Historic preservation commission tables plan to raise, move house at 127 Man To Halo Avenue

The Athens‑Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 15 voted to table consideration of a certificate of appropriateness for work at 127 Man To Halo Avenue, COA 2025‑09‑1873, after staff and commissioners raised concerns about porch treatment, window rhythm and the loss of a chimney that had been removed before the application was filed.

Staff presented the application and recommended tabling to give the applicant time to revise plans to better preserve character‑defining features. Amber, Athens‑Clarke County planning staff, told commissioners, "Staff is recommending that the application be tabled," citing concerns about solid‑to‑void ratios, porch retention and the appearance of the foundation.

The proposal from agent Andrew Malik called for raising the primary historic portion of the house, shifting it 4 feet east and 4 feet south, removing a later rear addition and replacing it with a new rear addition, and installing a larger front porch and continuous block foundation. Malik said the chimney "was partially falling into the house" and that it had been removed earlier this year as a safety precaution; he told the commission his team could rebuild a chimney above the roofline and retain or replace novelty siding "in kind as needed." Malik also said the house was being raised in response to chronic stormwater intrusion and that the relocation would allow two off‑street parking spaces.

Commission discussion focused on several preservation issues raised in the staff report and in the earlier concept review: the missing chimney, porch scale and placement, the relationship of new openings to the original facade (solid‑to‑void ratio), and the proposed continuous block foundation versus historic pier foundations. Commissioners said they favored preserving the historic portions of the house and asked the applicant to revise drawings so the Commission could better evaluate porch proportions, window placement and chimney replacement above the roofline. No members of the public spoke for or against the request during the public comment period.

A motion to table COA 2025‑09‑1873 until the applicant submits revised drawings passed 5‑0. The motion was made by Commissioner Ted and seconded by Commissioner Alan. The applicant granted permission to table and was instructed to return with revised materials within six months.

By tabling, the commission left open the option for the applicant to return with conditions addressed rather than face denial, and staff said it would work with the applicant on the specific revisions requested by commissioners.