The Historic Resources Commission on Sept. 18 approved a revised addition at 2115 Barker Avenue, concluding revisions made after Architectural Review Committee review reduced the addition’s height and porch scale enough to meet the intent of Chapter 22 design criteria even though the project does not strictly comply with every numerical setback and height standard.

Staff planner Avery Kernan summarized changes the applicant submitted after ARC review: the second-floor balcony and exterior doors on the east elevation were replaced with windows, the porch depth was reduced, and the roof pitch was lowered to reduce overall massing. Kernan said those revisions “help to reduce the size and scale of that addition and make it feel a little bit more subordinate.”

Kernan explained a key project constraint: the applicant sought to avoid constructing over a city sanitary sewer line that runs across the rear of the lot, which informed the addition’s placement and shape. ARC members and staff reviewed alternative configurations and recommended the applicant’s revised drawings as responsive to the committee’s guidance.

Dennis Brown of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance offered public comment in support: “Our advocacy committee has followed this agenda item … and we were quite pleased with the revised drawings and wish to offer congratulations to the applicant team and the ARC.” ARC members also noted that the applicant agreed to use lap siding on the addition rather than shingle siding, a material decision the committee considered appropriate for compatibility with the context area.

Commissioner Klein moved to find that the revised drawings meet the intent of the applicable standards and design criteria in Chapter 22 and to approve the certificate of approval; Commissioner Buchanan seconded. The roll-call vote was 6–0 in favor: Commissioner Dearborn — yes; Commissioner Cunningham — yes; Commissioner Klein — yes; Commissioner Hernley — yes; Commissioner Buchanan — yes; Chair Coleman — yes. The commission instructed staff to finalize conditions and material selections through the normal permit review process.

The approval makes the project eligible to proceed toward building-permit review, with staff and ARC oversight of final material selections and details as the applicant prepares construction documents.