21:35The most notable decision of the meeting revolved around the demolition application for a property on Summit Avenue. The building, a contributing element to the Sherman Place residential historic district, was evaluated for its historical significance and integrity. Despite some diminished integrity from over time, staff emphasized its overall contribution to the district’s historic character. They presented a memo detailing the building’s retained integrity in aspects such as location, setting, design, feeling, and association. Historical evidence, including a 1938 tax card photo, highlighted the building’s original features that were obscured by later additions, such as aluminum siding. Staff argued that the demolition would adversely affect the historic row of properties, leading to their recommendation to prepare a resolution to deny the application. The commission agreed and unanimously voted to deny the demolition.

08:11Another item on the agenda was the proposal for a roof deck on York Street, located in the Van Vorst Park Historic District. The applicant, represented by Patrick Conlin, sought a certificate of appropriateness for the deck, which aimed to combine two previously approved smaller decks into one larger structure. The design featured a hardwood deck and a fiber-reinforced concrete railing intended to blend with the sky, minimizing its visibility. The architect, Frederick Cook, highlighted the deck’s central positioning on the roof to reduce visual impact, supported by photographs and renderings suggesting minimal visibility from the surrounding neighborhood.

17:15The commission’s discussion included a focus on hypothetical visibility scenarios, using the height of a six-foot-one individual as a reference. It was concluded that the deck would not be visible from within two or three blocks. The bulkhead, taller than the proposed deck, was noted to remain unchanged and not visible. After a review, staff characterized the application as straightforward and consistent with other projects in the district. They recommended approval with specific conditions: that all light fixtures be downcast and that no portion of the deck or its accessories be visible from the public right of way, with visibility rendering the approval void. The applicant accepted these conditions, and the commission unanimously voted to approve the certificate.

20:18In addition to these cases, the commission addressed other agenda items, such as the tabling of an application for 172 Belmont due to insufficient documentation. This highlighted the necessity of thorough documentation for progressing with preservation cases.

26:53The meeting concluded with the election of new executive officers for the commission. Commissioners were nominated and confirmed for the roles of chair, vice chair, and secretary, with a unanimous vote supporting the new leadership for a one-year term.