Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review convened on September 15, 2021. The board addressed two main agenda items during the session, both of which were approved by the end of the meeting.

The board began by reviewing and approving the minutes from their April 21, 2021 meeting. The primary business of the session focused on Certificate of Appropriateness Applications, which were also approved. Throughout the meeting, the board conducted a total of 8 votes on various matters related to these agenda items.

No members of the public provided comments during the meeting's public comment period. The session concluded with both agenda items receiving approval from the board members.

Attendance

The following members were present at the September 15, 2021 meeting:

• Michael Breeding
• Barbara Hussey
• Jeff Covark
• Raymond Hill
• Baron Gibson
• Zack Ramsey
• Naily Ramsey

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

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included eight certificate of appropriateness applications, all of which were approved through voice votes.

303 Madison Place 10:00 - The motion for approval was seconded by Sarah and passed unanimously with 5 ayes and 0 nays. The approval included two standard conditions as noted.

324 Madison Place 15:00 - The certificate of appropriateness was approved unanimously with 5 ayes and 0 nays. The approval included two standard conditions as noted.

236 Barberry Lane 20:00 - Approved unanimously with 5 ayes and 0 nays. The approval included specific conditions requiring the applicant to move the garage ten feet to the south to five feet from the property line, provide door and window details and specifications to staff for review and approval prior to the issuance of the COA, and comply with two standard conditions.

400 North Limestone 25:00 - Passed unanimously with 5 ayes and 0 nays. The approval required the applicant to submit door specifications to staff for review and approval prior to the issuance of the COA, along with two standard conditions.

645 Elsmere Park 30:00 - Approved unanimously with 5 ayes and 0 nays, subject to two standard conditions as noted.

416 Fayette Park 35:00 - Passed unanimously with 5 ayes and 0 nays, with two standard conditions as noted.

256 Bell Place 40:00 - Approved unanimously with 5 ayes and 0 nays, subject to two standard conditions as noted.

293 South Ashland Avenue 45:00 - This application received the only non-unanimous vote of the meeting, passing with 4 ayes and 1 nay. The approval required the applicant to submit a detailed plan with a gate shown at the sidewalk and landscaping placement.

Contested Items

The board encountered one contested matter during the September 15, 2021 meeting that resulted in a split vote among members.

Fence Installation at 293 South Ashland Avenue

The primary point of contention involved a proposal for fence installation at 293 South Ashland Avenue. Board members were divided on whether to approve the installation, leading to a split vote rather than unanimous approval.

The central concern raised during deliberations focused on maintaining the open landscape characteristic that defines the neighborhood's visual identity. Some board members expressed reservations that the proposed fence could compromise this established aesthetic standard that contributes to the area's overall character.

The disagreement highlighted differing perspectives among board members regarding the balance between individual property owners' rights to install fencing and the community's interest in preserving consistent neighborhood design standards. While specific vote tallies and individual board member positions were not detailed in the available materials, the split nature of the vote indicates significant division on the matter.

The outcome of this contested vote was not specified in the provided information, leaving unclear whether the fence installation proposal was ultimately approved or denied. This fence installation debate represents the type of land use and aesthetic consideration that frequently generates discussion in municipal planning and zoning contexts, where individual property modifications must be weighed against broader community design objectives.

Review of minutes from April 21, 2021

50:00

The board conducted a review of the minutes from their April 21, 2021 meeting. The minutes were presented for approval as part of the standard meeting procedures.

The board members reviewed the documentation from the previous meeting without any recorded discussion or debate regarding the content. No concerns were raised about the accuracy or completeness of the minutes as presented.

Following the review, the board approved the minutes from the April 21, 2021 meeting.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

5:00

The board reviewed multiple applications for certificates of appropriateness involving renovations, demolitions, and construction projects within historic districts. The discussion included presentations and deliberations on various property modifications requiring approval under historic preservation guidelines.

Key participants in the review process included board members Michael Breeding, Barbara Hussey, Jeff Covark, and Raymond Hill. Property owners and representatives Baron Gibson, Zack Ramsey, and Naily Ramsey also participated in the proceedings, likely presenting details about their respective projects and responding to board inquiries.

The applications covered a range of work types including renovations to existing historic structures, proposed demolitions, and new construction projects within designated historic areas. Each application required board evaluation to ensure compliance with established historic preservation standards and district guidelines.

During the review process, board members examined the proposed work against criteria designed to maintain the historic character and integrity of the districts. The discussion involved technical aspects of the projects and their potential impact on the historic properties and surrounding areas.

Following deliberation on the various applications presented, the board approved the certificates of appropriateness. This outcome indicates that the proposed work met the necessary standards for historic preservation and was deemed appropriate for the respective historic districts.

The approval of these certificates allows the property owners to proceed with their planned renovations, demolitions, and construction projects while ensuring compliance with local historic preservation requirements.