Board of Architectural Review Meeting
Watch the official video · Markdown version · Full transcript (text) · Agenda (PDF)
Summary
Meeting Overview
The Board of Architectural Review met on January 15, 2014. During this meeting, the board considered 19 agenda items and took 5 motions and votes. The board heard 3 public comments.
Of the items reviewed, 14 received approval, including projects such as window sash repair and reinstallation at 250 South Hanover Avenue; wall rehabilitation at 298 South Ashland Avenue; structure renovations at 630 Central Avenue, 256 Clay Avenue, 608 East High Street, and 359 South Upper Street; front column renovation at 466 East High Street; paving installation at 127 Ransom Avenue; roof renovation at 314 Transylvania Avenue; door opening and front porch renovation at 515 North Broadway; fencing replacement at 611 Arcadia Park; opening changes at 256 Clay Avenue; garage design changes at 513 South Mill Street; and an addition construction at 436 West 3rd Street.
Two items were postponed: the demolition and construction of an addition at 461 North Limestone and the construction of a single-family residence with attached garage at 437 Lawrence Street. Additionally, the board heard an informational presentation on a conceptual review for 500 West Short Street and reviewed the minutes from the November 13, 2013 Board of Architectural Review meeting.
Attendance
Present: - Amelia - Jack Ballard - Hugh Bloomfield - Nathan Billings - Joe Costa - Joey Lasca - Ram - Mr. Pohl
Absent: - Mr. Dickinson
Late: - None
Votes and Decisions
The Board of Architectural Review approved three Certificates of Appropriateness and postponed two applications.
256 Clay Avenue 21:57 The board approved a Certificate of Appropriateness by voice vote. The motion was made by Mr. Chair. Approval is conditional on submission of one final location detail and two final details of the window surround to staff.
513 South Mill Street 24:06 The board approved a Certificate of Appropriateness by voice vote. The motion was made by Mr. Bauer. Approval is conditional on review and return to staff of any changes from other LFUCG divisions.
436 West 3rd Street 26:19 The board approved a Certificate of Appropriateness by voice vote. The motion was made by Mr. Chair. Approval is conditional on submission of final details of doors and windows prior to purchase, and review by other LFUCG divisions with results returned to staff.
461 North Limestone 52:20 The board postponed the Certificate of Appropriateness application to February 12, 2015 by voice vote. The motion was made by Mr. Chair and seconded. The owner is to address the board for 3–4 minutes at the next meeting. Staff is to deliver a CD with supporting materials by the next morning.
437 Lawrence Street 53:01 The board postponed the Certificate of Appropriateness application to February 12, 2015 by voice vote. The motion was made by Mr. Chair and seconded.
Public Comment
Three speakers addressed the Board regarding the proposed demolition and reconstruction of 461 North Limestone.
Joe Costa 33:34
Joe Costa, owner of Rose Hill, spoke in support of the demolition project. He expressed deep appreciation for the historic significance of the property and emphasized his role as a caretaker of history. Costa argued that the structure is uninhabitable and poorly conceived, and contended that demolition and reconstruction would better preserve the original architecture for future generations.
Mr. Cole 38:27
Mr. Cole strongly opposed the demolition of the 1812 structure. He asserted that the building is historically significant and that tearing it down undermines the development of a culture that values design. Cole questioned several aspects of the demolition proposal, including the structural assessment, cost estimates, and the necessity of total demolition. He suggested that alternative stabilization methods should be considered before proceeding with demolition.
Joey Lasca 48:17
Joey Lasca, identified as one of the design professionals, presented evidence supporting the need for demolition. He documented severe structural damage to the building, including foundation movement, masonry cracks, and daylighting through walls. Lasca emphasized that the building is beyond repair and noted that the damage was worse than initially believed during the assessment process.
Contested Items
Demolition of 461 North Limestone
The board engaged in a heated discussion regarding the proposed demolition of the structure at 461 North Limestone, which was built in 1812. The board members were deeply divided on whether to approve the demolition.
Board members supporting preservation argued that the structure was historically significant and should be preserved as part of the community's historic fabric. Those favoring demolition cited concerns about the building's structural unsoundness and the costs associated with rehabilitation and ongoing maintenance.
