Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review convened on September 25, 2019, to review applications for architectural modifications within Lexington's historic districts and landmarks. The board considered 14 agenda items involving properties across multiple historic districts, including Ashland Park, Aylesford, Elsmere Park, Northside, Western Suburbs, Bell Court, South Hill, and Cadentown Historic Districts, as well as the Helm Place Historic Landmark.

The board approved nine applications for various improvements including fence and gate installations, tree removals, structural renovations, gutter replacements, window replacements, and a Certificate of Appropriateness re-issuance. Four items were designated as informational, covering projects such as window enclosures, shed additions, arbor construction, and detached garage construction. One application for a rear deck, stairs, greenhouse and patio at 1012-1014 Fincastle Road in the Ashland Park Historic District was postponed for future consideration.

No formal votes were recorded in the meeting data, and no public comments were documented during this session. The meeting focused primarily on routine architectural review matters affecting historic properties throughout the city's designated preservation areas.

212 Desha Road (Ashland Park Historic District): Install gate and fence.

The Board reviewed a staff-approved application for the installation of a gate and fence at 212 Desha Road, located within the Ashland Park Historic District.

Staff had previously reviewed and approved this project for the installation of new fencing and gate elements at the property. The application was presented to the Board as part of their regular review of historic district modifications.

The project involved adding perimeter fencing and a gate to the residential property, with the design and materials having been vetted by staff to ensure compliance with the historic district's preservation standards and guidelines.

No significant discussion or concerns were raised regarding this application during the meeting. The installation was approved as presented, allowing the property owner to proceed with the fence and gate installation as planned.

The approval demonstrates the routine nature of well-prepared applications that meet historic district requirements, with staff review helping to streamline the process for appropriate modifications to properties within designated historic areas.

320 Linden Walk (Aylesford Historic District): Remove 4 dying trees.

The Board reviewed agenda item 2 regarding the removal of four dying trees at 320 Linden Walk, located within the Aylesford Historic District. Staff had already approved this tree removal request prior to the Board meeting.

The application involved the removal of four trees that had been determined to be in declining health and posed potential safety concerns. As the property is situated within the Aylesford Historic District, the tree removal required review to ensure compliance with historic preservation guidelines.

Staff analysis concluded that the removal of the dying trees was necessary and appropriate for the historic district property. The deteriorating condition of the trees warranted their removal to maintain safety and the overall appearance of the historic neighborhood.

The Board accepted staff's recommendation and approved the tree removal at 320 Linden Walk. No significant discussion or concerns were raised regarding this application, as the dying condition of the trees made removal the appropriate course of action for both safety and aesthetic reasons within the historic district context.

368 Transylvania Park (Aylesford Historic District): Renovate structure.

The Board reviewed a proposal for renovating a structure located at 368 Transylvania Park within the Aylesford Historic District. This agenda item was presented as a discussion item regarding the proposed renovation work.

According to the meeting records, staff had already approved the renovation project for the structure at this address. The property is situated within the Aylesford Historic District, which requires special consideration for any modifications or renovations to maintain the historic character and integrity of the area.

The Board's review of this item resulted in approval of the renovation plans. No specific details were provided in the available records regarding the scope of the renovation work, the nature of the structure being renovated, or any particular design elements that were discussed during the meeting.

The approval indicates that the proposed renovation work was deemed appropriate for the historic district and met the necessary standards and requirements for properties within the Aylesford Historic District boundaries.

155 Woodland Avenue (Aylesford Historic District): Renovate structure

The Board reviewed a renovation project for the structure located at 155 Woodland Avenue within the Aylesford Historic District. This agenda item was presented as item 4 during the September 25, 2019 meeting.

Staff had previously approved the renovation plans for this property, which is situated in the historically significant Aylesford Historic District. The project involved renovating the existing structure at the address, though specific details about the scope of work, architectural changes, or materials were not detailed in the available meeting documentation.

The item was presented to the Board as a discussion item, indicating that the renovation had already received staff-level approval through the standard review process for properties within historic districts. Such approvals typically involve ensuring that proposed changes comply with historic preservation guidelines and maintain the character and integrity of the district.

The Board's consideration of this item resulted in approval of the renovation project. No specific concerns or objections were noted in the meeting record, suggesting the renovation plans were consistent with the district's historic preservation standards and requirements.

