Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review met on March 14, 2012, under the direction of the Chair. During the meeting, the board considered 22 agenda items, taking 9 motions and votes. The board heard 2 public comments during the session.

Of the 22 items on the agenda, 21 were approved, including projects ranging from roof repairs and window replacements to structural renovations and new construction. Approved projects included re-roofing and railing repair at 270 South Ashland Avenue, front path and walk repairs at seven consecutive Kentucky Avenue properties (169, 167, 165, 163, 161, and 159), and various renovation and replacement projects throughout the community. One agenda item—the installation of signage and a barber pole at 275 South Limestone #110—was postponed.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on March 14, 2012:

• Goheri Kamdar
• Joe Turley
• Ken Owen
• Michael Edwards
• Reynolds Hart
• Ms. Pettigall
• Raisa Timaji

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included nine motions, all of which passed or were postponed as follows:

Installation of arbor at 455 West Third Street 4:19 Motion by Mr. Chair. Passed by voice vote.

Veneer foundation wall at 622 Sayre Avenue 9:14 Motion by Mr. Chair, seconded by Mr. Chair. Passed by voice vote.

Canopy at side door of 535 Russell Avenue 10:46 Motion by Mr. Alternate Chair, seconded by Mr. Alternate Chair. Passed by voice vote with the condition that all exposed wood be painted.

Deck roof at 1610 Elizabeth Street 13:27 Motion by Mr. Chair, seconded by Mr. Chair. Passed by voice vote. Conditions include: both posts engaged into existing deck; no gable roof end projects past window jam line; all exposed wood painted; final drawings including typical sections submitted to staff before Certificate of Appropriateness issuance; any changes from other LFUCG divisions submitted to staff for review.

Basement access at 838 West Maxwell Street 15:05 Motion by Mr. Chair, seconded by Mr. Chair. Passed by voice vote. Conditions include: final anchorage details of wood railing to concrete submitted to staff before concrete placement; all exposed wood painted or opaque stained.

Enclosure of portion of side porch at 344 South Upper Street 17:09 Motion by Mr. Chair, seconded by Mr. Chair. Passed by voice vote. Conditions include: final door details submitted to staff for review; any changes from other LFUCG divisions returned to staff or board.

Garage addition at 616 West Short Street 20:46 Motion by Mr. Chair, seconded by Mr. Chair. Passed by voice vote.

Replacement of yard sign at 462 East High Street 36:18 Motion by Mr. Chair, seconded by Mr. Chair. Passed by roll call vote with 1 ayes and 0 nays. Raisa Timaji voted in favor. Conditions include: sign must be cut from a 3.5-foot wide sheet of plywood, 7.6 feet wide, bottom edge 24 inches above grade, posts 4x4, all exposed wood painted, bottom edge straight.

Signage and barber pole at 275 South Limestone #110 21:51 Motion by Mr. Chair, seconded by Mr. Chair. Postponed until March 28, 2012.

Public Comment

Two members of the public provided comments on signage specifications during the meeting.

Goheri Kamdar 5:25 addressed the proportions of a yard sign, requesting a change from the current 3x8 feet dimensions to either 3.5x7 feet or 3.5x8 feet. Kamdar emphasized the importance of design in signage, particularly for a vacant building, and noted that the sign serves an advertising function. Kamdar also mentioned agreement with a neighboring designer on this matter.

Raisa Timaji 35:40 provided comments on sign height and practical installation considerations. Timaji clarified that the bottom of the sign should be positioned 24 inches above grade to allow for lawn mowing access. Timaji expressed support for the proposed 7.6-foot width as a way to maintain proper proportion while accommodating landscaping maintenance needs.

Contested Items

Yard Sign Dimensions at 462 East High Street

A disagreement arose regarding the proportions and size of a proposed yard sign at 462 East High Street. The applicant preferred a sign measuring either 3.5x7 feet or 3.5x8 feet, while staff recommended a 3.5x7 foot sign with a straight bottom edge. This difference in specifications prompted extended discussion among meeting participants and ultimately required an amendment to the motion before resolution. The contested item resulted in a split vote, indicating that board or council members were divided on the appropriate dimensions and design specifications for the signage at this location.

270 South Ashland Avenue: Re-roof porte-cochere; repair railing

1:38

Staff approved a request to re-roof the porte-cochere and repair the railing at 270 South Ashland Avenue in the South Ashland Historic District. The approval was granted without requiring board review.

169 Kentucky Avenue: Repair front paths and walks

1:38

Staff approved the repair of front paths and walks at 169 Kentucky Avenue in the Aylesford Historic District. The repair work proceeded without requiring board review.

The project was approved as a staff decision.

167 Kentucky Avenue: Repair front paths and walks

Staff approved the repair of front paths and walks at 167 Kentucky Avenue in the Aylesford Historic District without requiring board review 1:38.

The item was approved as a staff decision.

165 Kentucky Avenue: Repair front paths and walks

Staff approved the repair of front paths and walks at 165 Kentucky Avenue in the Aylesford Historic District without requiring board review 1:38.

The project was approved through the staff approval process, allowing the work to proceed without additional board consideration.

