Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review met on October 8, 2014. During the meeting, the board considered 33 agenda items, including 28 property-specific applications and 5 administrative matters. The board took 8 votes and heard 2 public comments. Of the property applications reviewed, 26 were approved, 1 was withdrawn, and 1 was postponed. One application was presented for informational purposes only. Administrative items approved included the review of minutes from the August 27, 2014 meeting and the draft meeting schedule for 2015.

The approved applications encompassed a range of architectural and property modifications across multiple addresses in the jurisdiction, including roof repairs, structure renovations, fence and gate installations, tree removal, awning replacements, porch renovations, and garage modifications. Notable approvals included the renovation of structures at multiple locations, the installation of BGT plaques at 101 South Hanover Avenue, and the enclosure of a side porch with roof railing restoration at 559 North Broadway. The application for 125 Ransom Avenue, involving demolition of a rear addition and dormer with construction of a two-story addition, was presented as informational. The application for 826 West Maxwell Street, concerning the rebuilding of a rear addition with changes to openings and installation of a covered porch, was postponed. The application for 520 West Short Street, regarding construction of a masonry wall to buffer a rear fan, was withdrawn.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on October 8, 2014:

• Lynn Pettigrew
• Gerald Huber-Mail
• Dean Hunt
• Gail Hunt
• Chad Needham
• Graham Paul
• Jeff Walker
• Darren Taylor

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included eight votes, all conducted by voice vote and all passed or approved as indicated.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 559 North Broadway 9:13 Approved. All changes must come back to staff for review and approval prior to the start of any work after review by other LFUCG divisions.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 515 North Broadway 14:42 Approved. Final door details must come back to staff; siding-to-grade details must meet manufacturer's recommendations; all changes after other LFUCG division review must return to staff.

440 Fayette Park Application 16:20 Tabled. The application was postponed to allow the applicant to consult with traffic engineering and revise the design.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 330 Clay Avenue 28:42 Approved. Final sign details must be submitted to staff; front freestanding sign located 20 inches above grade; wall-mounted gable sign must be removed.

826 West Maxwell Street Application 1:04:14 Postponed to October 22, 2014.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 440 Fayette Park 1:19:35 Approved. Driveway must be L-shaped or other appropriate design; apron reduced to 16 feet; final door/window/garage door details submitted to staff; all changes reviewed by other LFUCG divisions before work begins.

August 27, 2014 Meeting Minutes 1:22:24 Approved with correction of a typo from "mustard" to "muster."

2015 Meeting Schedule 1:21:17 Approved as proposed.

Public Comment

Two speakers addressed the board regarding issues related to 520 West Short Street.

Jeff Walker 1:00:53 represented the 500s on Main Building HOA. He offered to open a dialogue with the applicants and proposed cost-effective solutions to address concerns, including reducing fan RPM to lower noise levels. He emphasized the HOA's willingness to work together on the matter.

Graham Paul 1:02:28 testified in support of the 520 West Short Street applicants. He described the extreme burden that noise from a garage fan has placed on the Hunts, stating that it has deprived them of their property. He characterized the noise issue as a major, real problem that has persisted since the building was constructed.

Contested Items

520 West Short Street Masonry Wall Proposal

A heated discussion arose regarding a proposed masonry wall at 520 West Short Street. The applicants and staff held opposing views on the project's design specifications.

The applicants strongly opposed the staff's recommendation to reduce the wall height and relocate it away from the fan. They argued that implementing these modifications would not effectively address the noise problem that the wall was intended to mitigate.

The board determined that the matter required further discussion and dialogue with neighbors before proceeding. Rather than move forward with the proposal as presented or accept the staff recommendations, the board emphasized the need for additional community engagement.

As a result of these disagreements and the board's position, the applicants withdrew their application.

113 Desha Road: Repair roof

Staff approved the repair of the roof at 113 Desha Road in the Ashland Park Historic District without requiring a board hearing. 6:07

The project was approved as a staff matter, allowing the roof repair work to proceed without the need for additional board review or public hearing.

101 South Hanover Avenue: Install BGT plaques

Staff approved the installation of BGT plaques at 101 South Hanover Avenue without requiring a board hearing 6:07.

The item was approved as presented.

