Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review held a meeting on January 18, 2023. The board considered four Certificate of Appropriateness applications for various properties throughout the city. During the session, the board took four votes on motions related to these applications and heard one public comment. Three of the four certificate applications were approved, including projects at 324 Aylesford Place, 530 East High Street, and 153 Penmoken Park, while the application for 606 West Short Street was denied.

Votes and Decisions

The board took action on four Certificate of Appropriateness applications during the meeting, with three approvals and one denial.

324 Aylesford Place 0:00 The Chair motioned to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 324 Aylesford Place with standard conditions as read into the record. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

530 East High Street 0:00 The Chair motioned to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 530 East High Street with specific conditions related to design solutions, landscaping, and dumpster location. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

153 Penmoken Park 0:00 The Chair motioned to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 153 Penmoken Park with conditions requiring the parking area to be reduced to two spaces, landscaping to be added, and excess concrete to be removed. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

606 West Short Street 0:00 A motion was made to deny the Certificate of Appropriateness for 606 West Short Street. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote, with no conditions attached due to the denial.

All votes were conducted by voice vote rather than roll call, so individual member votes were not recorded. The specific names of the members who seconded the motions were not captured in the meeting record.

Public Comment

0:00 Jerry Gillespie addressed the board regarding concerns about 153 Penmoken Park paving. Gillespie expressed concern about the property owner's disregard for historic district rules and suggested that penalties should be imposed or the unauthorized paving should be removed.

The comment focused on what appears to be a violation of historic district regulations, with Gillespie advocating for enforcement action to address the unauthorized work that had been completed at the property.

Contested Items

The January 18, 2023 meeting featured two contested items that generated significant discussion and disagreement among board members and community participants.

530 East High Street Certificate of Appropriateness

The board experienced a split vote regarding the Certificate of Appropriateness application for 530 East High Street. The primary points of contention centered on specific conditions related to tree removal and dumpster location requirements. Board members were divided on the appropriate restrictions to impose on these aspects of the proposed project, leading to extended deliberation before reaching a final decision on the application's approval conditions.

153 Penmoken Park Unauthorized Paving

The unauthorized paving at 153 Penmoken Park drew strong community opposition during the meeting. Multiple community members spoke against the unpermitted work and called for strict enforcement of historic district regulations. Residents expressed concerns that allowing the unauthorized paving to remain would set a problematic precedent for future violations within the historic district. The community members specifically requested that the board take enforcement action to ensure compliance with established historic preservation rules and standards.

Both contested items highlighted ongoing tensions between development pressures and historic preservation goals, with community members actively participating in the discussion to voice their concerns about maintaining the integrity of the historic district's character and regulations.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 324 Aylesford Place

0:00 The board reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 324 Aylesford Place involving the construction of a rear gable and dormer addition to the existing structure.

The Chair led the discussion of this agenda item, though specific details of the presentation and deliberation were not captured in the available meeting materials. The application centered on proposed modifications to the rear portion of the property, specifically the addition of architectural elements that would alter the building's existing roofline and structure.

The board ultimately approved the Certificate of Appropriateness for the project, though the approval came with attached conditions. The specific nature of these conditions was not detailed in the available documentation, but such conditions typically relate to materials, design specifications, construction methods, or other requirements to ensure compliance with historic preservation standards.

The approval allows the property owner to proceed with the rear gable and dormer construction project at 324 Aylesford Place, subject to meeting the stipulated conditions set forth by the board.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 530 East High Street

0:00

The board discussed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 530 East High Street involving the renovation of an existing church and construction of a three-story apartment building. The Chair and Jay Copley were the primary speakers during this agenda item.

The project encompasses both the restoration of the current church structure and the addition of new residential units in a multi-story building. The discussion focused on ensuring the proposed development would be appropriate for the historic character of the area while meeting contemporary housing needs.

The board reviewed the architectural plans and design elements to verify compliance with local historic preservation guidelines and zoning requirements. The three-story apartment building component required particular attention to ensure it would complement the existing church structure and surrounding neighborhood context.

Following their review and discussion of the proposal, the board approved the Certificate of Appropriateness with conditions. These conditions were established to ensure the project proceeds in a manner that preserves the historic integrity of the site while allowing for the planned residential development.

The approval allows the applicant to move forward with both the church renovation and apartment building construction, subject to meeting the specified conditions outlined by the board during their deliberations.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 153 Penmoken Park

0:00

The board reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 153 Penmoken Park regarding unauthorized paving work that had been completed on the property. The discussion centered on addressing the unpermitted improvements and establishing conditions for compliance.

Key speakers included the Chair and Jerry Gillespie, who participated in the deliberations about how to handle the situation. The primary issues discussed were the unauthorized nature of the paving work and the need to establish appropriate remedial measures.

The board focused on developing conditions that would require the property owner to reduce the number of parking spaces that had been created through the unauthorized paving. Additionally, the conditions would mandate the addition of landscaping elements to improve the visual impact and compliance with district standards.

The discussion addressed both the enforcement aspect of dealing with work completed without proper approval and the practical steps needed to bring the property into compliance with historic district requirements. The board considered how to balance the existing improvements with the need to maintain appropriate standards for the historic area.

After deliberation, the board approved the Certificate of Appropriateness with the specified conditions requiring parking space reduction and additional landscaping. This approval provided a path forward for the property owner to achieve compliance while addressing the concerns about the unauthorized work that had been completed.

The decision established clear requirements for modifications to the existing paving and the implementation of landscaping improvements to meet the district's standards for appropriate development within the historic area.

Certificate of Appropriateness for 606 West Short Street

0:00 The commission reviewed a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 606 West Short Street involving a proposal to increase the height of a previously approved garage structure.

Charles Williams presented the request to modify the garage design that had received prior approval from the commission. The specific proposal sought to increase the height of the garage beyond what was originally permitted in the earlier certificate of appropriateness.

During the discussion, the Chair and other commission members evaluated the proposed height increase against the applicable design standards and guidelines for the historic district. The commission considered how the modified garage height would impact the character and visual compatibility of the structure within the surrounding historic neighborhood context.

After reviewing the proposal and hearing the presentation, the commission determined that the increased height did not meet the appropriate standards for the historic district. The application was denied, meaning the property owner must proceed with the garage construction according to the previously approved specifications or submit a revised proposal that better aligns with the commission's guidelines.

The denial indicates that the commission found the proposed height increase would be inappropriate for the historic character of the area or would create compatibility issues with neighboring structures. Property owners seeking certificates of appropriateness must demonstrate that their proposed changes are consistent with the historic preservation standards that govern modifications within the district.