Courthouse Area Design Review Board

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Courthouse Area Design Review Board held a meeting on November 15, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber of the LFUCG Center, presided over by Mr. Chairman. The board considered three agenda items during the session, taking two votes and hearing four public comments.

The board approved an application for authorization permits for Case No. 3-2017 at 125 Cheapside. It deferred action on amendments for authorization permits for Case No. 4-2012 at 100 W. Main Street, Centrepointe, postponing a decision on that matter to a future meeting. The board also approved the 2018 meeting schedule for the body.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on November 15, 2017:

• Jim Gray
• Jim Duncan
• Brandy
• Scott Nelson
• Mike Moyzer
• Randy
• Graham
• Dudley Webb
• Laith Ross
• Ben Steffen

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Authorization Permit for 125 Cheapside Storefront Replacement 33:43

The body approved an authorization permit for storefront replacement at 125 Cheapside with an updated design. Graham moved the approval, and Randy seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.

The approval includes a condition that staff work with the applicant and appropriate advisory personnel to ensure elements listed in guideline EDG 3.4 are confirmed to be beyond repair before replacement proceeds.

2018 Meeting Schedule 1:21:47

The body approved the 2018 meeting schedule by voice vote. The motion passed.

Public Comment

Four speakers addressed the board during the public comment period.

Mike Moyzer 12:25 expressed concern about the removal of historic corbels and cornice from a building before the board had an opportunity to review them. He stated that this removal last week undermined the review process and could encourage applicants to act without obtaining proper permits. Moyzer called for staff to enforce proper procedures going forward.

Graham 26:17 highlighted ambiguity in the interpretation of guidelines and called for a comprehensive review of both the process and guidelines themselves. Graham emphasized the importance of ensuring that facts presented to the board are accurate and that decisions are based on integrity.

Laith Ross 1:19:11, representing the owner of the McAdams Morford building, expressed support for an elevated pedway project, contingent on it being executed correctly. Ross noted that the pedway could improve parking access and enhance the rental potential of the building.

Ben Steffen 1:20:15, manager of Central Parking, spoke in favor of garage interconnectivity via pedways. He emphasized the operational benefits of connected garages, particularly during high-demand events when overflow parking is needed.

Appointments

The following changes were made to board appointments:

• Brandy resigned from the Courthouse Area Design Review Board
• Key was appointed to the Courthouse Area Design Review Board

Contested Items

Removal of Historic Features Before Review

The Bluegrass Trust raised a procedural dispute regarding the 125 Cheapside building. Historic corbels and cornice were removed from the structure immediately before the board meeting, which the Trust argued undermined the integrity of the review process. This action created a procedural dispute centered on whether the removal should have occurred prior to the board's formal consideration of the building's historic features.

Elevated Pedway Proposal

A proposal for an elevated pedway generated heated discussion among meeting participants. The disagreement centered on multiple concerns about the structure's impact, including its effect on street-level pedestrian activity, view corridors, and compatibility with historic buildings in the area. Participants held strong opinions on both sides of the proposal, though the specific positions and outcomes of the discussion are not detailed in the available meeting record.

Applications for Authorization Permits: Case No. 3-2017, 125 Cheapside

3:39

The board considered an application for authorization permits at 125 Cheapside, which involved replacing wood trim on the storefront with an updated design. The proposed work included sunken panel details, stained Douglas fir beadboard, and new lighting fixtures.

Staff recommended approval of the application. However, public comment raised concerns about the removal of historic corbels and cornice elements prior to board review. This premature removal of architectural features prompted discussion about the need for verification before proceeding.

Key speakers in the discussion included Brandy, Scott Nelson, Mike Moyzer, and Graham.

The board ultimately approved the application with a contingency: staff must verify that the replaced elements are beyond repair before the work can proceed. This condition ensured that historic architectural components would only be removed if they could not be salvaged or restored, protecting the historic integrity of the storefront while allowing the modernization project to move forward.

Amendments for Authorization Permits: Case No. 4-2012, 100 W. Main Street, Centrepointe

37:22

The board held an exploratory dialogue regarding proposed amendments for authorization permits at 100 W. Main Street, Centrepointe. The applicant presented a proposal for an elevated pedway that would connect the Centrepointe development to the McAdams Morford building and parking garage.

Key Speakers

The discussion involved board members Brandy, Dudley Webb, Graham, Laith Ross, and Ben Steffen.

Presentation and Discussion

The applicant outlined the elevated pedway concept as part of the broader Centrepointe development plan. The proposal was examined in the context of applicable design guidelines and development standards.

Concerns Raised

Board members raised several concerns during the discussion:

• Impact on street-level pedestrian activity and vitality
• Effects on view corridors within the downtown area
• Compatibility of the elevated structure with nearby historic buildings

Outcome

No formal vote was taken on the proposal. The board concluded the discussion without rendering a decision, deferring the matter for further consideration.

Approval of 2018 Meeting Schedule

1:21:47

The board reviewed and approved the proposed 2018 meeting schedule during this agenda item. Brandy presented the schedule to the board for consideration.

The 2018 meeting dates were set as follows:

• February 14
• May 9
• August 8
• November 14

The board voted on the proposed schedule by voice vote, and the motion passed with approval.