The Historic Preservation Commission in Augusta City voted unanimously to approve four certificates of appropriateness (COAs) for exterior repairs and alterations and accepted a list of administrative COA approvals; one COA was postponed to October at the applicant’s request.

The actions, taken at the meeting where Todd Kennedy of the Planning and Development Department presented staff reports, covered exterior rehabilitation work downtown and siding replacement in the Somerville Historic District. Staff recommended approval of each petition, and commissioners voted to follow those recommendations.

The most detailed petition, COA 25-40 for 641 Broad Street, seeks approval for an adaptive reuse project that would rehabilitate an office building dating to the 1890s for apartments. Todd Kennedy said the scope before the commission was limited to “modifications to the site and building exteriors.” Kennedy told the commission that the project is applying for certified rehabilitation tax incentives through the Georgia Historic Preservation Division and the National Park Service and that that application “is in process and has been conditionally approved.” The work described in the staff packet includes brick cornice patching and repointing, repairing storefronts and doors in-kind, replacement of windows with aluminum-clad wood windows matching existing profiles and color, and restoration of shutters. Commissioner Matson made the motion to approve and Commissioner Matt Hall seconded; the commission approved the petition unanimously.

COA 25-42 (1151 Broad Street) was for roof repairs and the installation of a TPO membrane over an existing metal roof to address stormwater leakage above a coffee shop space. Zach Murray of Southpaw Roofing, representing the petitioner, said TPO was chosen because “TPO is typically gonna be a little bit less expensive than doing, like, a standing seam sort of metal,” and that the contractor planned to flash and work around existing skylights. Commissioner Vick moved to approve and Commissioner Hobbs seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

COA 25-43 (parcel at the intersection of Sixth Street and Watkins Street) requested replacement of roof materials and replacement of non‑historic windows with black aluminum-clad, double‑pane windows in a 2-by-2 simulated divided-light pattern. Jason Tice, representing the applicant, noted the low-slope roof section would use white TPO that will not be visible from the street. Staff recommended approval; Commissioner Heath moved approval, Commissioner Maven seconded, and the commission voted unanimously.

COA 25-44 at 2609 Henry Street in the Somerville Historic District asked to replace existing wood siding on one unit with vinyl siding matching adjacent units. Owner Ashley Hock Smith provided samples and the packet listed five letters of support and HOA approval. Historic Augusta’s note in the staff report said this complex predated the Somerville district and vinyl had been used historically on the building; staff recommended approval. Commissioner Young moved approval, Commissioner Vick seconded, and the petition was approved unanimously.

COA 25-35 was postponed to the October meeting at the applicant’s request; the commission recorded the postponement during the agenda review.

The commission also accepted the administrative list of COA approvals for July and August as information.

Votes at a glance

- COA 25-40 (641 Broad Street): Approve (adaptive reuse; exterior rehabilitation for apartments). Mover: Commissioner Matson. Second: Commissioner Matt Hall. Outcome: approved unanimously.
- COA 25-42 (1151 Broad Street): Approve (TPO roofing to address leaks; skylights to remain). Mover: Commissioner Vick. Second: Commissioner Hobbs. Outcome: approved unanimously.
- COA 25-43 (intersection of Sixth & Watkins): Approve (roof replacement; black aluminum‑clad double‑pane windows, 2x2 simulated divided lights; TPO on low slope). Mover: Commissioner Heath. Second: Commissioner Maven. Outcome: approved unanimously.
- COA 25-44 (2609 Henry Street, Somerville Historic District): Approve (replace wood siding with vinyl matching existing units; HOA/neighbors support). Mover: Commissioner Young. Second: Commissioner Vick. Outcome: approved unanimously.
- COA 25-35: Postponed to October at applicant’s request.
- Minutes from the July 24 meeting: received as information pending commissioner review and corrections (no recorded roll-call vote with individual tallies).

The commission’s approvals were taken under the downtown design guidelines and the Somerville design guidelines, and staff repeatedly noted the HPC’s review was limited to exterior changes. Kennedy told commissioners that certain projects are pursuing certified rehabilitation tax incentives; Historic Augusta and federal/state review bodies were referenced for that application process.

The meeting record shows limited public comment on these items and no recorded objections during the motions. Commissioners asked practical, site‑level questions (for example, how skylights would be integrated with new membrane roofing and how window frames would be fastened) and staff or the applicants provided technical responses. The commission asked applicants to follow design guideline recommendations where applicable and approved the petitions as presented.

The commission did not set additional conditions beyond those discussed in staff reports. Pending items and scheduling (including the postponed COA) will return to the commission at later meetings.