Properties within the Aylesford Historic District are subject to special review procedures to ensure that any modifications, renovations, or new construction are compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood. The staff approval process would have included evaluation of the proposed work against these established criteria before bringing the matter to the Board for final consideration.

The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the renovation work as submitted and reviewed by staff, maintaining compliance with the historic district regulations while enabling appropriate improvements to the structure.

2575 Bowman Mill Road (Helm Place Historic Landmark): Renovate structure.

The Board reviewed a staff-approved renovation project for a structure located at 2575 Bowman Mill Road within the Helm Place Historic Landmark district.

Staff had previously approved the renovation plans for this historic property, indicating the proposed work met the necessary preservation standards and requirements for structures within the designated historic landmark area. The Helm Place Historic Landmark designation provides special protections and review processes for alterations to ensure the historic character of the district is maintained.

The renovation project at 2575 Bowman Mill Road received Board approval, allowing the property owner to proceed with the planned structural improvements under the staff-approved specifications. The approval demonstrates the Board's support for maintaining and improving historic properties while preserving their architectural and historical significance within the Helm Place district.

607 Elsmere Park (Elsmere Park Historic District): Replace gutters and downspout

The Board reviewed a staff-approved application for the replacement of gutters and downspouts at 607 Elsmere Park, located within the Elsmere Park Historic District.

Staff had already approved this maintenance project, which involved replacing the existing gutters and downspouts on the historic property. The work was determined to be routine maintenance that met the district's preservation guidelines without requiring full Board review.

The application was approved as presented, allowing the property owner to proceed with the gutter and downspout replacement work at 607 Elsmere Park.

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

The Board reviewed agenda item 7 regarding the renovation of a structure located at 365 West Third Street within the Northside Historic District.

Staff presented their approval of the proposed renovation project for this historic property. The application involved modifications to the existing structure that required review under the historic district guidelines to ensure compliance with preservation standards.

The renovation project at 365 West Third Street was approved by staff prior to the Board meeting. No specific details were provided in the available materials regarding the scope of work, architectural changes, or particular preservation concerns that may have been addressed during the staff review process.

The Board accepted the staff's approval of this historic district renovation without recorded discussion or debate. No speakers were identified as participating in deliberations on this agenda item, and no concerns or objections were raised during the meeting.

The outcome was approval of the renovation project as recommended by staff, allowing the property owner to proceed with the proposed work at 365 West Third Street in accordance with the Northside Historic District requirements.

563 West Short Street (Western Suburbs Historic District): Re-issue COA.

The Board reviewed agenda item 8, concerning the re-issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for 563 West Short Street, located within the Western Suburbs Historic District.

Staff presented their approval of the re-issuance of the Certificate of Appropriateness for this property. The item was handled administratively by staff without requiring extensive Board discussion or debate.

No key speakers were identified for this agenda item, and no specific concerns or objections were raised during the meeting regarding this re-issuance.

The Certificate of Appropriateness re-issuance was approved as presented by staff.

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

606 West Short Street (Western Suburbs Historic District): Replace windows.

The Board reviewed a staff-approved application for window replacement at 606 West Short Street, located within the Western Suburbs Historic District. This item was presented as agenda item 9 during the September 25, 2019 meeting.

Staff had previously approved the replacement of windows at this historic district property. The application involved replacing existing windows at the residential structure, which required review due to the property's location within the designated historic district boundaries.

No specific concerns or objections were raised during the Board's consideration of this item. The staff approval was accepted by the Board without additional discussion or modification to the proposed window replacement project.

The outcome was approval of the window replacement project as presented by staff, allowing the property owner to proceed with the installation of new windows at 606 West Short Street in accordance with the approved specifications and historic district guidelines.

606 West Short Street (Western Suburbs Historic District): Enclose window in add

The Board reviewed an application for 606 West Short Street in the Western Suburbs Historic District to enclose a window in an existing addition to the property.

This agenda item was listed as item 1 on the meeting agenda and was categorized as a discussion item regarding the proposed modification to the historic property. The application specifically sought approval to enclose a window that is located in an addition to the main structure at 606 West Short Street.

The item was presented for informational purposes during the meeting, though specific details about the presentation, any concerns raised by Board members, or public comments were not captured in the available meeting documentation. No specific speakers were identified in the record for this agenda item.

As this was an informational item, no formal action or vote was taken by the Board during this meeting regarding the window enclosure application. The discussion served to inform Board members about the proposed work at this property within the Western Suburbs Historic District.

