Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review held a meeting on November 13, 2019. The board addressed three main agenda items during the session, focusing on administrative matters and certificate of appropriateness applications.

The meeting began with the review and approval of the August 28, 2019 BOAR meeting minutes. Staff then provided an informational update on staff approvals that had been processed since the previous meeting. The primary business of the session involved reviewing Certificate of Appropriateness Applications, which were approved by the board.

Throughout the meeting, the board conducted eight votes on various matters before them. No public comments were received during the public comment period. The meeting concluded with all scheduled agenda items having been addressed, with the board approving the meeting minutes and the certificate of appropriateness applications presented for their consideration.

Attendance

The following Board members were present at the November 13, 2019 meeting:

• Greg Fitzsimmons
• R.J. Yosmik
• Brian Henderson
• Derek Hood
• Meredith Guy
• Stephanie Gilbert

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

Votes and Decisions

The Board approved seven certificates of appropriateness and postponed one item during the November 13, 2019 meeting. All approved items passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Approved Certificates of Appropriateness:

• 04600125-P125: Certificate of appropriateness for 125 Constitution Street passed with two standard conditions applied 0:00

• 04600129-M: Certificate of appropriateness for 129 Constitution Street passed with two standard conditions applied 0:00

• 05550212-B: Certificate of appropriateness for 212 Desha Road passed with conditions to remove muttons from windows and doors, plus two standard conditions 0:00

• 18790120-0: Certificate of appropriateness for 120 East Third Street passed with conditions requiring final door and window details to be submitted, plus two standard conditions 0:00

• 11670207-W: Certificate of appropriateness for 207 South Limestone passed with two standard conditions and no requirement to paint the arbor 0:00

• 16840431-C: Certificate of appropriateness for 431 West Second Street passed with conditions to resubmit drawings with a mix of glass, cementitious cladding, and opening 0:00

• 05550217-B: Installation of solar panels on the roof at 217 Desha Road passed with two standard conditions and requirement that any increase in height be reviewed 0:00

Postponed Item:

• Installation of solar panels in the rear yard at 217 Desha Road was postponed to December 11th 0:00

All votes were conducted by voice vote with no individual vote tallies recorded. The meeting materials do not identify which Board members made motions or provided seconds for the approved items.

Contested Items

The Board encountered two contested items during the November 13, 2019 meeting that required extended discussion and procedural adjustments.

Solar Panel Installation at 217 Desha Road

A procedural dispute arose regarding the proposed installation of ground solar panels at 217 Desha Road. The primary issue was that the applicant was not present at the meeting to formally withdraw the ground solar panel portion of their application. This absence created a procedural complication, as the Board could not proceed with reviewing that specific component of the project without the applicant's direct participation. As a result, the Board was forced to postpone consideration of the ground solar panel installation portion of the application until the applicant could be present to address the matter properly.

Vertical Circulation Tower Materials at 431 West Second Street

The second contested item involved a heated discussion about material selection for a vertical circulation tower at 431 West Second Street. The central disagreement focused on whether to use glass or alternative materials for the vertical band element of the structure. Board members engaged in detailed debate about how different material choices would impact the historic character of the area. The discussion centered on balancing modern functional requirements with the need to maintain the architectural integrity and historic authenticity of the surrounding neighborhood. The nature of the materials debate suggests that Board members had differing opinions on what would be most appropriate for preserving the historic context while accommodating the proposed vertical circulation element.

Both contested items highlight common challenges faced by historic preservation boards: procedural requirements that must be met for proper consideration of applications, and the ongoing tension between modern building needs and historic preservation standards.

Review of August 28, 2019 BOAR meeting minutes

0:00 The Board reviewed the minutes from their August 28, 2019 meeting as part of the standard approval process for previous meeting records.

The minutes were presented to the Board for their consideration and approval. No specific speakers were identified during this agenda item, and no significant discussion or debate was recorded regarding the content of the August 28, 2019 meeting minutes.

The Board approved the August 28, 2019 BOAR meeting minutes without noted objections or amendments.

Staff Approvals

0:00

The Board reviewed 22 staff approvals that had been processed for various renovations and installations within historic districts. This agenda item served as an informational update to keep Board members informed of preservation activities that staff had approved under their delegated authority.

The staff approvals covered a range of routine maintenance and improvement projects that met established guidelines and did not require full Board review. These types of approvals typically include minor repairs, installations, and renovations that are consistent with historic preservation standards and do not significantly alter the character of historic properties or districts.

No specific details were provided about individual projects or locations during this portion of the meeting. The item was presented as a summary count of approvals processed by staff, allowing the Board to maintain oversight of preservation activities while enabling efficient processing of routine applications.

This informational item required no Board action, as the approvals had already been granted by staff operating under their established authority. The presentation served to maintain transparency and keep Board members apprised of the volume and types of preservation work being approved throughout the jurisdiction's historic districts.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

0:00 The Board reviewed several applications for certificates of appropriateness for construction and renovation projects within historic districts during the November 13, 2019 meeting.

Key participants in the discussion included Greg Fitzsimmons, R.J. Yosmik, Brian Henderson, Derek Hood, Meredith Guy, and Stephanie Gilbert, who presented various aspects of the applications under consideration.

The board examined multiple projects requiring approval for work in historically designated areas. Each application was evaluated based on the proposed construction or renovation plans and their compatibility with the historic character of the respective districts.

During the review process, board members discussed the merits of each application, considering factors such as architectural appropriateness, historical significance, and compliance with established preservation guidelines. The speakers provided detailed information about the proposed projects and addressed any questions or concerns raised by board members.

Following thorough deliberation of all submitted applications, the board voted to approve the certificates of appropriateness. This approval allows the applicants to proceed with their proposed construction and renovation work in accordance with the reviewed plans and any conditions specified by the board.

The approval of these certificates demonstrates the board's commitment to balancing property owners' development needs with the preservation of historic district character and integrity.