York Housing Authority to paint trim at 113–115 S. Pine; board discourages aluminum wrap

The York City Historical Architectural Review Board approved a request by the York Housing Authority to repaint exterior window trim at 113 and 115 South Pine Street, after the authority’s representative said painting is cheaper and would match the neighboring 117 South Pine unit.

The decision followed a presentation from Michael Showers, deputy director and solicitor for the York Housing Authority, who said the authority had cost estimates “to paint the exterior trim around the windows or in the alternative, wrap them with aluminum quill wrap,” and that, while painting was cheaper, “we feel the long term durability and the consistency would be more appropriate to match all 3 units, which are part of the same building.”

Board members pressed that the board has not approved wrapping historically detailed wood trim and that wrapping can trap water and accelerate deterioration. One board member said wrapping “will allow water behind it” and “will hinder long term durability.” The board noted 117 South Pine already has a wrap that was applied without permits and was not reversed by the city, but members said that precedent does not justify approving new wrapping on contributing building elements.

After discussion clarifying that the application concerned window trim — not encapsulating the entire building — a motion to approve the application to repaint the trim carried. The applicant confirmed the work would be done professionally and color-matching would be used where repainting was required.

The board’s action was narrowly focused on the trim around windows at 113 and 115 South Pine. Members asked the applicant to provide clear specifications and photographs as work proceeds so staff can confirm that paint and repair work preserves historic details rather than covering or permanently altering them.

The board did not adopt any new written policy at the meeting; members relied on their existing preservation standards and past practice in explaining why they prefer repair and repainting to full aluminum wrapping.

The board also recorded that 117 South Pine has an existing aluminum wrap applied without prior approval; members noted that history but did not reverse that prior alteration at this meeting.

For the record, the applicant withdrew the alternative of wrapping in favor of repainting after the board’s remarks and the board approved the repainting as submitted.