Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review convened on December 13, 2017, with Mr. Chair presiding over the session. The meeting addressed three main agenda items, including a review of minutes from the November 15, 2017 meeting, staff approvals, and Certificate of Appropriateness applications. The board conducted 10 motions and votes during the session, though no public comments were received. All three agenda items were handled as informational matters, suggesting the meeting focused primarily on administrative business and updates rather than contentious decisions requiring extensive deliberation.

Attendance

The following members were present at the December 13, 2017 meeting:

• Mr. Chair
• Miss Murphy
• Miss Tate
• Miss Armstrong
• Mr. Poll
• Miss Lenore
• Miss Kerr

All members were in attendance with no absences or late arrivals recorded.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included ten motions for certificates of appropriateness, with nine approvals and one disapproval. All votes were conducted by voice vote with motions made by the Chair.

Approved Applications:

• 14600364-b - Certificate of appropriateness for 364 Park Avenue passed 0:00. The approval included the condition that any changes altering the project must be resubmitted to staff prior to starting affected work.

• 37670318-d - Certificate of appropriateness for 318 Lake Alley passed 0:00. Same resubmission condition applies for any alterations.

• 18800440-j - Certificate of appropriateness for 440 West Third Street passed 0:00. Includes the standard resubmission condition for changes.

• 11670275-v - Certificate of appropriateness for 275 South Limestone Unit 110 passed 0:00. Standard resubmission condition applies.

• 11670275-q - Certificate of appropriateness for 275 South Limestone Unit 120 passed 0:00. Standard resubmission condition applies.

• 11670275-r - Certificate of appropriateness for 275 South Limestone Unit 130 passed 0:00. Standard resubmission condition applies.

• 11670275-s - Certificate of appropriateness for 275 South Limestone Unit 140 passed 0:00. Standard resubmission condition applies.

• 11670275-t - Certificate of appropriateness for 275 South Limestone Unit 150 passed 0:00. Standard resubmission condition applies.

• 18800412-e - Certificate of appropriateness for 412 West Third Street passed 0:00. This approval had no additional conditions.

Disapproved Application:

• 08760137-d - Certificate of appropriateness for 612 West Short Street failed 0:00. The motion for disapproval was unsuccessful, though the specific voting details were not recorded in the voice vote format.

All motions were made by the Chair with seconds from unidentified members. The voice vote format did not capture individual member voting positions or exact vote tallies.

Contested Items

The December 13, 2017 meeting featured two significant contested applications that generated heated discussions between applicants and board members.

Trex Fence Installation at 612 West Short Street

The board engaged in a heated discussion regarding an application to install a Trex fence at 612 West Short Street. The applicant made arguments in favor of approving the composite fencing material, despite it not being permitted under current historic district guidelines. Board members cited existing restrictions that prohibit Trex and similar synthetic materials in the historic district. After deliberation, the board disapproved the application due to the guideline restrictions, maintaining consistency with established preservation standards.

Vinyl Window Replacement at 209 Dantzler

A contentious debate arose over an application to replace original windows with vinyl windows at 209 Dantzler. The applicants presented arguments emphasizing safety concerns and functional improvements that vinyl windows would provide. However, board members opposed the proposal, noting that vinyl window replacements violate historic preservation guidelines designed to maintain the architectural integrity of structures within the district. The replacement of original historic windows with modern vinyl materials was deemed inappropriate for the main structure. The board ultimately disapproved the application for the main building, upholding the guidelines that protect historic window materials and character-defining features.

Both contested items reflected the ongoing tension between property owners seeking modern materials for practical reasons and the board's responsibility to enforce historic preservation guidelines. The board consistently prioritized adherence to established standards over applicant preferences, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining the historic character of the district even when facing opposition from property owners.

Review minutes from November 15, 2017

The board reviewed the minutes from their previous meeting held on November 15, 2017. This agenda item served as an informational review of the prior meeting's proceedings.

No specific speakers were identified during this portion of the meeting, and no transcript timestamp was available for this discussion. The review appears to have been conducted as a routine administrative matter without significant debate or concerns raised by board members.

The outcome of this agenda item was informational, indicating that the minutes review was completed without requiring any formal action or amendments to the previously recorded proceedings.

Staff Approvals

The board reviewed various staff approvals for renovations and replacements in historic districts during this informational agenda item. This item provided an overview of projects that had been approved by staff under their administrative authority, allowing board members to stay informed about ongoing preservation activities in the community.

The discussion covered multiple renovation and replacement projects that had been processed through the staff approval process for properties located within designated historic districts. These types of approvals typically involve routine maintenance, minor alterations, or replacements that meet established guidelines and do not require full board review.

This agenda item served an informational purpose, allowing the board to maintain oversight of staff decisions while ensuring transparency in the approval process. No specific action was required from the board members, as these items had already been approved through the appropriate administrative channels.

The staff approval process helps streamline routine preservation matters while ensuring that more significant or complex projects receive full board consideration. This system allows staff to handle straightforward cases efficiently while maintaining the board's role in overseeing major preservation decisions that could impact the historic character of designated districts.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

The board reviewed various applications for certificates of appropriateness for construction and renovation projects located within historic districts. This agenda item served as an informational discussion regarding pending applications that require board approval before work can proceed on historically significant properties.

The applications under consideration involved construction and renovation projects that would affect the exterior appearance or structural elements of buildings within designated historic districts. Certificate of appropriateness applications are required to ensure that proposed changes maintain the historic character and architectural integrity of these protected areas.

During the discussion, board members examined the details of each application to determine whether the proposed work would be compatible with the historic nature of the surrounding district. The review process typically considers factors such as architectural style, materials, scale, and visual impact on the historic streetscape.

This agenda item was categorized as informational, indicating that the board was receiving updates on the status of applications or conducting preliminary discussions rather than making final approval decisions. The applications may have been in various stages of the review process, from initial submission to final consideration.

No specific concerns or detailed debates were documented for this portion of the meeting, suggesting the discussion focused on procedural matters or routine application reviews. The board's consideration of these applications demonstrates their ongoing responsibility to balance property owners' development needs with historic preservation requirements.

The certificate of appropriateness process serves as a critical tool for maintaining the historic character of designated districts while allowing for appropriate modifications and improvements to historic properties.