240 South Ashland Avenue: Renovate structure

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 240 South Ashland Avenue in the South Ashland Historic District without requiring a board hearing. 6:07

The approval was granted as a staff decision, allowing the renovation project to proceed without the need for additional board review or public hearing.

271 Clay Avenue: Install railing

Staff approved the installation of railings at 271 Clay Avenue without requiring a board hearing. 6:07

The item was approved as presented.

598 East High Street: Renovate structure

6:07

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 598 East High Street without requiring a board hearing. The proposal was presented as a staff approval item and was approved by the body.

719 East High Street: Remove dying tree

6:07

Staff approved the removal of a dying tree at 719 East High Street. The matter was handled as a staff approval item and did not require a board hearing.

317 Lafayette Avenue: Repair/replacement of driveway

Staff approved the repair and replacement of the driveway at 317 Lafayette Avenue without requiring a board hearing. 6:07

The matter was handled as a staff approval item, proceeding without additional discussion or debate before the board.

Outcome: Approved

348 Linden Walk: Renovate structure

6:07

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 348 Linden Walk without requiring a board hearing. The item was processed as a staff approval matter.

Outcome: Approved

462 East Maxwell Street: Renovate structure

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 462 East Maxwell Street without requiring a board hearing. 6:07

The item was approved as a staff decision, proceeding without the need for additional board review or public hearing on this matter.

330 Woodland Avenue: Replace and install fence and gate

6:37

Staff approved the replacement and installation of fence and gate at 330 Woodland Avenue without requiring a board hearing. This item was processed as a staff approval matter.

525 Boonesboro Avenue: Renovate structure/prep for painting

Staff approved the renovation and preparation for painting of the structure at 525 Boonesboro Avenue in the Bell Court Historic District without requiring a board hearing. 6:37

The project proceeded through staff approval rather than full board review, streamlining the decision-making process for this historic district property improvement.

605 Boonesboro Avenue: Renovate structure

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 605 Boonesboro Avenue without a board hearing. 6:37

The item was approved as presented.

150 Forest Avenue: Renovate front porch

6:37

Staff approved the renovation of the front porch at 150 Forest Avenue without requiring a board hearing.

Outcome: Approved

530 Sayre Avenue: Renovate structure

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 530 Sayre Avenue without a board hearing. 6:37

The approval was granted as a staff decision, proceeding without requiring a formal board hearing for this agenda item.

417 West Third Street: Install satellite dish

6:37

Staff approved the installation of a satellite dish at 417 West Third Street in the North Side Historic District without requiring a board hearing.

Outcome: Approved

465 West Third Street: Renovate structure

6:37

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 465 West Third Street. The approval was granted without requiring a board hearing.

Outcome: Approved

324 Hampton Court: Renovate rear addition

6:37

Staff approved the renovation of the rear addition at 324 Hampton Court without requiring a board hearing. The project was processed as a staff approval item.

Outcome: Approved

200 West High Street: Renovate structure

6:37

Staff presented a proposal for the renovation of the structure at 200 West High Street. The item was approved by staff without requiring a board hearing.

Outcome: Approved

522 Arcadia Park: Renovate structure

6:37

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 522 Arcadia Park in the South Hill Historic District without requiring a board hearing.

The item was approved as presented.

433 Jersey Street: Replace awnings

Staff approved the replacement of awnings at 433 Jersey Street without requiring a board hearing 6:37.

The project was approved through the staff approval process, allowing the awning replacement to proceed without additional board review.

371 Macks Alley: Remove trees

Staff approved the removal of trees at 371 Macks Alley without a board hearing. 6:37

The matter was presented as a staff approval item and proceeded without requiring a full board hearing before the decision was made.

330 South Mill Street: Renovate structure

Staff approved the renovation of the structure at 330 South Mill Street without requiring a board hearing 6:37.

The approval was granted through the staff approval process, allowing the renovation project to proceed without the need for additional board review or public hearing.

Outcome: Approved

336 South Mill Street: Remove dead tree

6:37

Staff approved the removal of a dead tree at 336 South Mill Street. The matter was handled as a staff approval item and did not require a board hearing.

