Board of Architectural Review

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Board of Architectural Review convened on April 16, 2025, with Mr. Dickinson presiding over the meeting. The board addressed three agenda items during the session, covering a range of architectural review applications. Of the three items heard, two — the 232 East Belcourt Project and the 509 East Main Street Application — were continued, while the 115 Penmoken Park Addition was approved with conditions. Over the course of the meeting, the board took 3 votes and heard 2 public comments.

Attendance

All board members were present at the April 16, 2025 meeting. No members were absent or late.

Present: - Mr. Dickinson - Ms. Hill - Mr. Marquette - Ms. LaMoure - Mr. Taylor - Ms. Armstrong - Mr. Morris - Mr. Gibson - Mr. Berry

Votes and Decisions

The Board took action on three matters during the April 16, 2025 meeting.

• Postponement of 407 East High Street 2:54:16: The Board voted by voice to postpone the hearing for the property at 407 East High Street until May 21st. The motion passed without recorded individual vote counts.

• Continuation of 509 East Main Street 1:52:58: The Board voted by voice to continue the hearing for the property at 509 East Main Street to May 21st. The motion passed without recorded individual vote counts.

• Approval of Addition at 115 Penmoken Park 2:42:37: The Board voted to approve the proposed addition at 115 Penmoken Park, with the motion made by Ms. LaMoure. The motion passed with Mr. Dickinson, Ms. Hill, and Mr. Marquette voting in favor and one abstention recorded. No votes were cast against. Approval was granted subject to the following conditions:
• Submit final door and window specifications
• Construct according to the new drawings
• Submit details for the screened porch

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the Board during the public comment portions of the April 16, 2025 meeting.

• Marcy Deaton 1:43:28 raised concerns about bamboo planting that had been done without a root barrier. Deaton expressed worry that the bamboo could spread and negatively affect her property.

• John Rockaway 2:30:50 spoke in objection to a proposed addition at 115 Penmoken Park. Rockaway argued that the addition would change the character and feel of the neighborhood, and he noted that the project would specifically impact his daughter's property.

Contested Items

Two items on the April 16, 2025 Board meeting agenda drew notable opposition from community members.

Addition at 115 Penmoken Park

This item centered on a building addition that was constructed without the required permits. The unpermitted construction drew objections from neighboring residents, and the Board engaged in a complex discussion about how to proceed given the after-the-fact nature of the work. The absence of permits prior to construction was the core of the dispute, raising questions about compliance and the appropriate path forward. The structured data does not indicate a final resolution was reached at this meeting.

Vent System at 509 East Main Street

The second contested item involved a vent system installation at 509 East Main Street. Neighbors raised objections on the grounds that the installed vent system was larger than what had been approved. Because the completed work exceeded the scope of the original approval, the Board determined that further review would be necessary before the matter could be resolved.

Both items share a common thread: work that was completed in a manner inconsistent with what was permitted or approved, prompting community pushback and leaving both matters unresolved pending additional action.

232 East Belcourt Project

29:33

The Board took up a discussion item concerning the proposed construction of a second floor atop an existing one-story addition at 232 East Belcourt, along with other modifications to the property. Key speakers on this item included Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Taylor.

Staff presented a recommendation of disapproval for the proposed project. The discussion centered on the merits and concerns associated with adding a second floor to the existing one-story addition, though the specific details of the objections and any counterarguments raised by the applicant or Board members were addressed during the course of the debate.

The item was ultimately continued, meaning the Board did not reach a final decision at this meeting and the matter will be taken up again at a future session.

509 East Main Street Application

1:00:42

The Board took up the application for 509 East Main Street, which involved proposed changes to the property including a vent system and stucco-related issues. Key speakers during this discussion were Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Morris.

Staff presented a recommendation that included approval with conditions for certain aspects of the application while recommending disapproval for others. The discussion addressed the specifics of the vent system and stucco work proposed for the property, with the split staff recommendation indicating that at least some elements of the application raised concerns under the applicable review standards.

The item was ultimately continued by the Board, meaning no final decision was reached at this meeting and the matter will return for further consideration at a future session.

115 Penmoken Park Addition

2:03:38

The Board took up a discussion regarding an addition at 115 Penmoken Park that had been constructed without permits. Key speakers on this item were Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Berry.

The discussion centered on new drawings that had been submitted in connection with the unpermitted addition, as well as the conditions under which the Board might grant approval. The Board considered what requirements would need to be met to bring the addition into compliance.

The item was ultimately approved with conditions.