The Historic District Commission will only hold one meeting in August. When commissioners met Aug. 5, a long list of pending applications had already received administrative approval under a policy established in response to the coronavirus. Last week, the HDC had several Level III applications to consider.
David Marry received approval for a new single-family residence at 4 Corley Loop. The house will be one story in front, and two stories with dormers on the rear projection. In response to a question, Marry said the house will be Craftsman style, like the other houses on the street.
At 14 Singleton St., Ron Taul also received approval for a new single-family residence, although his application had some opposition. Barbara Gavron, who resides at 10 Singleton St., objected to the orientation of the house, with the gable facing the street. The HDC does not evaluate orientation, and the Planning Commission will make that decision. Gavron also objected to an entry door on a side porch, which she described as a style more suited to Charleston, S.C.
The two-story house will have a footprint 16 x 36 ft., for a total of 1,300 sq. ft. It will have a painted stucco finish. The application did not include window specifications, and Taul will have to return for approval when he decides what windows to install.
Another neighbor sent a letter saying he and his wife had no objection to the house, but Gavron had a series of complaints. She said the variance Taul has requested to move closer to the property line would increase the risk of fire jumping from one house to another. She thought the house would look more Victorian without shutters and said all 16 houses on that street were Victorian, built between 1897 and 1904.
Commissioners expressed concern about the specification of fiberglass columns, and Taul explained that he had faced rot problems with wooden columns. City Historic Preservation Officer Glenna Booth reminded commissioners that they had approved similar columns on Spring Street, and that HDC guidelines allow new materials on new construction.
With commissioner Marty Cogan opposed, Chair Dee Bright provided the fourth vote for approval.