Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review convened on November 15, 2023, at 101 East Vine Street, Room 220, with MR. CHAIRMAN presiding over the session. The board addressed six agenda items during the meeting, with five projects receiving approval and one being deferred for future consideration. The approved projects included a diverse range of architectural modifications and new construction, spanning roof replacements, building additions, solar panel installations, garage reconstruction, and parking construction across various residential properties in the city.

Throughout the meeting, the board conducted nine motions and votes as they deliberated on the proposed architectural changes and construction projects. No public comments were recorded during this session, indicating that the proceedings focused primarily on board discussion and decision-making regarding the submitted applications. The meeting demonstrated the board's active role in reviewing and approving residential improvements and modifications, with the majority of projects meeting the necessary architectural and zoning requirements for approval.

Votes and Decisions

The meeting included nine votes, all conducted by voice vote and all passing unanimously.

Certificate of Appropriateness Approvals:

• 04150266-f: Approved certificate of appropriateness for 266 Clay Avenue with two standard conditions

• 12260631-h: Approved certificate of appropriateness for 631 East Main Street with two standard conditions

• 10950107: Approved certificate of appropriateness for 107 Lackawanna Road with one nonstandard condition and two standard conditions

• 00710211-j: Approved certificate of appropriateness for 211 South Ashland Avenue with two standard conditions

• 12680716-I: Approved certificate of appropriateness for 716 West Maxwell Street with multiple conditions as read into the record

Postponement:

• Postponed consideration of 324 Aylesford Place to December 13, 2023

Administrative Items:

• Approved the minutes for October 18, 2023

• Approved the 2024 meeting schedule

• Approved adjournment of the meeting

All votes were conducted by voice vote with no recorded opposition or abstentions. The meeting data does not include specific vote counts, individual voting records, or the names of members who made or seconded the motions. Transcript timestamps were not available in the source materials for any of the votes.

324 Aylesford Place: Construct parking

The committee considered an application for constructing parking at 324 Aylesford Place during their November 15, 2023 meeting. However, the discussion was limited due to the applicant's absence from the proceedings.

The primary issue identified during the review centered on concerns regarding the recommendation to use permeable paving as part of the parking construction project. Committee members raised questions about this aspect of the proposal, though specific details of their concerns were not elaborated upon in the available materials.

Without the applicant present to address questions or provide clarification on the permeable paving recommendation and other potential aspects of the parking construction project, the committee was unable to proceed with a thorough evaluation of the application.

Given these circumstances, the committee decided to defer consideration of the 324 Aylesford Place parking construction application. This deferral will allow the applicant an opportunity to attend a future meeting to present their proposal and respond to the committee's concerns about the permeable paving recommendation and any other technical or procedural questions that may arise.

The deferral ensures that the committee can make an informed decision on the parking construction project once they have the opportunity to engage directly with the applicant and receive clarification on the outstanding issues identified during this preliminary review.

266 Clay Avenue: Replace roof structure

The board reviewed an application for roof structure replacement at 266 Clay Avenue. Prior to the meeting, the applicant had received staff recommendations and agreed to comply with them via email correspondence.

The application proceeded without extensive discussion, as the applicant's advance agreement to the recommended conditions streamlined the review process. The board found the proposal acceptable as modified by the staff recommendations.

The board approved the application with two standard conditions attached. The specific details of these conditions were not elaborated upon during the meeting discussion, but they represent typical requirements for this type of construction work.

Outcome: Approved with two standard conditions

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

631 East Main Street: Construct addition

The board reviewed an application for a construction addition at 631 East Main Street during agenda item 3. Julie Cashman served as the key speaker for this discussion.

The application proceeded smoothly with minimal debate. The applicant agreed to accept the board's standard two conditions that are typically applied to construction projects of this nature. The specific details of these conditions were not elaborated upon in the available meeting materials.

Following the applicant's acceptance of the standard conditions, the board moved to approve the application without further discussion or concerns raised by board members.

Outcome: The application was approved.

107 Lackawanna Road: Install solar panels on garage

The board reviewed an application to install solar panels on a garage at 107 Lackawanna Road. The applicant was not present at the meeting, but had previously agreed to comply with the board's recommendations.

The application included a nonstandard condition regarding roof height requirements. Despite the applicant's absence, the board proceeded with the review based on the prior agreement to accept the recommended conditions.

The board approved the solar panel installation application, with the applicant having already consented to the specified conditions, including the nonstandard roof height provision.

211 South Ashland Avenue: Demolish garage, construct garage

The board reviewed an application for 211 South Ashland Avenue to demolish an existing garage and construct a new garage structure. Tom Burke served as the key speaker for this agenda item.

The discussion was brief and straightforward, with the applicant agreeing to comply with the board's standard two conditions for approval. No significant concerns or objections were raised during the review process.

The board voted to approve the application for the garage demolition and reconstruction project at 211 South Ashland Avenue. The approval was granted contingent upon the applicant meeting the two standard conditions that were agreed to during the meeting.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps are not available for this agenda item.*

716 West Maxwell Street: Construct parking

The commission reviewed a proposal to construct parking at 716 West Maxwell Street during agenda item 6. The application underwent discussion regarding the scope and design of the proposed parking facility.

During the review process, the applicant agreed to several conditions to address concerns raised about the project. Key modifications included:

• Reducing the total number of parking spots from the original proposal
• Implementing grassy pavers in the parking area design to improve environmental impact and stormwater management

The use of grassy pavers represents a more sustainable approach to parking construction, allowing for better water infiltration and reducing the overall impervious surface area of the development.

The commission ultimately approved the parking construction project with the agreed-upon conditions. The approval indicates that the modified proposal met the necessary requirements and addressed any initial concerns about the development's impact on the surrounding area.

The project at 716 West Maxwell Street will proceed with the reduced parking capacity and environmentally conscious paving materials as stipulated in the approval conditions.