The discussion encompassed several key points of contention:
- Structural integrity: Disagreement over the actual condition of the structure and whether it could be safely rehabilitated
- Cost estimates: Debate over the financial implications of preservation versus demolition
- Historic preservation: Conflicting views on the cultural and historical importance of maintaining the 1812-era building
The meeting record does not indicate a final resolution or outcome regarding the board's decision on this demolition proposal.
250 South Hanover Avenue: Repair/Re-install window sash
Staff presented a proposal for the repair and re-installation of window sash at 250 South Hanover Avenue, located in the Ashland Park Historic District.
Amelia presented the item to the board.
The proposal received staff approval. No board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item.
Outcome: Approved
298 South Ashland Avenue: Rehabilitate southeast wall; reissue COA
Staff presented a proposal for the rehabilitation of the southeast wall at 298 South Ashland Avenue, located in the South Ashland Central Avenue Historic District, and the reissuance of the Certificate of Appropriateness for this work.
Amelia presented the staff recommendation for this agenda item. The proposal was approved by staff, and no board discussion or vote was required for this matter.
Outcome: The rehabilitation of the southeast wall and reissuance of the Certificate of Appropriateness for 298 South Ashland Avenue was approved.
630 Central Avenue: Renovate structure
Staff presented a proposal to renovate the structure at 630 Central Avenue, located in the Ellsford Historical District. Amelia presented the item to the board.
The renovation proposal received staff approval. No board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item, as the matter was handled through the staff approval process.
The proposal was approved.
256 Clay Avenue: Renovate structure
The Board of Architectural Review considered a proposal to renovate the structure at 256 Clay Avenue, located in the Ellsford Historic District. 15:55
Amelia presented the staff recommendation regarding this renovation project.
The proposal received staff approval, and no board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item. The renovation was approved as presented.
466 East High Street: Renovate front columns
Staff presented a proposal to renovate the front columns at 466 East High Street, located in the Ellsford Historic District. Amelia presented the item to the board.
The renovation project received staff approval. No board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item, as the matter was handled through the staff approval process.
The project was approved.
608 East High Street: Renovate structure
The Board of Architectural Review considered a proposal to renovate the structure at 608 East High Street, located in the Ellsford Historic District.
Amelia presented the staff recommendation regarding this renovation project. The staff had reviewed the proposal and determined it met the necessary requirements for approval.
No discussion or vote from the full board was required for this agenda item, as the renovation received staff approval. The project was approved and moved forward without additional board deliberation.
127 Ransom Avenue: Install paving
Staff approved the installation of paving at 127 Ransom Avenue, located in the Ellsford Historic District. Amelia presented this item to the Board of Architectural Review.
No board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item, as the proposal was approved at the staff level. The installation of paving proceeded without additional deliberation from the full board.
Outcome: Approved
314 Transylvania Avenue: Renovate roof
Staff approved the roof renovation project at 314 Transylvania Avenue, located in the Ellsford Historic District. Amelia presented the item to the board.
No board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item, as the project had already received staff approval.
Outcome: Approved
515 North Broadway: Renovate door openings
Staff presented a proposal to renovate door openings at 515 North Broadway, located in the Northside Historic District. Amelia presented this item to the Board of Architectural Review.
The renovation of door openings was approved by staff prior to the board meeting. No board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item, as the project had already received staff approval.
Outcome: Approved
515 North Broadway: Renovate front porch
The Board of Architectural Review considered a proposal to renovate the front porch at 515 North Broadway, located in the Northside Historic District.
Amelia presented the staff recommendation for this project. The renovation was approved by staff, and no board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item.
Outcome: The front porch renovation at 515 North Broadway was approved.
611 Arcadia Park: Replace/install new fencing
Staff presented a proposal for the replacement and installation of new fencing at 611 Arcadia Park, located in the Seven Parks Historic District. Amelia addressed the board on this matter.
The proposal received staff approval, and no board discussion or vote was required for this agenda item. The fencing project was approved through the staff approval process.
359 South Upper Street: Renovate site
Staff presented a site renovation proposal for 359 South Upper Street, located in the South Hills Historic District. Amelia provided the staff presentation on this agenda item.
