HDC shuts the door on centering a door

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The final meeting of the year for the Historic District Commission on Dec. 6 had one of the longest agendas of the year as commissioners considered nine new applications.

Lori Richards told commissioners she was renovating 18 Elk, which had fallen into extreme disrepair. The house was a contributing structure, and commissioners approved her expansion of the rear deck but were less convinced she could center the front door, which was not original and off to one side. Richards produced a photo of the house from 1980 that showed the door off-center, but no one had photos pre-dating that. She did, however, find sketches of the style of house from the same period, and the front doors were centered.

Commissioners, nevertheless, decided the guidelines, which state doors are not to be relocated, prevail. Her application to center the front door was denied 4-1, commissioner Mark Ingram voting to approve.

The application to build a greenhouse behind the gym building on the Community Center property met with some indecision. Ingram said commissioners should visit the site because it’s new construction. Other commissioners said they had visited the site recently and knew it well enough.

Jack Moyer, treasurer of the Community Center Foundation, said the greenhouse would sit on the slab already in place, and remarked it might be replaced in the future by a larger, more permanent one. He added there was also a timing issue, which, if not met, would trigger a price increase.

Ken Trimble, who owns contiguous property, asked if there were a plan to prevent rainwater runoff from affecting his property. He and Moyer confabbed a moment, and, when asked, Trimble said he was satisfied. Vote to approve the application was unanimous.

These other new applications were approved:

  • 26 Linwood – new roofing material
  • 30 Benton – replace windows
  • 21 Bridge – change roofline; enclose deck
  • 12 Cliff – add shutters to main house
  • 12 Cliff – convert rear studio building to one-bedroom home
  • 41 Alexander – replace fence
  • 8 Armstrong – new side and rear fencing

Commissioner Melissa Greene asked to pull the application for replacing rooftop balusters at the Post Office from the Consent Agenda for discussion. Her point was the building was a contributing structure, and the guidelines state it is preferable to restore rather than replace. City Preservation Officer Glenna Booth responded these balusters were installed 10 years ago with commission approval because the previous ones had deteriorated, and now the current ones are weathered and need replacing. She said the contributing status would not be affected, and no one would even notice.

Vote to approve the application was 4-1, Ingram voting No.

These items on the Consent Agenda were approved:

  • 37 S. Main – new sign
  • 17 Howell – change driveway/walkway configurations
  • 44 Kingshighway – Little Free Pantry
  • 19 First – new sign

The Consent Agenda items are Level I applications that the City Preservation Officer believes to be in accordance with the Design Guidelines.

Vice-chair Steve Holifield presented Administrative Approvals, applications for repair or work involving no changes in materials or color but which include changes in roofing color:

  • 101 Spring – replace roofing
  • 17 Benton – new paint colors
  • 250 Spring – replace limestone steps, landing

Commissioners voted to approve an expenditure of $99 for a one-year Dropbox subscription for their digital database project.

Holifield announced Chair Virgil Fowler’s term had expired and he had decided not to seek another term.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m.