Board of Architectural Review Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review held a meeting on October 14, 2015. The meeting addressed 24 agenda items related to historic preservation and architectural review across multiple historic districts in the city.

The board reviewed and approved 17 applications for various renovation and improvement projects spanning seven historic districts: Ashland Park, Aylesford, Bell Court, Elsmere Park, Mulberry Hill, Northside, South Hill, and Woodward Heights. Approved projects included tree removals, fence installations, porch renovations, roof replacements, structural renovations, awning installations, and stained glass window restoration. The board also reviewed the minutes from their September 23, 2015 meeting.

Four additional items were presented for informational purposes, including projects for a roof over a back patio, tree removal, porch construction, and a second-story addition. One application at 114 East Third Street in the Constitution Historic District for exterior stair rework was withdrawn.

No formal votes were recorded in the meeting data, and no public comments were documented. The meeting demonstrated the board's ongoing work to balance property improvements with historic preservation requirements across the city's designated historic districts.

Review minutes for September 23, 2015 BOAR meeting

The board conducted a review of the minutes from their previous meeting held on September 23, 2015. This agenda item was presented as an informational discussion item for the board's consideration.

The review of the September 23, 2015 BOAR meeting minutes was handled as a standard procedural matter during the meeting. No specific speakers were identified as leading the discussion of this agenda item, and no transcript timestamp was available for this portion of the meeting.

The minutes review served as an informational item, allowing board members to examine the record of their previous meeting's proceedings and discussions. This type of review is typically conducted to ensure accuracy of the official record and to provide board members an opportunity to request any necessary corrections or clarifications to the documented proceedings.

The outcome of this agenda item was classified as informational, indicating that no formal action was required or taken regarding the September 23, 2015 meeting minutes during this review process.

217 Desha Road (Ashland Park Historic District): Remove two deteriorated trees.

Staff approved the removal of two deteriorated trees at 217 Desha Road in the Ashland Park Historic District. This agenda item was processed as an administrative matter, with staff having already reviewed and granted approval for the tree removal request.

The property is located within the Ashland Park Historic District, which requires special consideration for any modifications to the landscape or structures that could affect the historic character of the area. The removal of trees in historic districts typically requires review to ensure that such actions do not negatively impact the historic integrity or visual character of the district.

The trees in question were determined to be deteriorated, indicating they posed potential safety concerns or were no longer viable. Staff's approval suggests that the removal met the necessary criteria for tree removal within the historic district guidelines.

No specific discussion or debate was recorded for this item, indicating it was handled as a routine administrative approval. The outcome was approval for the property owner to proceed with removing the two deteriorated trees at 217 Desha Road.

307 Desha Road (Ashland Park Historic District): Renovate addition.

Staff approved the renovation of an addition at 307 Desha Road in the Ashland Park Historic District. This property is located within one of the city's designated historic districts, which requires review of exterior modifications to ensure compatibility with the historic character of the neighborhood.

The application involved renovating an existing addition to the historic property rather than new construction. Staff review determined that the proposed renovation work met the appropriate standards for historic district properties and was compatible with the surrounding historic context.

The item was handled through staff-level approval, indicating that the proposed changes were considered routine and met established guidelines without requiring full board review or public hearing. This administrative approval process is typically used for minor modifications or renovations that clearly comply with historic district standards.

No speakers were identified for this agenda item, and no transcript timing was available, suggesting this was likely presented as a consent or administrative item rather than a matter requiring extensive discussion or debate.

The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the renovation work on the addition at 307 Desha Road in accordance with the plans reviewed by staff and the applicable historic district guidelines.

248 South Hanover Avenue (Ashland Park Historic District): Install new fence.

The commission reviewed a staff-approved application for the installation of a new fence at 248 South Hanover Avenue, located within the Ashland Park Historic District.

Staff had already granted approval for this fence installation project prior to the meeting. The application involved installing new fencing at the residential property, which required review due to the property's location within the historic district boundaries.

No specific discussion details, concerns, or debate were recorded for this agenda item. The matter was presented as a staff-approved project, indicating it met the necessary historic district guidelines and requirements for fence installations.

The outcome was approved, confirming staff's earlier decision to permit the new fence installation at the South Hanover Avenue property.

