Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review held a meeting on July 12, 2017. The meeting addressed three main agenda items and resulted in seven motions and votes being taken throughout the proceedings.

The board accomplished several key tasks during the session. They reviewed and approved the minutes from their previous meeting held on June 28, 2017. Staff provided informational updates on recent staff approvals that had been processed. The board also considered Certificate of Appropriateness applications, which were approved during the meeting.

No public comments were received during this meeting. The board conducted seven votes on various matters that came before them during the session, demonstrating an active agenda with multiple items requiring formal board action.

Votes and Decisions

The board considered seven certificates of appropriateness and one postponement during the July 12, 2017 meeting. All votes were conducted by voice vote rather than roll call.

Certificate of Appropriateness Approvals:

• Case 11670287-n (287 South Limestone): Motion by Mr. Chair to approve with conditions passed by voice vote 0:00. Conditions require the applicant to provide final fencing details, resubmit any changes, and undergo review by other divisions.

• Case 122721-h (721 West Main Street): Approval with conditions passed by voice vote 0:00. The applicant must provide final railing details, resubmit any changes, and complete review by other divisions.

• Case 14600331-b (331 Park Avenue): Motion by Mr. Chairman to approve with conditions passed by voice vote 0:00. Conditions include resubmitting any changes and review by other divisions.

• Case 19130337-f (337 Transylvania Park): Motion by Mr. Chair to approve with conditions passed by voice vote with one abstention 0:00. The applicant must submit lattice details, resubmit any changes, and undergo review by other divisions.

• Case 18800440-j (440 West Third Street): Approval with conditions passed by voice vote 0:00. Conditions require withdrawing the paving portion, resubmitting any changes, and review by other divisions.

• Case 02140501-j (601 Boonesboro Avenue): Motion by Mr. Chairman to approve with conditions passed by voice vote with one dissenting vote from Mr. Poll 0:00. Conditions specify using boral on new construction, disapproving boral on the historic structure, and using cement board on dormer walls.

Postponement:

• 625 East Main Street: The board voted by voice vote to postpone this case to August 9, 2017 0:00.

All approved certificates include standard conditions requiring applicants to resubmit any changes and complete review by other city divisions before proceeding with their projects.

Contested Items

The board faced one contested issue during the July 12, 2017 meeting regarding the use of Boral material at 601 Boonesboro Avenue.

Use of Boral Material at 601 Boonesboro Avenue

The board experienced a split vote concerning the proposed use of Boral material for a historic structure located at 601 Boonesboro Avenue. The disagreement centered on whether this material was appropriate for the historic property, with board members expressing concerns about both the suitability of Boral material for a historic structure and questions regarding its long-term durability.

The debate reflected differing perspectives among board members about balancing historic preservation standards with modern building materials. Some members appeared to have reservations about approving a contemporary material like Boral for use on a historic building, while others may have supported its use based on practical considerations.

The split vote indicates that the board was divided on this issue, though the specific vote count and individual board member positions are not detailed in the available information. The outcome of this contested vote and whether the use of Boral material was ultimately approved or denied was not specified in the meeting records.

This disagreement highlights the ongoing challenges historic preservation boards face when evaluating modern materials for use in historic structures, balancing the need to maintain historical integrity with practical construction and maintenance considerations.

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

Review minutes from June 28, 2017 BOAR meeting

0:00 The board reviewed the minutes from their previous meeting held on June 28, 2017. This routine agenda item involved examining the official record of discussions, decisions, and actions taken during the prior BOAR meeting.

The minutes were presented for board consideration and review. Board members had the opportunity to examine the document for accuracy and completeness before taking action on their approval.

Following the review process, the minutes from the June 28, 2017 BOAR meeting were approved by the board. No specific concerns or corrections were noted during the discussion of this agenda item.

The approval of these minutes ensures the official record of the June 28, 2017 meeting is formally accepted and will be maintained in the board's permanent records.

Staff Approvals

0:00

The board reviewed several staff approvals that had been processed for various properties throughout the jurisdiction. This informational item provided an update on routine administrative decisions made by staff under their delegated authority.

The staff approvals covered a range of property modifications and improvements, including:

• Tree removal requests for various residential properties
• Porch renovation projects that met established guidelines
• Lighting installation approvals for both residential and commercial properties

These approvals represent routine matters that fall within staff's administrative purview and do not require full board review. The items were processed according to established criteria and guidelines, allowing property owners to proceed with their planned improvements in a timely manner.

No specific concerns were raised regarding any of the approved items during this informational presentation. The board acknowledged the staff approvals as part of the regular administrative process, demonstrating the ongoing work to facilitate appropriate property improvements while maintaining community standards.

This agenda item served as a routine update to keep board members informed of staff activities and decisions made between meetings, ensuring transparency in the administrative approval process.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

0:00

The board reviewed several Certificate of Appropriateness applications during this meeting, focusing on proposed construction projects including fences, patios, and porches within the historic district.

The applications represented various types of residential improvements that property owners sought to make while maintaining compliance with historic preservation standards. The discussion centered on ensuring that proposed modifications would be appropriate for the historic character of the district and would not adversely impact the architectural integrity of the area.

Board members evaluated each application based on established criteria for historic appropriateness, considering factors such as materials, design compatibility, and visual impact on surrounding properties. The review process involved examining construction plans and specifications to determine whether the proposed work would meet the standards required for properties within the historic district.

The applications were ultimately approved, indicating that the board found the proposed fence, patio, and porch construction projects to be consistent with historic preservation guidelines and appropriate for the district's character.