The Historic District Commission, with the help of an outside contractor, is working to revise its guidelines. A draft of the revised guidelines can be found at espreservation.org/draft, along with a form to submit comments. Most residents of the historic district will also receive a postcard notifying them of the proposed revisions. At the April 6 HDC meeting, Chair Steve Holifield mentioned the design of the postcard, with an updated building façade superimposed on an older picture.
A public hearing was scheduled at the start of the meeting for a Level III application at 3 King St. Owner Scott Walker asked to add a 24-panel solar array on the rear roof slope. City Historic Preservation Officer Kylee Hevrdejs said the building had originally been three stories tall, but it was re-built in its current form after a 1999 fire. She described the solar project as “appropriately positioned” and said it was not visible from the street. All approved the project.
At 29 Elk St., Ryan Devall asked to add a privacy fence. Hevrdejs said the house dates to 1909, and is contributing, but the six-ft. tall wooden privacy fence in the backyard would not affect architectural integrity of the house. A similar fence is located on a nearby property. The application was approved unanimously.
Commissioners also gave unanimous approval to Robert and Andrea Evans, who asked to remove a deck at 53-55 N. Main St. Hevrdejs said the property has seen “significant alterations” since its 1965 construction, including several projecting rear additions. The deteriorating deck was built sometime after 2005 and does not meet current codes.
Janet Seefeldt received approval for adding a deck and some lattice work at 14 Judah St., but Holifield had to cast the fourth vote after commissioner Marty Cogan voted against the project. Hevrdejs had recommended approval in her review, noting that the composite material planned for the deck would look like wood. The deck would be hardly visible from the street. Cogan agreed that the HDC has begun approving “fake wood” for decking, but she objected to using composite material for the lattice skirting the deck.
Seefeldt explained that the deck is located in a damp area with previous termite infestation. Commissioner Dee Bright said the lattice work would not be visible, but Cogan insisted, “It doesn’t matter if it can be seen. It matters if it’s appropriate to the historic integrity of the house.”
At 2 Cross St., Ruth Seymour asked to construct a gravel parking area 12×16 ft. and install a metal gazebo. The parking area would have a four-ft. high retaining wall in the rear. The gazebo would have metal supports and a standing-seam metal roof. HDC guidelines would ordinarily call for the structure to be located further from the street, but other houses in the neighborhood have carports or other ancillary buildings next to the house. All approved the project.
Shelby Rogers received approval for some exterior rehabilitation at 80 Lookout Lane. She intends to replace damaged siding, fascia, and soffit with concrete products in similar styles. She will replace some existing windows with wooden windows, and she will also add an off-street parking area 13×22 ft.
Arlene & Carl Urquizu received the commissioners’ heartfelt thank-yous along with approval for their application. The property, at 226 Spring St. has been vacant since 2001, and was declared a nuisance property and placed on the market. The building dates to 1886 but has seen extensive changes through the years. The application calls for repairing existing siding and restoring windows and doors. The front porch and a second-story balcony will be restored, along with railings and wooden steps.
The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20. Level III application were due on April 7, and other levels were due April 13. The commission has a vacancy and applicants can contact Hevrdejs at city hall.