1000 Richmond Road (Ashland Park Historic District): Install canvas awnings.

Staff approved the installation of canvas awnings at 1000 Richmond Road, located within the Ashland Park Historic District. This agenda item was processed as a staff-level approval, indicating the proposed awnings met the district's design guidelines and preservation standards without requiring full board review.

The application involved installing canvas awnings at the Richmond Road property, which falls under the jurisdiction of the historic district's design review process. Canvas awnings are typically considered an appropriate historic treatment for commercial and residential properties in historic districts, as they can enhance the character of buildings while providing practical benefits such as weather protection and energy efficiency.

The staff approval suggests the proposed awnings were compatible with the historic character of the Ashland Park Historic District and met the established criteria for materials, design, and installation methods. Staff-level approvals are generally granted for routine maintenance items and minor alterations that clearly comply with the district's design guidelines.

The outcome was approval of the canvas awning installation at 1000 Richmond Road.

315 Transylvania Park (Aylesford Historic District): Tree work.

Staff reported that tree work at 315 Transylvania Park in the Aylesford Historic District had been approved. The agenda item was presented as a staff-approved matter, indicating that the proposed tree work met the necessary requirements for work within the historic district.

No specific details were provided in the available materials regarding the nature of the tree work, the condition of the trees requiring attention, or the scope of the approved activities. The item appears to have been handled administratively by staff under their delegated authority for routine maintenance matters in historic districts.

The approval was reported without discussion or debate from board members, suggesting the tree work was considered standard maintenance that did not raise preservation concerns or require special consideration beyond normal historic district review procedures.

Outcome: The tree work at 315 Transylvania Park was approved by staff.

609 Boonesboro Avenue (Bell Court Historic District): Renovate front porch.

The commission reviewed a proposal to renovate the front porch at 609 Boonesboro Avenue, located within the Bell Court Historic District. This agenda item was handled through staff approval rather than requiring full commission deliberation.

Staff had already approved the renovation project for the front porch at this historic district property. The renovation work was deemed appropriate for the historic character of the Bell Court Historic District and met the necessary preservation standards.

No specific speakers were identified for this item, and no transcript timestamp was available, indicating this may have been presented as a consent item or brief staff report rather than a detailed discussion requiring commission debate.

The outcome was approval of the front porch renovation project at 609 Boonesboro Avenue.

505 East Main Street (Bell Court Historic District): Restore stain glass window.

The commission reviewed a proposal for the restoration of a stained glass window at 505 East Main Street, located within the Bell Court Historic District. This agenda item was presented as item 7 during the meeting.

Staff had already reviewed and approved the restoration project prior to the commission meeting. The proposal involved restoring an existing stained glass window at the historic property, which would help preserve the architectural character and historical integrity of the building within the designated historic district.

The Bell Court Historic District designation requires review of exterior modifications to ensure they are appropriate for the historic character of the area. Stained glass window restoration typically involves careful preservation techniques to maintain the original materials and craftsmanship while addressing any structural or aesthetic deterioration.

The commission accepted the staff's approval of the restoration project. No significant concerns or objections were raised during the discussion, and the restoration work was approved to proceed as proposed.

This type of restoration project aligns with historic preservation goals by maintaining original architectural features that contribute to the historic character of both the individual property and the broader Bell Court Historic District.

683 Elsmere Park (Elsmere Park Historic District): Renovate front porch.

The commission reviewed a proposal for front porch renovations at 683 Elsmere Park, located within the Elsmere Park Historic District. This item was presented as agenda item 8 during the meeting.

Staff had already approved the renovation project for the front porch at this historic district property. The application involved modifications to the existing porch structure at the residential property.

No specific speakers were identified during the discussion of this agenda item, and no transcript timestamp was available for this portion of the meeting. The item appears to have been handled as a routine matter given the prior staff approval.

The commission ultimately approved the front porch renovation project at 683 Elsmere Park. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the proposed modifications to the porch while maintaining compliance with the historic district guidelines and preservation standards that apply to properties within the Elsmere Park Historic District.

408 North Limestone (Mulberry Hill Historic District): Renovate structure.

The commission reviewed a renovation project for a structure located at 408 North Limestone Street within the Mulberry Hill Historic District. This item was designated as agenda item 9 for the meeting.

