Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review convened on September 1, 2021, with the Chair presiding over the session. The meeting addressed four main agenda items, including a review of minutes from the April 21, 2021 meeting, staff approvals, Certificate of Appropriateness applications, and conceptual review items. During the course of the meeting, the board conducted seven motions and votes on various matters before them. The board also heard one public comment from a community member. All agenda items were handled as informational items, suggesting the meeting focused primarily on updates, reviews, and preliminary discussions rather than final decision-making on specific projects.

Votes and Decisions

The commission took action on seven certificate of appropriateness applications during the meeting, approving six and denying one.

Approved Applications:

• 258 Bell Place 1:00 - The Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness with conditions requiring a landscape plan to be submitted to staff prior to issuance of the COA. The motion passed by voice vote.

• 313 Dantzler Court 2:00 - The Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness with standard two conditions. The motion passed by voice vote.

• 162 Suburban Court 3:00 - The Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness with conditions requiring the owner to provide door and window details to staff. The motion passed by voice vote.

• 121 West Maxwell 4:00 - The Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness with standard two conditions. The motion passed by voice vote.

• 521 East Main Street 5:00 - The Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness with conditions requiring the sign to be 20-30% smaller and rectangular. The motion passed by voice vote.

• 449 West Third Street 6:00 - The Chair motioned to approve the certificate of appropriateness with standard two conditions. The motion passed by voice vote.

Denied Application:

• 133 Goodrich Avenue 7:00 - The Chair motioned to deny the certificate of appropriateness for painting. The motion failed by voice vote, effectively denying the application.

All votes were conducted by voice vote with seconds provided by unidentified commission members. Specific vote counts and individual member positions were not recorded in the available data.

Public Comment

The public comment period included one speaker who addressed the board regarding a historic preservation matter 8:00.

An unnamed resident spoke about the proposed chimney removal at 449 West Third Street. The resident expressed concern that removing the chimney would detract from the historic character of the house. No additional details about the resident's specific objections or alternative suggestions were provided in the available meeting materials.

No other members of the public provided comments during this portion of the meeting.

Contested Items

Two items generated significant discussion and opposition during the September 1, 2021 meeting.

Signage at 521 East Main Street

A heated discussion emerged regarding a proposed sign at 521 East Main Street. The primary concern centered on the size and shape of the proposed signage, with participants expressing that the sign would be too large for a residential structure. The debate focused on whether the proposed dimensions were appropriate for the residential character of the location and surrounding neighborhood.

Chimney Removal at 449 West Third Street

Community opposition arose regarding a proposal to remove a chimney at 449 West Third Street. A resident spoke against the chimney removal, raising concerns about preserving the historic character of the house. The resident argued that removing the chimney would negatively impact the historical integrity of the structure.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps, participant names, and final outcomes for these contested items were not available in the provided meeting materials.*

Review of minutes from April 21, 2021

The board conducted a review of the minutes from their previous meeting held on April 21, 2021. This agenda item served as an informational discussion to ensure accuracy and completeness of the official record from the earlier session.

The review process allowed board members to examine the documented proceedings, decisions, and discussions from the April meeting. This standard procedural item provides an opportunity for corrections, clarifications, or additions to be made to the official minutes before final approval.

No specific speakers were identified during this review process, and no transcript timestamp was available for this portion of the meeting. The item was categorized as informational, indicating that the review served its intended purpose of maintaining accurate meeting records without requiring additional action or formal votes at this time.

Staff Approvals

The board reviewed various staff approvals for renovations and replacements in different historic districts during this agenda item. This was an informational discussion where board members were updated on recent administrative decisions made by staff regarding historic preservation matters.

The staff approvals covered a range of projects including renovations and replacements that had been processed through the administrative review process. 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 as a regular update to keep board members informed of ongoing preservation activities within the various historic districts under their jurisdiction. The discussion was informational in nature, allowing board members to stay current on staff-level decisions while maintaining oversight of the administrative approval process.

No specific concerns were raised during this review, and the item concluded as an informational update without requiring any formal board action or votes.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

The board reviewed various applications for certificates of appropriateness during agenda item 3, which covered both renovation projects and new construction proposals within the historic district.

The discussion focused on evaluating proposed changes to historic properties to ensure compliance with preservation standards and design guidelines. Board members examined applications for exterior modifications, additions, and new construction projects that required approval before work could proceed.

While specific details of individual applications were not captured in the available materials, this agenda item represents the board's regular review process for property modifications in historically designated areas. Certificate of appropriateness applications typically involve assessment of proposed changes against established historic preservation criteria, including compatibility with existing architecture, materials selection, and overall impact on the historic character of the district.

The item was classified as informational, indicating the board received updates on pending applications or conducted preliminary reviews without taking final action on specific proposals. This type of agenda item allows board members to stay informed about ongoing preservation activities and upcoming decisions requiring formal votes.

No specific speakers were identified for this discussion, and no transcript timestamps were available for this portion of the meeting. The board's consideration of these applications demonstrates the ongoing work of historic preservation oversight and the regulatory process property owners must navigate when making changes to buildings within historic districts.

Conceptual Review

9:00 The board conducted a conceptual review for a proposed new construction project at 792 Caden Lane during agenda item 4.

MISS Wilson served as the key speaker for this discussion item, presenting details about the proposed development to the board members for their initial consideration.

The conceptual review process allows the board to examine preliminary plans and provide early feedback before formal applications are submitted. This agenda item was designated as a discussion item, providing an opportunity for board members to ask questions and offer guidance on the project's direction.

The session was informational in nature, with no formal decisions or votes taken during this preliminary review phase. The conceptual review serves as an important step in the development process, allowing both the applicant and the board to identify potential issues or concerns early in the planning stages.

No specific details about the nature of the proposed construction, project scope, or board member concerns were captured in the available meeting data. The review represents the initial stage of what may become a more detailed application process for the 792 Caden Lane property.