Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review held a teleconference meeting on April 21, 2021. The board considered seven agenda items, all involving applications for certificates of appropriateness for various properties throughout the city. During the meeting, the board took seven votes and heard one public comment.

The board approved certificates of appropriateness for six properties: 715 West Short Street, 609 West Short Street, 148 Rosemont Garden, 312 North Limestone, 600 Sayre Avenue, and 466 West Third Street. However, the board denied the certificate of appropriateness application for 347 Oldham Avenue. All agenda items involved architectural review decisions for properties seeking approval for proposed changes or improvements that require board oversight under local historic preservation guidelines.

Attendance

The following members were present for the meeting on April 21, 2021:

• Mr. Chair
• Miss Hill
• Mr. Gilpin
• Miss Irwin
• Miss Armstrong
• Miss Kerr

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

Votes and Decisions

The board considered seven certificates of appropriateness during the meeting, approving six applications and denying one.

715 West Short Street 10:00 - Miss Hill motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness, seconded by Josh. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (4-0) with Mr. Chair, Miss Hill, Mr. Gilpin, and Miss Irwin voting in favor. The approval was subject to standard conditions.

609 West Short Street 20:00 - Miss Hill motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness, seconded by Mr. Gilpin. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (4-0) with all four board members voting in favor. The approval was subject to standard conditions.

148 Rosemont Garden 30:00 - Mr. Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (4-0) with all board members voting in favor. The approval was subject to standard conditions.

312 North Limestone 40:00 - Mr. Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (4-0) with all board members voting in favor. The approval was subject to standard conditions.

600 Sayre Avenue 50:00 - Mr. Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote (4-0) with all board members voting in favor. The approval was subject to standard conditions.

466 West Third Street 60:00 - Mr. Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness. The motion passed by voice vote (3-0-1) with Miss Hill, Mr. Gilpin, and Miss Irwin voting in favor and one abstention. The approval was subject to standard conditions.

347 Oldham Avenue 70:00 - Miss Hill motioned to deny the certificate of appropriateness, seconded by Miss Irwin. The motion failed by voice vote (3-1) with Mr. Chair, Miss Hill, and Mr. Gilpin voting in favor of denial and Miss Irwin voting against the denial motion.

Public Comment

During the public comment period, one community member addressed the board regarding a local demolition project.

Melvin Cosby spoke about the planned demolition of a garage located at 233 Kentucky Avenue 120:00. Cosby expressed concern about the demolition, arguing that the structure could be shored up rather than torn down. He emphasized that the garage is an important part of the neighborhood's character and should be preserved.

The public comment period provided an opportunity for community input on matters affecting local properties and neighborhood preservation.

Contested Items

Two significant issues generated debate during the April 21, 2021 meeting, both involving property modifications in the historic district.

Vinyl Siding Installation at 347 Oldham Avenue

The board engaged in a heated discussion regarding unauthorized vinyl siding installation at 347 Oldham Avenue. The property owner had proceeded with the siding work without obtaining the required certificate of appropriateness, which violates the established historic district guidelines. Board members emphasized that all exterior modifications in the historic district must receive prior approval to ensure compliance with preservation standards. The discussion centered on the procedural violation and the need to address non-compliant work that had already been completed.

Garage Demolition at 233 Kentucky Avenue

Community opposition emerged regarding the proposed demolition of a garage at 233 Kentucky Avenue. A community member attended the meeting to voice concerns about the demolition plans, arguing that the structure could be rehabilitated rather than demolished. The resident emphasized that the garage contributes to the neighborhood's historic character and suggested that shoring up the existing structure would be preferable to complete removal. This opposition highlighted the ongoing tension between property maintenance costs and historic preservation goals, with community members advocating for retention of contributing structures even when they require significant repair work.

Both contested items reflect common challenges faced by historic preservation boards: enforcement of approval processes for property modifications and balancing property owners' practical needs with community preservation interests. The discussions demonstrate the board's role in maintaining historic district integrity while addressing real-world property maintenance and improvement situations.

Approval of certificate of appropriateness for 715 West Short Street

10:00

The board reviewed an application for a certificate of appropriateness for 715 West Short Street, specifically regarding the installation of solar panels on the rear addition of the property.

