[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6701134,"mediaKeyId","3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8","parentId",3667309,"title","Irvington owner asks commission to authorize work done without approval; staff recommends corrections, commission continues case","audioSeconds",2981,"startMs",3021000,"endMs",6002000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8&start=3021&end=6002","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8/thumbnail_3021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6701134/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Irvington-owner-asks-commission-to-authorize-work-done-without-approval-staff-recommends-corrections-commission-continues-case","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701134-7adc06e2f51c868aad0aceb8c87b3da9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=COc~s37oXBWne2yGYxIjNUAUrsQcI6MKEB0RN8b~5qm~kzg4BFREJlcojtzTAy0FrdJhykIczzd3JwMbH-FjTos~~mR9ZVKiwfLMHuDdKm29NjuNsCIQ7kNgNM3x63CddSLeVWY8YIrz0wm9qCt~LVVsbPVPoXhkDgBcm1kiNSjwtueL~I6DUHADexZZ8~znmyKjSTyAaG97zwlkZ~pLLh3l1wKvdnvY0hqMQOhs29XPbIgEEJF0MntUKgmnhoGrbW0YcS-OLbiGPwSSdQCC8izfMNnqrkTeTqsMJYnT9K600Ou1f7IRgeWEwgXq9KBVi3Zmf8C7K~6-nFjSYwFcWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Indianapolis, IN","date","2025-06-04T00:00:00Z","article","Darryl Gunion asked the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission in June to authorize exterior work he completed at 5814 Beechwood Avenue in Irvington, saying he used “the best commercially available materials” and that removing his work would cause financial ruin. “If you rule against me, the things like tearing the things off and replacing them could be over $100,000,” Gunion said.

Gunion described replacing windows, installing new doors after a burglary, demolishing a greenhouse and constructing a framed sun porch with lap siding, repurposed hardwood floors and a painted brick interior wall. He said he consulted the city permits office and believed a permit was unnecessary because the foundation was not enlarged.

Neighbors and local supporters spoke in favor of Gunion’s work, submitting multiple letters and offering oral testimony that the house looked improved and that preservation of a maintained home is preferable to a vacant or deteriorating property. Andy Nielsen, the district city-county counselor, wrote the commission supporting authorization and warning that denial could lead to the property falling into disrepair.

Staff review and recommendation: Shelby Long and IHPC staff said the property’s prior “noncontributing” classification may have been assigned because of a later greenhouse addition and that, based on building features, the house may in fact be contributing. Staff recommended a two-part outcome:

- Part A (approved): authorize a railing on the west stoop and approve several items completed without prior IHPC approval, including new wood trim, removal of metal awnings, replacement of rear and west doors, dormer openings closed, and demolition of the greenhouse. Staff recommended approving Second Floor vinyl windows installed by a previous owner (staff found those inappropriate but noted they preceded the current owner).

- Part B (denied): require removal or correction of the front addition/sun porch, replacement of the first-floor windows and the front door, replacement of rough sawn fiber-cement dormer siding with smooth wood siding, and replacement of the octagonal dormer window. Staff said those items were inappropriate, used poor-quality materials, or changed the building’s character, and that the owner “continued to work on the property after violations and stop-work orders were issued.” Staff recommended required corrections by Aug. 6 and notified the city prosecutor and the listing realtor.

Commission response and disposition: Commissioners expressed frustration that work proceeded without prior approval and noted the hardship claims from the owner. Several commissioners said the house’s classification as “noncontributing” in the adopted plan requires a different review lens focused on neighborhood effect rather than the subject building alone; Commissioner David Baker described trying to separate designation language from the building’s architectural merits.

Commissioners asked staff to revisit the noncontributing/contributing classification and to provide guidance considering the district plan’s language. The applicant asked that commissioners visit the site; commissioners and staff said they would consider that. The applicant agreed not to sell the property before the next hearing.

The commission voted to continue the matter to the July 2 meeting so staff can re-evaluate the plan classification and commissioners can further review. Staff will work with the applicant on possible modifications to the porch base (a suggested repurposed-brick water table) and other changes that could reduce the visual impact.

Why it matters: The case illustrates enforcement challenges when owners undertake exterior work in a historic district without prior review, the commission’s role in balancing preservation standards with owner hardship claims, and how district classification (contributing vs. noncontributing) changes review standards.