The renovation project received staff approval. No board discussion or vote was required for this item, as it fell under staff approval authority.
Outcome: The site renovation at 359 South Upper Street was approved.
256 Clay Avenue: Change openings
The Board of Architectural Review considered a certificate of appropriateness for a change of window openings at 256 Clay Avenue.
Discussion and Considerations
The board discussed the proposed window modifications, with particular attention to the height and alignment of the windows in relation to the existing door. A key point of deliberation centered on the appropriate height for the windows, with the board recommending that a window be lowered to 36 inches to achieve better proportional alignment with the door.
Conditions of Approval
The board approved the change of window openings subject to the following conditions:
- Submission of final location details to staff
- Submission of window surround details to staff
Outcome
The application was approved. The board's recommendation to lower the window to 36 inches was made as part of the approval process, with the understanding that final details would be reviewed by staff before implementation.
513 South Mill Street: Change garage design
The Board of Architectural Review considered a certificate of appropriateness for a change in garage design at 513 South Mill Street.
Presentation and Discussion
Jack Ballard and Amelia presented the proposed garage design change to the board. The applicant agreed with the staff recommendation regarding the project.
Outcome
The board approved the change in garage design as submitted. The approval included a condition that any changes from other Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) divisions must be reviewed and returned to staff before implementation.
436 West 3rd Street: Construct addition
The Board of Architectural Review considered a certificate of appropriateness for the construction of an addition at 436 West 3rd Street.
Hugh Bloomfield and Amelia presented the proposal to the board. During the review, updated plans were presented that eliminated one previously identified condition.
The board approved the construction of the addition, subject to conditions. Prior to purchase, the applicant must submit final details for doors and windows. These details will be reviewed by the Board of Architectural Review as well as other LFUCG (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government) divisions before proceeding.
461 North Limestone: Demolish addition; construct addition
The Board of Architectural Review considered a certificate of appropriateness application for the demolition of an existing addition and construction of a new addition at 461 North Limestone 26:57.
Presentation and Discussion
The applicant, represented by key speakers including Nathan Billings, Joe Costa, Mr. Cole, and Joey Lasca, submitted a detailed letter and presentation to support the proposal. The board engaged with the applicant regarding the scope and nature of the proposed work.
Board Concerns
The board expressed concerns about the building's historical significance and its structural integrity in relation to the proposed demolition and reconstruction of the addition.
Outcome
The board postponed the hearing to allow for further consideration and discussion. The hearing is scheduled to resume on February 12, 2015, at which time the owner will speak before the board.
437 Lawrence Street: Construct single-family residence and attached garage
Application Type: Certificate of Appropriateness
Project Description: Construction of a single-family residence and attached garage at 437 Lawrence Street.
Discussion and Action:
The Board of Architectural Review considered the application for 437 Lawrence Street during this meeting 53:01. The applicant requested a postponement of the application to allow for further review of the project.
Mr. Chair presided over the discussion. The board agreed to the postponement request without further discussion.
Outcome:
The application was postponed to February 12, 2015. No additional concerns or conditions were noted in the board's decision.
500 West Short Street: Conceptual Review
The Board of Architectural Review acknowledged the conceptual review for 500 West Short Street during the meeting 54:01. Mr. Pohl was the key speaker on this agenda item.
The board noted the conceptual review as pending, with no substantive discussion or formal vote taking place at this time. The item was presented for informational purposes only, allowing the board to acknowledge its receipt and status without proceeding to detailed deliberation or decision-making.
Review of November 13, 2013 BOAR minutes
The Board of Architectural Review reviewed the minutes from the November 13, 2013 meeting. No action was taken on this item.
Decisions
- Motion — passed: Approval of Certificate of Appropriateness for 256 Clay Avenue with conditions
- Motion — passed: Approval of Certificate of Appropriateness for 513 South Mill Street with condition
- Motion — passed: Approval of Certificate of Appropriateness for 436 West 3rd Street with conditions
- Motion — passed: Postponement of Certificate of Appropriateness for 461 North Limestone to February 12, 2015
- Motion — passed: Postponement of Certificate of Appropriateness for 437 Lawrence Street to February 12, 2015