Staff had previously reviewed the proposed renovation plans and granted approval for the project. The renovation involves modifications to an existing structure in this historically significant district, which requires review to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and guidelines.

The Mulberry Hill Historic District designation means that any exterior alterations, renovations, or modifications to structures within the district boundaries must undergo review to maintain the historical integrity and character of the neighborhood. This oversight process helps preserve the architectural and cultural significance of the area.

The commission accepted staff's approval of the renovation project without additional discussion or debate recorded in the meeting materials. No specific concerns were raised regarding the proposed work, and no speakers were identified as participating in discussion of this item.

The renovation project at 408 North Limestone was approved, allowing the property owner to proceed with the planned improvements to the structure while maintaining compliance with historic district requirements and preservation standards.

449 North Limestone (Mulberry Hill Historic District): Renovate structure.

The commission reviewed a proposal to renovate a structure located at 449 North Limestone within the Mulberry Hill Historic District. This item was designated as agenda item 10 for the meeting.

Staff had previously reviewed the renovation plans and provided their approval for the proposed work. The renovation project involved modifications to the existing structure at this address within the historic district boundaries.

As this property is located within the Mulberry Hill Historic District, any exterior alterations or renovations require review to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and guidelines. The district designation means that changes to structures must be evaluated for their impact on the historic character and integrity of the neighborhood.

The commission ultimately approved the renovation project for 449 North Limestone. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the planned structural renovations as presented in the application materials.

No specific details were provided in the available materials regarding the scope of the renovation work, the architectural features being modified, or any conditions attached to the approval. The straightforward approval suggests the proposed renovations were consistent with the historic district guidelines and preservation standards.

360 Hampton Court (Northside Historic District): Renovate front stoop.

The commission reviewed a staff-approved application for renovating the front stoop at 360 Hampton Court, located within the Northside Historic District. This item was presented as agenda item 11 during the meeting.

The renovation project involved modifications to the existing front stoop of the historic property. Staff had already reviewed and approved the proposed work prior to the commission meeting, indicating that the renovation plans met the district's historic preservation guidelines and requirements.

No specific speakers were identified for this agenda item, and no transcript timestamp was available for the discussion. The item appears to have been handled as a routine matter, likely involving minimal debate given the prior staff approval.

The commission approved the front stoop renovation project for 360 Hampton Court. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the planned improvements to the entrance feature while maintaining compliance with the Northside Historic District's preservation standards.

This type of front stoop renovation typically involves repairs or replacements that preserve the historic character of the building's entrance while addressing structural or safety concerns. The staff's prior approval suggests the proposed work was consistent with the district's design guidelines and would not adversely impact the historic integrity of the property or surrounding neighborhood.

322 West Second Street (Northside Historic District): Install temporary ramp.

Staff approved the installation of a temporary ramp at 322 West Second Street, located within the Northside Historic District. This agenda item was processed as a staff-level approval without requiring full board discussion or debate.

The application involved installing temporary accessibility infrastructure at the historic property. As a temporary installation, the ramp would provide necessary accessibility accommodations while maintaining the ability to remove the structure without permanent alterations to the historic building or site.

The approval was granted through the staff review process, indicating that the proposed temporary ramp met the applicable guidelines for modifications within the historic district. Staff determinations typically apply to minor alterations that have minimal impact on the historic character of properties and districts.

No speakers were recorded for this item, and no concerns or objections were raised during the meeting. The straightforward nature of the temporary installation and its approval through staff review suggests the proposal was consistent with preservation standards for the Northside Historic District.

The outcome was approval of the temporary ramp installation at 322 West Second Street.

408 West Third Street (Northside Historic District): Replace roof.

Staff approved the replacement of a roof at 408 West Third Street in the Northside Historic District. This agenda item was designated as item 13 on the meeting agenda.

The application involved a property located within the Northside Historic District, which requires review for exterior modifications to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards. The proposed work consisted of replacing the existing roof on the structure.

Staff had reviewed the roof replacement proposal and determined it met the appropriate standards for work within the historic district. The application was approved through the staff review process without requiring full board consideration or debate.

No specific concerns were raised regarding this roof replacement project, and no speakers were identified as participating in discussion of this item. The approval indicates that the proposed roofing materials and installation methods were deemed appropriate for the historic character of the district and the specific property.

