Board of Architectural Review Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review met on March 11, 2015. During the meeting, the board addressed 11 agenda items, took 6 motions and votes, and heard 1 public comment. Eight applications were approved, including requests to replace trees at 324 South Mill Street, remove a diseased tree at 316 West High Street, remove walls at 763 Caden Lane, change and install new windows at 731 West Main Street, install grassy pavers in a driveway at 601 Russell Avenue, expand a rear porch at 418 West Third Street, and install a pool at 341 Madison Place. The board also approved the minutes from the February 25, 2015 meeting. One item—a request to change rear openings at 165 Woodland Avenue—was postponed. One application to install red rock pebbles in a driveway at 145 West Bell Court was withdrawn. An informational item regarding the installation of a retaining wall and change in column arrangement at 148 Woodland Avenue was also presented.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on March 11, 2015:

• Greg Fitzsimons
• Tom Cheek
• Amelia
• Mr. Chair
• Mrs. Tate
• Mr. Grant

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

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

Minutes Approval 17:52 The minutes from the February 25, 2015 meeting were accepted.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 731 West Main Street 4:52 The motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to change, relocate, and install new windows passed. The approval includes conditions that final window specifications must be reviewed by staff prior to purchase, and all changes must be reviewed by other LFUCG divisions and returned to staff for approval prior to the start of work.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 601 Russell Avenue 6:58 The motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to install grassy pavers in the driveway passed with no conditions.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 418 West Third Street 9:42 The motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to expand the rear porch passed. Multiple conditions were imposed, including retention of the original rear porch core and architectural elements, lattice squares of 1 to 1.5 inches, submission of final details for streamlined brackets and spandrels to staff, roof meeting the brick wall at current elevation, submission of metal roofing details to staff, and review by other LFUCG divisions with staff approval prior to work commencement.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 341 Madison Place 15:09 The motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a pool passed. Conditions include archaeologist monitoring of excavation, submission of final pool mechanical system details to staff, submission of final fence details to staff, and review by other LFUCG divisions with staff approval prior to work start.

Postponement of 165 Woodland Avenue 15:43 The motion to postpone the application for 165 Woodland Avenue until March 25, 2015 passed.

Public Comment

13:00

A neighbor addressed the council regarding the proposed pool at 341 Madison Place. The speaker expressed concern about the design and type of pool planned for the location. Specifically, the neighbor opposed the installation of a full-sized pool, stating a preference for alternative designs such as a wading pool or river-type pool. The speaker characterized a full-sized pool as "tacky" and voiced opposition to moving forward with that particular design option.

Contested Items

341 Madison Place Pool

A neighbor raised objections to a proposed pool at 341 Madison Place. The opposition centered on two main concerns: the aesthetic quality of the project and the type of pool being planned.

The neighbor characterized the pool as "tacky" and expressed a preference for alternative designs. Specifically, they objected to the plan for a full-sized pool, arguing instead for a wading pool or river-type pool as more appropriate for the location.

No outcome regarding this dispute was documented in the available meeting materials.

324 South Mill Street: Replace trees

Staff approved the replacement of trees at 324 South Mill Street in the South Hill Historic District 3:05. This item required staff approval only, and no board discussion or vote was necessary.

The proposal was approved as presented.

316 West High Street: Remove diseased tree

3:05

Staff approved the removal of a diseased tree at 316 West High Street. This agenda item required no board discussion or vote, as it was handled through staff approval.

Outcome: Approved

763 Caden Lane: Remove walls

3:05

Staff approved the removal of walls at 763 Caden Lane, located in the Cadentown Historic District. This agenda item required staff approval only, and no board discussion or vote was necessary for the decision.

Outcome: Approved

Review of Minutes February 25, 2015

16:46

The board reviewed the minutes from the February 25, 2015 meeting. Mr. Grant led this agenda item.

The minutes were accepted by the board without any amendments required.

Outcome: The minutes were approved.

731 West Main Street: Change/relocate/install new windows

3:40

An application for a certificate of appropriateness to change, relocate, and install new windows at 731 West Main Street was presented to the board.

Key Speakers

Mr. Grant and Mrs. Tate participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Outcome

The application was approved with conditions. The approval was contingent upon final window specifications and coordination with other LFUCG (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government) divisions to ensure the work meets all applicable requirements and standards.

601 Russell Avenue: Install grassy pavers in driveway

6:28

Application Type: Certificate of Appropriateness

Outcome: Approved without conditions

The application to install grassy pavers in the driveway at 601 Russell Avenue was presented for review. Mr. Grant addressed the agenda item on behalf of the applicant.

The proposal was approved based on staff recommendation, with no conditions imposed on the approval.

418 West Third Street: Expand the rear porch

8:07

The board considered an application for a certificate of appropriateness to expand the rear porch at 418 West Third Street. Greg Fitzsimons and Mr. Grant were the key speakers on this agenda item.

The application was approved with conditions. The approval required the applicant to retain original architectural elements as part of the expansion work. Additionally, the board specified requirements regarding lattice size for the project. The applicant was directed to submit final details for approval before proceeding with construction.

341 Madison Place: Install pool

10:13

The board considered a certificate of appropriateness application to install a pool at 341 Madison Place.

Outcome

The application was approved with conditions.

Conditions of Approval

The approval included the following requirements:

• Archaeological monitoring must be conducted
• Mechanical and fencing details must be submitted for review
• Interdivisional review must be completed

Key Participants

The discussion involved Tom Cheek, Amelia, and Mr. Grant.

165 Woodland Avenue: Change rear openings

Item Type: Certificate of Appropriateness

Outcome: Postponed

The application for a certificate of appropriateness regarding changes to rear openings at 165 Woodland Avenue was postponed at the request of the applicant. 15:43

Mr. Grant was the key speaker on this agenda item. The application was scheduled to be reconsidered on March 25, 2015.

145 West Bell Court: Install red rock pebbles in driveway

16:16

This agenda item concerned a certificate of appropriateness application for installing red rock pebbles in the driveway at 145 West Bell Court.

The application was withdrawn by the applicant and was not considered further by the body.

148 Woodland Avenue: Install retaining wall and change column arrangement

18:28

A staff presentation was provided on the conceptual review for 148 Woodland Avenue regarding the installation of a retaining wall and changes to the column arrangement.

Presentation

Mr. Grant presented the conceptual review for this project.

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature. No vote or decision was recorded in the meeting transcript.