The Western Suburbs Historic District designation means that any exterior modifications to properties within the district boundaries require review and approval from the Board to ensure compatibility with the historic character of the neighborhood. Window modifications, including enclosures, are typically subject to design review standards that consider the impact on the building's historic appearance and the surrounding district.

262 Delmar Avenue (Bell Court Historic District): Construct shed addition to str

The Board reviewed an application for constructing a shed addition to a structure located at 262 Delmar Avenue within the Bell Court Historic District during their September 25, 2019 meeting.

This agenda item was listed as item number 2 on the meeting agenda and was categorized as a discussion item regarding the proposed construction project. The application involved plans to add a shed structure to the existing property at 262 Delmar Avenue.

The Bell Court Historic District designation means that any exterior modifications or additions to properties within this area require review and approval to ensure compatibility with the historic character of the neighborhood. Such reviews typically examine factors including the proposed addition's scale, materials, design, and visual impact on both the individual property and the surrounding historic district.

The agenda item was marked as informational in nature, indicating that the Board received and reviewed the application materials during this meeting. No specific speakers were identified in the meeting records for this particular item, and no transcript timestamps were available to reference the exact discussion period.

The outcome of this agenda item was listed as informational, suggesting that the Board may have been receiving initial information about the proposed project or conducting a preliminary review of the application materials. This type of informational presentation often occurs early in the review process before formal action is taken on historic district applications.

Further details about the specific design elements of the proposed shed addition, materials to be used, or the timeline for the project were not included in the available meeting documentation for this agenda item.

207 South Limestone (South Hill Historic District): Construct cedar arbor at front fence

The Board reviewed an application for constructing a cedar arbor at the front fence of 207 South Limestone, located within the South Hill Historic District. This agenda item was presented for discussion as part of the Board's review process for proposed modifications to historic properties.

The application involved plans to install a cedar arbor structure at the front fence line of the property. As a property within the South Hill Historic District, any exterior modifications require Board review to ensure compatibility with the historic character of the neighborhood and compliance with preservation guidelines.

Based on the available information, this item was presented for informational purposes during the meeting. The specific details of the proposed cedar arbor design, including dimensions, materials specifications, and placement relative to existing structures, were part of the application materials reviewed by the Board.

No specific concerns or extended debate regarding this application were documented in the meeting records. The item appears to have been handled as a routine review of proposed exterior modifications within the historic district.

The outcome of this agenda item was classified as informational, indicating that the Board received and reviewed the application materials for the proposed cedar arbor construction at 207 South Limestone. Further action on this application, if required, would be addressed through the Board's standard review and approval process for historic district modifications.

752 Caden Lane (Cadentown Historic District): Construct detached garage.

The Board reviewed an application for constructing a detached garage at 752 Caden Lane, located within the Cadentown Historic District. This agenda item was presented for informational purposes during the September 25, 2019 meeting.

The application involves the construction of a new detached garage structure on the property at 752 Caden Lane. As the property is situated within the Cadentown Historic District, any new construction or modifications require review to ensure compliance with historic preservation guidelines and district standards.

No specific transcript timing was available for this discussion item, and no key speakers were identified in the meeting records for this particular application. The item was categorized as informational, indicating it was presented to the Board for review and consideration rather than requiring an immediate decision or vote.

The outcome was recorded as informational, suggesting this may have been an initial presentation of the project or a status update on an ongoing application process. Further details about the specific design elements of the proposed garage, materials to be used, or any concerns raised by Board members were not captured in the available meeting data.

Given the location within a historic district, the application would typically need to demonstrate compatibility with the historic character of the neighborhood and compliance with relevant preservation standards before receiving approval to proceed with construction.

1012 – 1014 Fincastle Road: (Ashland Park Historic District): Construct rear deck, stairs, greenhouse and patio

The Board considered an application for construction of a rear deck, stairs, greenhouse, and patio at 1012 – 1014 Fincastle Road, located within the Ashland Park Historic District.

The agenda item was postponed without substantive discussion during the September 25, 2019 meeting. The Board scheduled the application to be reconsidered at their next meeting on October 9, 2019.

No details were provided regarding the specific design elements, materials, or scope of the proposed rear improvements during this meeting. The postponement suggests the application may have required additional review, documentation, or revisions before the Board could make a determination on the historic district appropriateness of the proposed construction.

Outcome: Postponed until October 9, 2019