Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HARP recommends certificate for 624 West Main after asbestos concern, favors red asphalt shake
Summary
Norristown HARP voted to recommend a certificate of appropriateness for 624 West Main Street to replace its upper roof with a red GAF Timberline HDZ "Patriot Red Shake" asphalt shingle, after the applicant said suspected asbestos tiles have not been formally tested and members urged testing first.
The Norristown Historic Architectural Review Panel recommended that municipal council issue a certificate of appropriateness for 624 West Main Street’s application to replace the upper roof with a red asphalt shake-style shingle.
The applicant said the existing painted tiles show visible fibers but "they haven't been tested to be confirmed yet," and the panel urged testing before proceeding. Chair (speaker 2) and committee members discussed matching the building's historic red roof; committee member (speaker 1) moved that the panel recommend GAF Timberline HDZ in "Patriot Red Shake" and that roof fascia and trim "may not be capped when new roofing is installed." The motion was seconded and carried.
Board members noted that some flat roofs on the property are not covered by the application and advised the applicant to confirm the material type so any later work addresses appropriate replacement options. The applicant said she tracked historic postcard images to support maintaining the red roof color and provided three asphalt options for consideration.
The HARP will forward the recommendation to municipal council for final action; a council meeting date was discussed but not firmly confirmed during the session.