The outcome was approval of the roof replacement project, allowing the property owner to proceed with the work as proposed in their application to the historic preservation review process.

465 West Third Street (Northside Historic District): Renovate structure.

Staff approved the renovation of a structure located at 465 West Third Street within the Northside Historic District. This agenda item was designated as item 14 on the meeting docket.

The proposal involved renovating an existing structure in the historically significant Northside Historic District. As a property within a designated historic district, any renovation work requires review and approval to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and guidelines.

The renovation project received staff approval, indicating that the proposed work met the necessary criteria for historic district compliance. The approval suggests that the renovation plans were deemed appropriate for the historic character and integrity of the district.

No specific details were provided regarding the scope of the renovation work, the property owner, or any particular design elements that were reviewed. The item appears to have proceeded through the standard administrative review process for historic district properties without requiring extended discussion or debate from the governing body.

The approval of this renovation project allows the property owner to proceed with the planned improvements to the structure while maintaining compliance with the historic district's preservation requirements.

370 South Broadway (South Hill Historic District): Renovate structure.

Staff approved the renovation of a structure located at 370 South Broadway within the South Hill Historic District. This agenda item was designated as item 15 on the meeting agenda and involved discussion of proposed structural renovations to the historic property.

The application for renovation was reviewed and ultimately received staff approval. As a property within the South Hill Historic District, any structural modifications require review to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and district guidelines.

The meeting materials indicate this was a discussion item that resulted in approval of the proposed renovation work. However, specific details about the nature of the renovations, the scope of work proposed, or any conditions attached to the approval were not captured in the available documentation.

No transcript timestamps were available for this agenda item, and no specific speakers were identified in the discussion of this historic district renovation project.

The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the proposed renovation work at 370 South Broadway in accordance with the reviewed plans and any applicable historic district requirements.

353 South Mill Street (South Hill Historic District): Renovate structure.

Staff approved the renovation of a structure located at 353 South Mill Street within the South Hill Historic District. This agenda item was designated as item 16 on the meeting agenda.

The proposal involved renovating an existing structure in this historically designated area. As part of the South Hill Historic District, any modifications to buildings in this location require review to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and guidelines.

Staff reviewed the renovation plans and determined they met the necessary requirements for work within the historic district. The renovation was approved through the staff review process without requiring further discussion or debate from the board.

No specific details were provided regarding the scope of the renovation work, the nature of the improvements planned, or any particular historic preservation considerations that were evaluated during the staff review process.

The item concluded with staff approval of the renovation project, allowing the property owner to proceed with the proposed work at 353 South Mill Street in accordance with the reviewed and approved plans.

426 South Upper Street (South Hill Historic District): Renovate siding.

Staff approved the renovation of siding at 426 South Upper Street, located within the South Hill Historic District. This agenda item was designated as item 17 on the meeting agenda.

The proposal involved renovating the existing siding on the historic property. As a property located within the South Hill Historic District, any exterior modifications require review to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and district guidelines.

The application received staff approval, indicating that the proposed siding renovation met the necessary criteria for historic district properties. Staff approval suggests the renovation plans were consistent with the historic character of the district and followed appropriate preservation practices for the property's architectural style and period.

The item was processed as a staff-level approval without requiring full board discussion or debate during the meeting.

461 East Maxwell Street (Aylesford Historic District): Build roof over back patio

The board reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 461 East Maxwell Street, located within the Aylesford Historic District. The proposal involves constructing a roof over an existing back patio at the property.

This agenda item was presented as an informational discussion item, with the application having been submitted for the board's consideration. The proposed work would add overhead coverage to the rear patio area of the historic district property.

No specific details about the design, materials, or construction methods for the proposed patio roof were documented in the available meeting materials. The item appears to have been presented for initial review and discussion by the board members.

As this was categorized as an informational item, no formal action or vote was taken during this meeting regarding the Certificate of Appropriateness application. The discussion served to introduce the proposal to the board for their consideration of the project's appropriateness within the historic district guidelines.

The Aylesford Historic District designation means that exterior modifications to properties within the district boundaries require review and approval to ensure compatibility with the historic character of the neighborhood. Patio roof additions would typically be evaluated based on factors such as design compatibility, materials selection, and visual impact on the historic property and surrounding area.

