The Historic District Commission discussed the possibility of adding a second floor above two downtown businesses.
At the Nov. 1 HDC meeting, Latigo Treuer asked for feedback on a proposal to add a level above Tummy Ticklers and The Ladybug Emporium. He had a drawing of the proposal, but said he wanted advice from the HDC before incurring the expense of a full architectural design. Treuer said he would also have to approach Planning and Zoning, but he wanted to assess the HDC’s reaction first.
In their informal discussion, commissioners noted that every other downtown business has two floors. They also agreed that the preliminary design looked appropriate to the setting. In response to a question, Treuer said he did not yet know if the second-floor addition would create a small courtyard beneath it. The item was only on the agenda for discussion, so commissioners did not vote. However, Chair Dee Bright summed up the comments of the other commissioners, saying, “I think it fits into the neighborhood, and that’s what we’re all about.”
In other business:
- Jack and Rachael Moyer received approval for a plan to remove a sleeping porch addition at 23 Norris St. A driveway and deck would occupy that space. The application also called for restoring the original roofline. The house was built in 1929 but was modified in the 1960s. The Moyers’ plan will create 338 square feet of deck, with wood floor and railing, and another parking place will be created.
- At 36 Eureka St., Craig Cox received approval to add antique fencing to match existing fencing to create a courtyard for pets.
- Russell Pogue received approval to add 36 linear feet of picket fence 48 inches tall to the north side of his property at 30 Council St. Pictures showed that the proposed fence would match an existing fence.
- Gary and Michelle Buehler received approval to demolish a carport and a rusted shed and add a room to the rear of their house at 5 Kingshighway. The addition will be 12 feet by 15, with siding to match the rest of the house. The application also included a porch six feet by 20.
- At 164 N. Main St., Phyllis Plumley received approval for an addition at the rear of the second story. The addition will create a bedroom and bathroom, measuring six feet by 22.
- Emily Valentin had appeared at the Oct. 18 HDC meeting with “a little bit of an unusual situation.” She had signed a contract to replace four windows but asked the commission to reject her application to void the contract. She said she had discovered that the original windows did not need to be replaced. At the October meeting, commissioners tabled the application, noting that they were not there to extricate someone from a contract. Regardless of the circumstances, commissioners unanimously rejected the application last week on the grounds that original windows should be maintained as long as possible.
- The HDC will next meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Level III applications were due Nov. 2, and Level II on Nov. 8.