Action summary: The commission continued 2024 COA 356 to the July 2 IHPC meeting; the applicant agreed not to sell the property in the interim.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council of Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission - Jun 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An Irvington homeowner asked the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission to authorize exterior work he completed without prior approval; staff recommended partial authorization but required removal or replacement of several elements, and the commission continued the case to July to allow further staff review and possible site visits.","taxTitle","Indianapolis City, Marion County, Indiana","taxId",3627,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6701138,"Commission approves carriage house and variances for Heron-Morton lot after design debate",1831,1248000,3079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8&start=1248&end=3079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8/thumbnail_1248000.jpg","/articles/6701138/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Commission-approves-carriage-house-and-variances-for-Heron-Morton-lot-after-design-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701138-4dfe39cdd73bbfc9c42f73d34d2e92c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=V9QVxnlcmxw1i1rgKMAAX~ks6IURezB9eqIpbl7mfoa0gZ1fPX2GhR17~CZawIrdLLLm6r4lzFdgexjEvrZ4L5mG3pQ2gvqhzuzXfgPLSwvChBQIP9T9eZJA8Fv1gHSJ0aRnXMUX5hKF-sspZOv565rDpfNDZsLRmQaNqkm9zNL5vL0KM7Fg4DfRGjqb9d~GGF~u9xKud8U4VxjnvV7icCTn1tBXcXd2qb2I8E5fulBK41fgw3dYrkYx8pm3dPstZ7WkBxvld~3n8-Shlfq-8FWLeh~Z2DC45rtk0sGLe20Oe36WVz2qkNVW9v9hYr0kFI0f6bnPe02TTCxhtM-S0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission on the June meeting approved a certificate of appropriateness and two variances to permit construction of a carriage house at 1827 North Pennsylvania Street in the Heron-Morton Place neighborhood.

Applicant Jason Wolf of Wove Design told the commission the carriage house is intended to provide living space for the owners’ adult dependent brother and that the structure is sited at the rear to allow for future primary-house development. “The purpose of this carriage house is to provide one of the owner's brothers with a place to live,” Wolf said. “He’s a dependent adult and is looking to have a place to live that's close by to them.”

Staff and neighbors offered differing views on details. Staff reviewer Morgan Malejo said the structure should “lean more transitional” in detailing because it sits between a modern primary residence and an adjacent historic house. Malejo listed suggested changes including 4-inch exposure lap siding, thicker door and window trim, double-hung windows with grids, trim headers and sills, opening the balcony, adding brackets under columns, and using an asphalt roof instead of standing seam metal.

The applicants and neighbors emphasized support and flexibility. Owner Samantha Burke described the carriage house as a purpose-built home for her brother, saying it “includes a private and roomy front porch” and design elements intended to meet his needs. The Heron-Morton Place Land Use Committee submitted a letter of support for the design, and other neighbors provided support letters and spoken comments in the hearing.

Commissioners discussed fenestration, the carriage-house balcony’s solid enclosure, and whether the structure’s materials and detailing would unduly limit future choices if a primary house is built on the lot. Commissioner David Baker said the proposed design could act as “a blank palette” adaptable to future work, and Commissioners Michael Bivens and Anson Keller said they were generally comfortable with the proposal while urging modest adjustments, particularly on the balcony and first-floor openings.

After discussion, staff read a backup recommendation to approve the certificate of appropriateness subject to eight stipulations (final construction drawings approval by staff, a required pre-construction meeting, site staking, and material specifications among them). The commission voted to approve the COA as read. Staff then read a recommendation to approve two variances of use: (1) to construct a secondary dwelling unit without a primary structure on the lot and (2) to allow the secondary dwelling unit without the lot owner occupying the lot as their primary residence. The commission voted to approve both variances.

Outcome and next steps: staff will enforce the stipulations in the COA and the applicant must comply with normal permitting and code requirements. The motions were approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the hearing transcript.

Why it matters: The decision allows a nonstandard pattern—building a secondary dwelling before a primary residence—on a lot in an established historic neighborhood and sets precedent for how “transitional” design is interpreted when modern and historic structures abut.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the certificate of appropriateness for 2025 COA 151 per staff’s recommendation and approved variances filed as 2025 VHP 005.

