Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review met on January 25, 2012, under the direction of the Chair. The board considered eight agenda items during the meeting, taking four motions and votes and hearing four public comments.

Of the eight items reviewed, six were approved: the replacement of a fence at 444 Fayette Park; the replacement of a door at 253 Market Street; renovation of the structure at 224 Barberry Lane; renovation of the structure at 505 South Mill Street; construction of a front porch and replacement of sidewalk at 229 Barberry Lane; and demolition and construction of an addition with window sash glazing changes and closure of openings at 462 West Third Street. Two items were postponed: the construction of a deck and stair tower at 441 West Second Street and the extension of a garage at 616 West Short Street.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on January 25, 2012:

• Andrew Moore
• J. Peter Cassidy, Jr.
• Martin
• Amelia
• Chip Crawford
• Graham
• Nathan
• Ron
• Mr. Bale
• Joseph Clark
• Barbara Smith
• Charlie Smith
• Dan Scully
• Harry W. Farmer, Jr.
• Ka Rue Farmer

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

229 Barberry Lane Application 1:55

The application for 229 Barberry Lane was approved by voice vote. The motion was made by Mr. Chair. The approval includes the following conditions:

• A sample of proposed stone for veneer must be submitted to staff for review before purchase or start of masonry work
• Valleys of the porch roof must be of open metal design
• If concrete curing compound is used, it must be clear in color
• Final details and metal railing must be submitted to staff for review and approval before purchase

462 West Third Street Application 1:33:32

The application for 462 West Third Street was approved by roll call vote with a vote of 4 ayes and 1 nay. The motion was made by Mr. Billings and seconded by Nathan.

Voting in favor: Mr. Billings, Graham, Nathan, and Ron

Voting against: Mr. Cassidy

The approval includes multiple conditions:

• Reglazing of existing window sashes with insulated glass is denied
• Demolition of existing rear addition is approved
• Construction of new addition, replacement of 13 windows, and closing of three window openings are approved subject to a 12-inch step-in from back corner
• Chimney exposure and integration with gable design must be submitted to staff for review
• Top elevation of masonry foundation wall must match existing
• Masonry work must follow guidelines 1.3.KLN
• Final drawings and details must be submitted to staff before Certificate of Appropriateness issuance
• Any changes required by other LFUCG agencies must be submitted to staff
• Sunburst pattern has been removed from the plan

441 West Second Street Application 1:40:03

The application for 441 West Second Street was postponed by voice vote.

616 West Short Street Conceptual Review 1:40:35

The conceptual review for 616 West Short Street was postponed by voice vote.

Public Comment

Four speakers addressed the board regarding the proposed addition and its design elements.

J. Peter Cassidy, Jr. [00:22:04] discussed roof design and guidelines interpretation. Cassidy argued that the gable roof is compatible with the building's existing architectural elements, particularly the front porch roof. He stated that the guidelines do not require the addition to be tucked under the eave line and emphasized that the roof would not be visible from the street. Cassidy presented historical examples of similar approved additions to support his position.

Graham [01:06:41] raised concerns about the addition's mass and visual impact. Graham expressed worry that the gable roof creates a dominant architectural statement that competes with the original building. He suggested reducing the gable's width and height and pulling it back to better defer to the original roof line.

Mr. Billings [01:28:39] addressed setback and guideline compliance. Billings emphasized that the 12-inch setback requirement in the guidelines must be strictly followed, regardless of the existing addition's footprint. He proposed that the addition be stepped in 12 inches to meet the standard.

Mr. Cassidy [01:10:34] clarified matters regarding chimney removal and design intent. Cassidy stated that the chimney will remain and be integrated into the gable roof. He requested that the details be submitted to staff for approval and noted that the board had not authorized the chimney's removal.

Contested Items

Roof Design and Guideline Interpretation at 462 West Third Street

The board engaged in a heated and prolonged discussion regarding the proposed gable roof design at 462 West Third Street. The central disagreement centered on whether the roof design violated established guidelines. Specifically, board members debated whether the proposed gable roof projected above the existing roof line and failed to meet the required 12-inch step-back requirement.

The dispute involved differing interpretations of key architectural terminology. Members disagreed over what constituted the "peak of the existing roof line" and whether the new roof must be "tucked under" the eave line. Multiple board members cited precedent and architectural intent to support their respective positions during the detailed debate.

Chimney Removal and Integration

A procedural dispute arose regarding the treatment of an existing chimney. The original drawings submitted indicated the chimney would be demolished, but the applicant subsequently confirmed during the meeting that the chimney would be retained rather than removed.

This discrepancy created a requirement for additional work. The board mandated that the applicant submit detailed integration plans showing how the retained chimney would be incorporated with the proposed gable roof design. This requirement addressed the inconsistency between the original documentation and the applicant's stated intent, ensuring that the final design would clearly demonstrate how the chimney would function within the overall roof structure.

444 Fayette Park: Replace fence

The application to replace the fence at 444 Fayette Park was presented for staff approval. The application was approved with no discussion or objection raised during the meeting.

Outcome: Approved

253 Market Street: Replace door

The application to replace the door at 253 Market Street was presented as an agenda item. Staff approved the application with no discussion or objection raised during the meeting. The matter proceeded without further deliberation and was approved.

224 Barberry Lane: Renovate structure

The application to renovate the structure at 224 Barberry Lane was presented for staff approval. No discussion or objection was raised during the meeting. The application was approved.

505 South Mill Street: Renovate structure

The application to renovate the structure at 505 South Mill Street was presented as a staff approval item. The application was approved by staff with no discussion or objection raised during the meeting.

Outcome: Approved

229 Barberry Lane: Construct front porch; replace sidewalk

0:00

The application to construct a front porch and replace the sidewalk at 229 Barberry Lane was presented for consideration as a certificate of appropriateness.

Andrew Moore addressed the board regarding this agenda item.

Outcome

The application was approved. The approval included four staff conditions that the applicant must satisfy:

• Submission of a stone veneer sample
• Open metal design for porch roof valleys
• Use of clear concrete curing compound
• Submission of final railing details for staff review

462 West Third Street: Demolish addition; construct addition; change window sash

2:26

The board considered an application for 462 West Third Street involving demolition of an existing rear addition and construction of a new addition, along with changes to window sash glazing and closure of openings.

Key Speakers and Discussion

The agenda item was discussed by J. Peter Cassidy, Jr., Graham, Nathan, Ron, and Mr. Billings. The application addressed multiple proposed modifications to the property, including the demolition and reconstruction work as well as window treatments and opening modifications.

Conditions and Requirements

The board approved the application with several conditions:

• Denial of the window reglazing request
• Implementation of a 12-inch setback requirement
• Removal of the sunburst pattern
• Submission of chimney integration details for review and approval

Outcome

The motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness passed by a vote of 4-1, indicating substantial but not unanimous board support for the project with the specified conditions.

441 West Second Street: Construct deck and stair tower

The application to construct a deck and stair tower at 441 West Second Street was considered as a certificate of appropriateness item 1:40:03.

The application was postponed to the February 8th meeting at the applicant's request.

616 West Short Street: Extend garage

The conceptual review for a garage extension at 616 West Short Street was scheduled for discussion at this meeting. However, the applicant withdrew her attendance and requested that the item be postponed to a later date. 1:40:35

As a result of the applicant's request, the conceptual review was deferred and rescheduled for the February 8th meeting.