” Showers said.

Board members raised concerns about an aluminum “wrap” visible on 117 South Pine, which Showers said had been installed without permits. A board member cautioned that wrapping can trap water and accelerate deterioration of underlying wood, and the board noted that wrapping contrary to preservation practice can obscure historic details. The board’s discussion repeatedly framed painting as the preferred, lower-impact option to preserve the building’s historic fabric.

After questions about the scope (Showers clarified the application covered only window trim, not full building cladding), a motion to approve the application as presented carried. Showers said the work would be done by a professional crew.

The board did not adopt a separate enforcement penalty related to the unpermitted wrap at 117 South Pine; the discussion focused on design guidance and the current application.

The board and housing authority also discussed documentation included with the packet and the housing authority provided photos and cost estimates for both painting and an upcharge to apply aluminum cladding. Showers reiterated that the authority preferred painting but wanted a consistent appearance across the three units.