Commission denies after‑the‑fact replacement of multiple windows at Bloomfield Street property

The Athens‑Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission denied an after‑the‑fact certificate of appropriateness for replacement windows at a property on the northeast corner of Bloomfield Street and Hall Street (COA 2025‑07‑1439).

Staff explained the property originally had 11 double‑hung windows; the applicant removed and replaced nine of those without prior COA approval and later asked to replace the remaining two historic 4‑over‑1 windows with new units that staff said relied on a composite (no‑rot) sill. Staff recommended denial for the replacement of the surviving historic 4‑over‑1 windows and urged retention and repair where feasible.

Applicant Keith Raboteau told the commission he was engaged after nine windows had already been removed and installed; he said installers selected a wood‑frame product with a composite sill for durability and performance and offered to substitute a wood sill for the two remaining openings if that would influence the commission. Commissioners asked about documentation, historic photographs, and the size and light pattern of the original windows.

Commissioners noted the difficulty of enforcement after unpermitted work, the risk that approving replacements would reward after‑the‑fact removal of historic fabric, and the lack of sufficient documentation of condition and historic detail. After discussion a motion to deny the COA for the replacement was carried. Staff indicated the owner could submit additional documentation or pursue repairs for the two remaining historic windows in the future.

The commission also noted that the application file shows removal of a window in a rear porch area that was not part of the proposal and advised applicants to include clear photographic documentation in future submissions.