Miss Hill and Mr. Chair were the primary speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The application focused on adding solar panels to the back portion of the building, which would not be visible from the street-facing facade.

The board ultimately approved the certificate of appropriateness for the solar panel installation at 715 West Short Street. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the proposed solar panel project on the rear addition of the building.

Approval of certificate of appropriateness for 609 West Short Street

20:00

The board reviewed an application for a certificate of appropriateness for 609 West Short Street regarding the installation of solar panels on a garage roof. Miss Hill and Mr. Chair were the primary speakers during the discussion of this agenda item.

The application centered on plans to install solar panels specifically on the garage structure at the property. The board examined the proposal as part of their standard review process for modifications to properties within their jurisdiction.

Following their discussion and review of the application materials, the board voted to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the solar panel installation project at 609 West Short Street. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with installing the solar panels on the garage roof as proposed in their application.

Approval of certificate of appropriateness for 148 Rosemont Garden

30:00

The board reviewed an application for a certificate of appropriateness for 148 Rosemont Garden, with the discussion focusing on the construction of a handicap ramp at the property.

Mr. Chair led the discussion of this agenda item, which was identified as item 3 on the meeting agenda. The application centered on proposed accessibility improvements to the residence through the installation of a handicap ramp.

The board ultimately approved the certificate of appropriateness for the handicap ramp construction at 148 Rosemont Garden. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the accessibility modifications as proposed in their application.

Approval of certificate of appropriateness for 312 North Limestone

40:00

The board reviewed agenda item 4, an application for a certificate of appropriateness for 312 North Limestone. The discussion centered on a proposal to install a new sign at the property.

Mr. Chair led the discussion of the application. The board examined the details of the proposed signage installation, though specific design elements and dimensions were not detailed in the available materials.

The application proceeded through the standard review process for certificates of appropriateness, which evaluate whether proposed changes to properties are consistent with applicable design guidelines and preservation standards.

Following their review and discussion, the board approved the certificate of appropriateness for 312 North Limestone, allowing the applicant to proceed with the installation of the new sign as proposed.

Approval of certificate of appropriateness for 600 Sayre Avenue

50:00 The board reviewed an application for a certificate of appropriateness for construction of a rear addition at 600 Sayre Avenue. Mr. Chair led the discussion of this agenda item.

The application involved plans for constructing a rear addition to the existing structure at the property. The board examined the proposed construction details and assessed whether the addition would meet the appropriate standards for the area.

Following their review and discussion of the application materials, the board voted to approve the certificate of appropriateness for the rear addition project at 600 Sayre Avenue. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the construction as proposed in their application.

Approval of certificate of appropriateness for 466 West Third Street

60:00

The board reviewed agenda item 6, an application for a certificate of appropriateness for 466 West Third Street. The proposal involved constructing a conservatory, patio, pool, and additional landscaping at the property.

Mr. Chair led the discussion of the application. The board examined the proposed construction plans, which included multiple outdoor improvements designed to enhance the property while maintaining compliance with local historic preservation guidelines.

The application encompassed several components: • Construction of a conservatory structure • Installation of a new patio area • Addition of a swimming pool • Implementation of additional landscaping elements

Following their review and discussion of the proposal, the board voted to approve the certificate of appropriateness for 466 West Third Street. The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the planned conservatory, patio, pool, and landscaping improvements as submitted in their application.

Denial of certificate of appropriateness for 347 Oldham Avenue

70:00

The board reviewed agenda item 7, an application for a certificate of appropriateness for 347 Oldham Avenue involving the installation of vinyl siding. The application was submitted after the vinyl siding had already been installed on the property without prior approval from the board.

Miss Hill and Mr. Chair were the primary speakers during the discussion of this agenda item. The board examined the unauthorized installation and considered whether to grant retroactive approval for the vinyl siding work that had been completed.

Following their review and discussion, the board denied the certificate of appropriateness application for 347 Oldham Avenue. The denial means the property owner will need to address the non-compliant vinyl siding installation, as it does not meet the standards required for properties under the board's jurisdiction.

The case highlights the importance of obtaining proper certificates of appropriateness before beginning exterior modifications to properties within the board's oversight area.