Historic district commission approves cross‑bracing at Woodlawn Avenue house

The Athens‑Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 20 approved a certificate of appropriateness to retain cross‑bracing on exposed rafter tails at 327 Woodlawn Avenue.

The application (COA 2025‑0A‑1671) was presented by agent David Matheny on behalf of homeowners Jason and Melissa Isley. Staff described the house as built between about 1916 and 1920 and noted that cross‑bracing appeared historically on the front elevation but not previously on side and rear elevations. Staff recommended removing bracing in locations where the applicant could not demonstrate it was structurally necessary for newly added dormers approved in August 2023.

Matheny told the commission that the contractor added cross‑bracing while installing side and rear dormers because the contractor believed additional support was needed to carry dormer loads. Matheny said the front elevation historically had bracing “across” the porch and that continuing the bracing around the house preserved a consistent rhythm; he and the homeowners argued the detail is not readily visible from the street and does not obscure rafter tail detailing.

Commission discussion focused on whether the added bracing altered character‑defining features and on the adequacy of the applicant’s structural justification. Several commissioners said the cross‑bracing was not visually harmful and could be appropriate if it supported approved dormers. A commissioner who inspected the house said the cross‑bracing “fits the character” and did not oppose approval.

A motion to approve COA 2025‑0A‑1671 “as submitted” passed; the meeting transcript records the motion and a second and shows the chair calling the vote in favor. The commission did not record a numeric roll‑call in the transcript for this item.

The approval allows the applicant to retain the cross‑bracing at the reviewed elevations, subject to the COA as presented to the commission.