Outcome: Approved

163 Kentucky Avenue: Repair front paths and walks

Staff approved the repair of front paths and walks at 163 Kentucky Avenue in the Aylesford Historic District without requiring board review 1:38.

The project was approved through staff authority, allowing the repair work to proceed without additional board consideration.

Outcome: Approved

161 Kentucky Avenue: Repair front paths and walks

Staff approved the repair of front paths and walks at 161 Kentucky Avenue in the Aylesford Historic District without requiring board review 1:38.

The item was approved as a staff decision, proceeding without additional board discussion or deliberation.

159 Kentucky Avenue: Repair front paths and walks

1:38

Staff approved the repair of front paths and walks at 159 Kentucky Avenue in the Aylesford Historic District. This item was approved by staff without requiring board review.

Outcome: Approved

140 East Bell Court: Replace front storm door

1:38

Staff approved the replacement of the front storm door at 140 East Bell Court in the Bell Court Historic District without requiring board review.

The project was approved as a staff-level decision, meaning it did not necessitate full board consideration or discussion at this meeting.

535 Russell Avenue: Reseal driveway

Staff approved the resealing of the driveway at 535 Russell Avenue without board review. 1:38

The outcome of this agenda item was approval.

520 Sayre Avenue: Renovate structure

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 520 Sayre Avenue without board review. 1:38

The approval was processed as a staff matter and did not require additional board consideration.

347 South Mill Street: Renovate structure

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 347 South Mill Street without board review 1:38.

No additional discussion details, concerns, or speaker information were recorded for this agenda item.

425 South Upper Street: Renovate/replace windows and brick mould

Staff approved the renovation and replacement of windows and brick mould at 425 South Upper Street. The item was approved without requiring board review. 1:38

624 Sayre Avenue: Replace porch and main mass roof

1:38

Staff approved the replacement of the porch and main mass roof at 624 Sayre Avenue. This item was approved by staff without requiring board review.

455 West Third Street: Install arbor

2:44

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of an arbor at 455 West Third Street.

Goheri Kamdar presented the item to the board. Staff recommended that the final location of the arbor be submitted for approval. The applicant had already provided the location details via email prior to the meeting, satisfying this requirement.

The board approved the installation of the arbor at 455 West Third Street.

462 East High Street: Replace yard sign

4:54

The board reviewed and approved a certificate of appropriateness for the replacement of a yard sign at 462 East High Street.

Proposal Details

The applicant proposed replacing the existing yard sign with modified specifications. The new sign would feature dimensions of 3.5 feet by 7.6 feet with a straight bottom edge. The sign would be mounted 24 inches above grade on 4x4 posts and constructed of painted wood.

Discussion

Key speakers Goheri Kamdar and Raisa Timaji participated in the board's discussion of the proposal. The board examined questions regarding the proportion and practicality of the proposed design during their deliberation.

Outcome

The board approved the certificate of appropriateness for the yard sign replacement with the specified modifications.

622 Sayre Avenue: Veneer foundation wall

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness application for a veneer foundation wall at 622 Sayre Avenue 8:10. Staff recommended approval of the application without any requested changes.

The board voted to approve the veneer foundation wall application as submitted.

535 Russell Avenue: Install canopy at side door

9:45

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of a canopy at the side door of 535 Russell Avenue.

Joe Turley presented the proposal to the board. The board approved the installation of the canopy with a condition requiring that all exposed wood be painted.

1610 Elizabeth Street: Construct deck roof

11:17

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness for the construction of a deck roof at 1610 Elizabeth Street.

Ken Owen presented the proposal to the board. The board approved the project with the following conditions:

• Posts must be engaged into the existing deck
• The gable roof projection cannot extend past the window jam line
• All exposed wood must be painted
• Final drawings must be submitted to staff before the certificate of appropriateness is issued

The application was approved.

838 West Maxwell Street: Construct basement access

14:00

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness for basement access construction at 838 West Maxwell Street.

Michael Edwards presented the proposal to the board.

Outcome

The board approved the basement access construction with the following conditions:

• Anchorage details must be submitted to staff before concrete placement
• All exposed wood must be painted or opaque stained

344 South Upper Street: Enclose portion of side porch

16:07

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness application for the enclosure of a portion of the side porch at 344 South Upper Street.

Reynolds Hart presented the item to the board.

Outcome

The board approved the enclosure of the side porch with the following conditions:

• Final door details must be submitted to staff for review
• Any changes required by other divisions must be returned to staff or the board for consideration

616 West Short Street: Construct garage addition

17:40

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness for a garage addition at 616 West Short Street. Ms. Pettigall presented the proposal, which involved constructing a garage addition with a slightly raised roof designed to accommodate an overhead door.

The project represented a deviation from the prior conceptual review that had been presented to the board. Despite this modification to the original concept, no objections were raised during the discussion.

The board approved the garage addition as presented.

275 South Limestone #110: Install signage and barber pole

21:18

The application to install signage and a barber pole at 275 South Limestone #110 was presented as a certificate of appropriateness request. The application was postponed to March 28, 2012, at the applicant's request. There was no discussion or opposition recorded during the consideration of this item.