Outcome: Approved

340 South Mill Street: Remove dead tree

Staff approved the removal of a dead tree at 340 South Mill Street without requiring a board hearing. 6:37

The item was processed as a staff approval matter, indicating the decision did not necessitate full board deliberation or public hearing procedures.

Outcome: Approved

559 North Broadway: Enclose side porch; restore roof railing

Applicant and Presentation

Lynn Pettigrew appeared before the board to present an application for a certificate of appropriateness regarding modifications to 559 North Broadway. The proposed work includes enclosing a side porch and restoring the roof railing. 8:08

Board Action

The applicant agreed with the staff recommendations presented during the review. The board approved the application with a condition requiring that all changes be reviewed by staff after other LFUCG (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government) divisions have completed their respective reviews.

515 North Broadway: Change garage height and wall material

10:13

Applicant Status

The applicant was not present at the meeting.

Board Discussion and Concerns

The board discussed several technical concerns regarding the proposed changes to the garage:

• Door details
• Siding-to-grade proximity
• Fan ventilation

Outcome

The motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness passed with conditions. The approval requires:

• Staff review of final details
• Post-LFUCG division review

The Vice Chair led the discussion on this agenda item.

440 Fayette Park: Change design of previously approved garage and driveway plan

16:20

This agenda item concerned a request to change the design of a previously approved garage and driveway plan at 440 Fayette Park.

Initial Presentation and Tabling

When the item was first called, the applicant was not present. Due to the applicant's absence, the board decided to table the case to allow for further discussion and potential consultation with traffic engineering regarding the proposed changes.

Subsequent Approval

The applicant later returned to the meeting, and the board reconsidered the item. Following this subsequent presentation, the board approved the certificate of appropriateness for the change in garage and driveway design, subject to conditions.

Outcome

The case was approved with conditions.

330 Clay Avenue: Replace and increase front yard sign

Applicant: Gerald Huber-Mail

Item Type: Certificate of Appropriateness

Outcome: Approved with conditions

Summary:

The board considered an application to replace and increase the front yard sign at 330 Clay Avenue 18:11. Applicant Gerald Huber-Mail appeared before the board and indicated agreement with staff recommendations regarding the project.

The board approved the application subject to the following conditions:

• Restrictions on sign height
• Approval of final design details
• Removal of an existing wall-mounted gable sign

No significant opposition or debate was noted during the discussion. The applicant's acceptance of staff recommendations facilitated a straightforward approval process.

520 West Short Street: Construct masonry wall to buffer rear fan

29:49

Dean and Gail Hunt presented a certificate of appropriateness application to construct a 13-foot masonry wall at their property. The wall was designed to mitigate noise from a garage fan located at the rear of the building.

The board reviewed the proposal and raised concerns about the wall's dimensions and placement. Specifically, the board found that the proposed wall was too tall and positioned too close to the fan it was intended to buffer.

In response to the board's feedback, the applicants chose to withdraw their application. They indicated their intention to pursue further dialogue with their neighbors regarding the noise issue and the proposed solution.

Outcome: Withdrawn

826 West Maxwell Street: Rebuild rear addition, change openings and install covered porch

1:04:14

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness application for 826 West Maxwell Street regarding the rebuild of a rear addition, changes to openings, and installation of a covered porch.

The applicant requested postponement of this agenda item. The board unanimously approved the postponement, moving the consideration of this application to October 22, 2014.

125 Ransom Avenue: Demolish rear addition and dormer; construct two-story addition

The board conducted a conceptual review of a proposed project at 125 Ransom Avenue involving the demolition of a rear addition and dormer, with plans to construct a two-story addition in their place. 1:20:10

This item was presented for informational purposes as a conceptual review. No formal vote was taken, and the board did not take official action on the proposal during this meeting.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational in nature, with the discussion serving to introduce the conceptual plans to the board without requiring a decision at this time.

Review of minutes of August 27, 2014

1:20:10

The board reviewed the minutes from the August 27, 2014 meeting. During the review, a typographical error was identified and corrected. The word "mustard" was changed to "muster" to ensure accuracy of the record.

Following this correction, the minutes were approved by the board.

Draft meeting schedule for 2015

1:21:17

The board reviewed the proposed meeting schedule for 2015. The schedule was largely unchanged from the previous year's calendar. Following discussion, the board approved the draft 2015 meeting schedule.