","The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness and two variances allowing construction of a carriage house at 1827 N. Pennsylvania St., after commissioners and staff debated whether the design should be more \"transitional\" and whether changes should be required.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6701123,"Woodruff Place applicant reports completion of Part A; Part B continued to August",216,455000,671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8&start=455&end=671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8/thumbnail_455000.jpg","/articles/6701123/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Woodruff-Place-applicant-reports-completion-of-Part-A-Part-B-continued-to-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701123-e91fbf56f722526c3ba168d08ec987c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=ixH6LhArhHnzfmEhyLkYD358MRntkTp6GLa3W~BsUz67Zsid83-IB0GlZ9ylFtDARz6Vl~zc3jDnPBbAasfK4sK2Ry2gUTaYoHhAuVdzxngJi56eaA~vR2kxNMGRJKvjRVtzwKpB8a4wlpy80Nw6VxfqhmzuApOjqA4wf~T60Nelsr57krFpn1Up7vmfJJE1JpDoTBZA6UycKSbUpq2cy~U84romtejZLmPZu0jzERV~hJsihDGeFIvPIOSYAkIcSdmI8feaV5SdI0GL3A2hwCxSrj0IPjSexP6q8Kbe3MxW0UaeNWIwagX6ttC4j-geFxkjDIJerBj3YCpYja-e2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the meeting, the commission heard an update on an open case for Woodruff Place (2024 COA 188A at 858/958 Woodruff Place). Ali Khan, speaking for the property at 958 Woodruff Place, said the work associated with part A of the plan is finished and staff has been notified. “The good news is that we have finished everything which was supposed to be part of plan part A,” Khan said.

Senior architectural reviewer Shelby Long said she would perform a comparison to the historic imagery and the approved drawings and, if the final inspection matches the approvals, she would sign off and consider part A closed. Part B of the application remains continued to the August 6 meeting, per prior scheduling.

No formal action was required beyond the procedural continuation for Part B; the commission acknowledged staff will complete the final inspection for Part A and will return Part B to the agenda on Aug. 6.","At the IHPC June meeting the owner of 958 Woodruff Place reported that the Part A scope of work has been completed and staff said it will sign off after a final inspection. Part B of the application was continued to the commission's August meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6701130,"Commission allows steel front door to remain on Heron-Morton house, 5-1 vote",0,5883000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8&start=5883&end=5883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3667309-f4405d7c57dda1951311c5ea604073b8/thumbnail_5883000.jpg","/articles/6701130/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Commission-allows-steel-front-door-to-remain-on-Heron-Morton-house-5-1-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701130-ca7f43375b8d23db589c8e5e5ccd9187/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137058&Signature=MlwozYJGHYz5VbkGZ1Q1Ilj30vqOX4LY9j5bAWxT6fqP-oN91qwgkaAjYIhuHyiMF0o-0l3tM7jF7VXsRnYSq~Vb3DMnHzncgr~0ptehrRcS1NyApsGDLI6-GsCfoZlPwpQw4qktATF8yjPyl5UAr8Y-yNpVFYLerZLLC~HpkG5BxXRgXNdTr5xfSy17lJ0G4tj6yUVsNUfAA-SQ1mnLAtZtDHunEuAaUubqcWT1~mR2f2vqj3WrDqEYWLEQFO~5QNLa6tUL5W-VYkILgBlRZpSuIkHVVehZ3UwE1cn2PEIoABQpGgc7MIPEmzhGD8UzfGrMPZlOSL4pxJAB5p7mMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission voted 5-1 to allow a nonwood front door installed without prior approval to remain at 1808 North Delaware Street in Heron-Morton Place, while reiterating that applicants should seek staff review before exterior alterations.

Applicant Justin Leinenbach said his family has spent months repairing deferred maintenance and replacing failing exterior components after moving into the house. “If I'd known the historical rules, I would not have made these costly changes,” Leinenbach said, describing multiple interior and exterior repairs needed when they purchased the home.

Staff recommended that, because the opening is an alteration, a new door should be wood to match typical material for a house of this age. Staff prepared a backup recommendation for approval to retain the installed steel door, subject to a single stipulation that no changes be made to the door’s design, location, configuration or installation method without prior staff approval.

Commission discussion focused on the visual performance of the replacement door, costs to the homeowner, and whether the installed door materially harms the historic character. Commissioner Anson Keller and several others said the installed door appeared suitable in place and could be an improvement over the prior condition. After consideration, the commission voted to approve staff’s backup recommendation to retain the steel door by a 5-1 vote.

Outcome and next steps: The commission approved 2025 COA 140 to keep the installed steel front door, subject to the stipulation that any subsequent alteration requires prior staff approval. The owner must comply with applicable building codes and permit requirements.

Why it matters: The decision underscores the commission’s discretion to weigh material authenticity against visual compatibility, cost, and the condition of the prior door when considering after-the-fact replacements.

","The commission voted 5-1 to allow a steel (nonwood) front door installed without prior approval to remain at a Heron-Morton Place home, with a staff stipulation that no further changes occur without approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Irvington owner asks commission to authorize work done without approval; staff recommends corrections, commission continues case

Commission approves carriage house and variances for Heron-Morton lot after design debate

Woodruff Place applicant reports completion of Part A; Part B continued to August

Commission allows steel front door to remain on Heron-Morton house, 5-1 vote