Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review convened on February 26, 2014, at 101 East Vine Street, room 220, with Mr. Chair presiding over the session. The board addressed two primary agenda items during the meeting, focusing on architectural review matters within the city's historic districts and design guidelines.

The board accomplished several key tasks during the session, including the approval of Certificates of Appropriateness and conducting a conceptual review for properties at 316 West High Street and 740 West Short Street. The Certificates of Appropriateness agenda item resulted in approved outcomes, while the conceptual review served an informational purpose to provide guidance to property owners and developers on proposed architectural changes.

Throughout the meeting, the board heard from three members of the public who provided comments on the matters under consideration. The board conducted two formal votes on various motions related to the agenda items, demonstrating active deliberation on the architectural review matters before them. The meeting provided a forum for both administrative approvals and preliminary discussions about future development projects, fulfilling the board's role in preserving the architectural character and historic integrity of designated areas within the city.

Attendance

Present: Mr. Chair, Amelia, Chris Westover, Brian Hill, Tony Plesko, Chuck Stille, Ron Jackson, Graham, Sarah, Victor Trujillo, Hayward Wilkerson, Tom McDowell

Absent: Mr. Pohl

Late: None

The board meeting proceeded with twelve members in attendance and one absence.

Votes and Decisions

The Board considered two applications during the meeting, both of which received approval with specific conditions.

Application 170172010-A - 109 Shawnee Place 10:00 The Board voted to approve the staff recommendation for 109 Shawnee Place with a modification to the proposed casement design. The motion passed by voice vote, with the condition that the casement design be of a single light versus multi-pane light configuration. The motion was made and seconded by unnamed board members.

Application 30620147-K - 147 Old Georgetown Street 20:00 The Board approved the application for 147 Old Georgetown Street following the staff recommendation, also by voice vote. The approval included a specific condition requiring that door openings be eliminated by being clapboarded over in lieu of using shutters. The motion was made and seconded by unnamed board members.

Both votes were conducted as voice votes rather than formal roll call votes, so individual member voting records were not recorded. No opposition or abstentions were noted for either application. The conditions attached to both approvals reflect the Board's attention to specific architectural details that align with historic preservation standards for the respective properties.

Public Comment

Three community members addressed the Board during the public comment period, presenting differing perspectives on a proposed development involving a historic structure.

Hayward Wilkerson spoke in opposition to moving the historic structure 180:00. Wilkerson expressed concern about the proposed relocation and emphasized the critical importance of H1 zoning guidelines in protecting the integrity of the South Hill district. He highlighted how these zoning protections serve as safeguards for the area's historic character.

Tom McDowell followed with additional concerns about preserving the South Hill district 185:00. Drawing from his personal experience as a South Hill resident, McDowell shared his perspective on the potential impacts of the proposed changes. He specifically expressed worry about the loss of historic context that could result if the house is relocated from its current site, emphasizing how the structure's original location contributes to the area's historical significance.

Victor Trujillo presented a contrasting viewpoint, speaking in support of the proposed development 190:00. Trujillo praised what he characterized as responsible design elements in the proposal. He noted that the development plan demonstrates thoughtful consideration for both privacy concerns and aesthetic impacts on the surrounding area.

The public comments reflected the community's divided opinions on balancing historic preservation with new development. While Wilkerson and McDowell focused on protecting the South Hill district's historic integrity through existing zoning protections and maintaining structures in their original locations, Trujillo emphasized the merits of the proposed development's design approach. These comments provided the Board with direct community input representing both preservation and development perspectives on the matter under consideration.

Contested Items

The Board addressed one significant contested item during the meeting regarding a proposal for relocation of a historic structure and new construction.

Relocation of Historic Structure and New Construction

The primary point of contention centered on a proposal to relocate an existing historic structure to make way for the construction of a new IMAX theater. The proposal generated substantial opposition from multiple stakeholders, including both community members and Board members themselves.

The opposition stemmed from concerns about the potential negative impact such changes would have on the surrounding historic district. Community members expressed worry that moving the historic structure and introducing new modern construction could compromise the historical integrity and character of the area.

Board members shared similar concerns, questioning whether the proposed development was appropriate for the historic district setting. The debate highlighted tensions between modernization efforts and historic preservation priorities.

The disagreement involved community stakeholders who attended the meeting to voice their opposition, as well as Board members who expressed reservations about approving the proposal as presented. The opposition appeared to focus on preserving the historic nature of the district while questioning the compatibility of the proposed IMAX theater construction with the area's historical character.

The outcome of this contested item was not specified in the available meeting materials, though the significant level of opposition from both community members and Board members suggests the proposal faced substantial challenges in gaining approval.

Certificates of Appropriateness

10:00

The Board reviewed applications for certificates of appropriateness during this agenda item, with Mr. Chair leading the discussion.

Two specific cases were considered during the review:

• 109 Shawnee Place - The Board examined an application for this property, though specific details of the proposed work were not provided in the available materials.

• 147 Old Georgetown Street - A second application was reviewed for this Georgetown Street location.

The certificates of appropriateness process allows the Board to review proposed changes to properties within historic districts to ensure they comply with preservation standards and maintain the historic character of the area.

Following their review of the applications, the Board approved the certificates of appropriateness for the cases presented.

The discussion appears to have proceeded without significant debate or concerns raised, as evidenced by the approval outcome. However, specific details about the nature of the proposed work, any conditions attached to the approvals, or the reasoning behind the Board's decisions were not captured in the available meeting materials.

Conceptual Review for 316 West High Street and 740 West Short Street

30:00

The board reviewed a conceptual proposal for development at 316 West High Street and 740 West Short Street involving the relocation of a historic structure and construction of an IMAX theater and restaurant complex.

Key Speakers: - Chris Westover - Brian Hill - Chuck Stille

Proposal Details: The development plan includes moving an existing historic structure to accommodate the construction of a new IMAX theater and restaurant complex on the properties.

Concerns Raised: Board members expressed concerns about the potential impact of the proposed development on the surrounding historic district. The discussion focused on how the new construction and the relocation of the historic building would affect the character and integrity of the area.

Board Discussion: The speakers addressed various aspects of the proposal, including the feasibility of moving the historic structure and the appropriateness of the proposed IMAX theater and restaurant complex within the historic district context.

Outcome: This was an informational discussion item. No formal action was taken by the board, as this was a conceptual review to gather initial feedback and identify potential issues before more detailed plans are developed. The discussion provided the applicant with guidance on board concerns regarding the historic district impact and the proposed development approach.

The review serves as an early step in the development process, allowing the board to provide input on the conceptual design before significant resources are invested in detailed planning and formal applications.