HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Consider the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for 8 S Columbia Street - COA 23-3861
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Brad Iwicki, Assistant Planner
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Submitted for Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) review.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is an approximately 9,150 square foot parcel south of Benton Avenue on the east side of Columbia Street, with a common street address of 8 S Columbia Street. The property is zoned R2 (Single-family and Low Density Multiple-Family Residence District) and is currently improved with a two-story Greek Revival style residence, constructed in 1865, and a detached garage and shed adjacent to the Columbia Street alley. The principal structure is listed as “potentially significant” to the local Historic District and in “good” condition in the 2008 Architectural and Historical Survey (“2008 Survey”).
Prior changes to the original structure include a one-story sun porch addition on the home’s north elevation (not historic), fixed shutters, replacement columns and base on porch (not historic), first story window bay addition (south side, historic), two-story rear addition (do we need to say if this is historic or not?), and replacement of the brick foundation.
At the time of the 2008 Survey, there were several significant features of the principal structure, such as the front gable with cornice returns, historic wood windows with 6/6 grid configuration, front gable entry porch roof with cornice returns, multi-light sidelights and transom at entry, and classical lintels on windows.
The home remains a great 1860’s example of the Greek Revival style with the multi-pane, double-hung 6/6 windows, the front door featuring transom lights and narrow sidelights, cornice ornamentation, gabled roof, and shutters.
Prior COA Approvals
• In 2011, an Administrative COA was approved for replacement of the escape window in the window well on the primary façade.
• In 2022, an Administrative COA was approved for replacement of 50% or more of the existing 4.5” reveal horizontal lap siding and installation of fiber cement 5” reveal horizontal lap siding and a 3.5” James Hardie window trim with sills on the top and bottom.
DISCUSSION:
The applicants and property owners, Keith and Kelly Brown, seek a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to allow for a two-story addition to a secondary façade that impacts the exterior architectural appearance of the primary façade of the principal structure and alters the roof shape and height. The addition is set back approximately 45 feet from the front property line and 20 feet from the primary façade. While this is an addition to the side of the residence, it can be seen from the Columbia Street right-of-way. The demolition and proposed addition to the side of the home will span 22 feet and be flush with the rear of the home. After construction of the new addition, the home will have an additional 6 feet extended from the south elevation-- and a roof that changes the shape and height of the existing roof system. Features of the new addition include reinstallation of the 1st floor stained glass window, as well as the installation of cedar windows, James Hardie board cedar horizontal lap siding and corner boards, gutters and trim, and asphalt shingles. All features are proposed to match the existing materials.
A COA is required because the work proposed will impact the exterior architectural appearance of the primary façade and alter the roof shape and height as described in Section 6-11-8 of the Municipal Code. The attached Architectural Plans for the Brown Residence Addition and Renovation reflect the new construction and demolition proposed.
The Historic Building Design and Resource Manual states that the placement of additions should have minimal impact on the building’s overall character, designed in the same architectural style as the original building including roof shape, window and door design, location, and dimensions, and the overall proportion or form of the building. Also, the scale should correspond to the existing building, materials should match the predominant materials on the existing building, and massing should relate to the existing structure.
Additions that are encouraged should include subtle differences from the original building. Acceptable additions include an addition to the secondary façade that is properly designed to complement the original building and set back from the primary façade, and to respect the original building’s style and materials. The applicant appears to have proposed materials to match the existing structure and set back the addition from the primary façade. The applicant states that the plans to maintain the front gable roof is consistent with the Greek Revival architectural style. The south side window bay addition, listed as a historic alteration in the 2008 Architectural and Historical Survey, will be removed with the proposed addition.
Factors for Consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness Application: Review of COA applications are conducted based on the compatibility with the Factors for Consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness Application (Section 6-11-8:5; Certificate of Appropriateness Required). The owner has detailed their justification of the factors considered. Their justification is included in the attachments for review by the HPC.
Key Takeaways
• The applicant requests approval of COA 23-3861 to allow for a two-story addition to a secondary façade that impacts the exterior architectural appearance of the primary façade of the principal structure and alters the roof shape and height at 8 S Columbia Street.