York City review board recommends denying vinyl window replacement at 253 West Philadelphia Street

The York City Historical Review Board voted May 28 to recommend denying an application to replace three second-floor windows at 253 West Philadelphia Street with vinyl windows.

Applicant Raymond Hecker told the board he sought to match vinyl windows already installed on the building’s first floor and said the vinyl there appeared to be holding up. "I will tell you that very likely those vinyl windows were installed on the first floor without us being able to review it," Hecker said, adding he hoped to use a more cost‑effective product so he could make other repairs to the house.

Board members pushed back, saying the board’s practice is to deny vinyl on street‑facing elevations in the historic district. A committee member who has served on the board for decades explained that vinyl tends to warp and deform in the local climate, damages window hardware and typically requires replacement within five to 10 years. "From an economic standpoint [vinyl] is probably a cheaper immediate fix, but composite or wood with aluminum cladding has a much longer life expectancy," the committee member said.

The board emphasized that it serves in an advisory role and that its vote will be forwarded to York City Council. A board member offered to provide the applicant with product recommendations, such as composite windows (the board cited Andersen 100 and other wood-composite options) and said the applicant could appeal the recommendation at a council meeting in June (the transcript identified "Tuesday, June" but did not give an exact calendar date).

A board member moved to deny the application as submitted and to recommend a composite or wood alternative; the motion was seconded and carried. Members on the record voiced three "I" votes in favor of denial; no nays were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Next steps: the board’s recommendation will be transmitted to York City Council; the applicant may appeal that recommendation to council or pursue the board’s suggested product alternatives and return to the board for further review.