Norristown Historic Preservation Board recommends approvals for multiple window, porch and roof repairs

The Norristown Historical Preservation Board met in November and voted to recommend Certificates of Appropriateness for multiple property repair projects, including window replacements, porch‑column work and roof repairs. Board members emphasized matching historic profiles and limiting intrusive alterations to public‑facing façades.

Board members discussed a continued application for 1321 DeKalb Street, where the owner and a realtor proposed adding an egress window for a front bedroom. The applicant said the contractor favored placing the egress on the south side of the building to simplify finishes and preserve the bay window’s street appearance; estimated cost was about $5,000. The board raised technical questions about egress dimensions and structural implications if the front bay were removed. Gail moved to recommend that municipal council issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for 1321 DeKalb Street with an egress window on the south side of the front floor, a vinyl double‑hung casement approximately 61.5–62 inches high and 43.5 inches wide, and matching trim; the motion passed by roll call. The applicant was told council will review the recommendation on Dec. 2 and, if approved, may obtain building permits.

At 902 West Marshall Street, the board reviewed a larger window‑replacement project: the applicant proposed replacing six front windows and additional side and basement windows with new vinyl units sized to fit the openings. Board members favored historically compatible muntin patterns where the side elevations are public‑facing (encouraging 2‑over‑2 on visible side windows and allowing 1‑over‑1 on some front openings if necessary), asked for matching trim and repair of any deteriorated wooden frames, and discussed appropriate basement window types (awning/hopper). The board recommended council approval with conditions on window patterns, trim repair, and retention of the front transom and door; the motion carried.

Genesis Housing representative Judy presented 507 West Marshall Street under the county whole‑home repair program. The board recommended approval to replace second‑ and third‑floor residential windows with vinyl units that match existing sizes and to repair any deteriorated trim, with the caveat that project scope may be reduced if program budget requires prioritizing health‑and‑safety work.

For 560 Hamilton Street the board approved a package of work to preserve visible slate appearance and repair porch structure: visible shingled portions are to be covered with 30‑year architectural (carriage house) shingles to match the look of the existing slate, deteriorated front porch columns should be replaced with fiberglass round tapered smooth columns where rot prevents repair, masonry pilasters should be repointed and loose bricks reset. The motion carried.

At 921 Swede Street the discussion focused on repairing carved wood around a prominent bay window, replacing missing fish‑scale (fishtail) slates with matching profile material or an approved slate look‑alike, repairing missing capping where originally present on the third floor, and repairing or replacing deteriorated gutters and downspouts. The board recommended council approval with those conditions.

The board also approved in‑kind motions for 115 West Erie Street (shingle‑to‑shingle roofing on a front projection) and an in‑kind roofing motion for 921 West Swede for SilverLine/Timberline Lifetime shingles and a new metal roof system on the first floor (color specified as black); members advised using steel or galvalume rather than aluminum for longevity and discussed thermal expansion concerns with black metal roofing.

All motions recommended to municipal council passed by roll call vote at the meeting; council review is scheduled for Dec. 2, and applicants were told they need not appear before council and may proceed to obtain permits if council approves the recommendations.

"We just wanna get this done for him so that he can start getting the place rented," the realtor said of 1321 DeKalb Street, stressing the project’s urgency. Gail moved the principal motions in multiple items and the board consistently emphasized preservation of visible architectural features and matching materials on public facades.

The board adjourned after brief administrative items and asked staff to resend a circulated email to one member who did not receive it. Next procedural deadlines: municipal council meeting Dec. 2 for review of the recommended Certificates of Appropriateness.