At the March 7 Historic District Commission meeting, commissioner Mark Ingram asked why commissioners would require someone to rebuild a non-functioning chimney for a non-contributing house. Commissioner Wendi Super noted she could not see the chimney from the street, and applicant Rod Slane added the failing chimney has been covered by a blue tarp for two years.
Slane had three different requests on his application for 203 Spring, one of which was to remove the non-functioning brick chimney and a round metal vent pipe which also served no purpose. No one voiced objection to removal of the vent pipe, but commissioner Dee Bright pointed out their guidelines state, “Non-functional chimneys should be maintained and not removed above the roofline. It may be appropriate to remove non-functional secondary chimneys.” This chimney was not secondary, just at the rear of the house. However, Slane stated the brick was spalling and the mortar failing.
After brief discussion, vote to remove both the chimney and the vent pipe was 3-2, Bright and commissioner Greg Moon voting No. Chair Steve Holifield paused for a moment and then voted Yes, so the request was approved.
Slane also wanted to alter the slightly angled corrugated metal porch roof to a secondary gable roof and move a diamond-shaped stained glass window forward into this gable. This request was approved as was adding a six-foot stained cedar privacy fence with a lattice top toward the end of his driveway.
Also approved were:
- 30 Kingshighway – add lattice around front porch
- 15 Douglas – repair/extend rear retaining wall; rebuild front wall
- 43 Alexander – new fencing
- 4 Oakridge – extend rear deck
- 285 Spring – replace upper front deck due to collapse
The only item on the Consent Agenda was approved:
- 103 E .Van Buren – new signs
Consent Agenda items are Level I applications that the City Preservation Officer believes to be in accordance with Design Guidelines.
Holifield presented these two Administrative Approvals, applications for repair or work involving no changes in materials, but includes changes in roofing and paint colors:
- 34 Spring – re-roof
- 44 Spring – replace awning
Format change
Commissioners discussed altering their format for making motions to make the process less cumbersome and more accurate. City Preservation Officer Glenna Booth said the goal was to have “a clear legal path for decisions.” Booth will amend the notes she provides for commissioners to guide them through the change.
Next meeting will be Wednesday, March 21, at 6 p.m.