352 Merino Street (Woodward Heights Historic District): Remove trees.

The commission reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the removal of trees at 352 Merino Street, located within the Woodward Heights Historic District. This agenda item was presented as an informational discussion regarding the proposed tree removal project.

The application sought approval to remove trees from the property, though the specific details about the number, type, or condition of the trees to be removed were not detailed in the available meeting materials. As a property within the Woodward Heights Historic District, any exterior alterations, including tree removal, require review and approval from the historic preservation commission to ensure compliance with the district's historic character and preservation guidelines.

This item was handled as a discussion and informational matter, indicating that the commission was reviewing the application details and considering the appropriateness of the proposed tree removal within the context of the historic district's preservation standards. The outcome was recorded as informational, suggesting this may have been an initial presentation or review of the application rather than a final decision.

No specific transcript timestamps were available for this agenda item, and no key speakers were identified in the meeting materials for this particular discussion.

449 North Limestone Street (Mulberry Hill Historic District): Rebuild front porch

The commission reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 449 North Limestone Street, located within the Mulberry Hill Historic District. The proposed project involves rebuilding the existing front porch and constructing a new covered rear porch on the property.

This agenda item was presented as an informational discussion regarding the application submitted for the historic property. The proposal includes two main components: reconstruction of the front porch structure and the addition of a new covered porch area at the rear of the building.

As a property within the Mulberry Hill Historic District, any exterior modifications require review and approval through the Certificate of Appropriateness process to ensure compatibility with the historic character of the neighborhood and compliance with preservation guidelines.

The meeting materials indicate this was a discussion item without a formal vote or decision recorded during this session. No specific concerns, design details, or commissioner comments were documented in the available information for this agenda item.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

245 South Hanover Avenue (Ashland Park Historic District): Add second story to rear addition

The commission reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 245 South Hanover Avenue in the Ashland Park Historic District. The proposal involves adding a second story to an existing rear addition on the property.

This agenda item was presented as an informational discussion item during the meeting. The application seeks approval to construct additional living space by expanding vertically on the rear portion of the historic property, which would not affect the primary historic structure facing South Hanover Avenue.

The meeting materials indicate this was item 4 on the agenda and was categorized as a discussion item rather than requiring immediate action. No specific speakers were identified in the available records for this particular agenda item.

The outcome was listed as informational, suggesting the commission received the application details and may have provided initial feedback or guidance to the applicant, but did not take formal action such as approving or denying the Certificate of Appropriateness at this meeting.

Properties in the Ashland Park Historic District are subject to design review requirements to ensure that modifications and additions are compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood. The rear addition location of the proposed second story would typically be considered less impactful to the historic integrity of the property compared to changes to the primary facade.

Further review and formal action on this Certificate of Appropriateness application would likely occur at a subsequent commission meeting once additional details, plans, or revisions were submitted by the applicant.

370 South Broadway (South Hill Historic District): Demolish rear addition/build

The commission reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 370 South Broadway, located within the South Hill Historic District. The proposal involves demolishing an existing rear addition to the property and constructing a new addition in its place.

This agenda item was presented as an informational discussion regarding the demolition and reconstruction plans. The application represents a modification to a historic property within one of the city's designated historic districts, requiring review to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards and district guidelines.

The meeting materials indicate this was item 5 on the agenda and was categorized as a discussion item rather than requiring formal action at this meeting. No specific speakers were identified in the available records for this particular agenda item.

As this was an informational presentation, no formal decision or vote was taken on the Certificate of Appropriateness application during this meeting. The item appears to have been presented to familiarize commission members with the proposed project and allow for initial discussion of the demolition and new construction plans for the South Hill Historic District property.

114 East Third Street (Constitution Historic District): Rework exterior stair.

The Certificate of Appropriateness application for reworking the exterior stair at 114 East Third Street in the Constitution Historic District was withdrawn during the meeting. No discussion took place on this agenda item as the applicant withdrew the proposal prior to presentation.

The application would have addressed modifications to the exterior stairway of the property located within the Constitution Historic District, but the specific details of the proposed rework were not presented due to the withdrawal.