Mount Vernon ARB OKs Wartburg one-year extension, approves roof and stair repairs

Mount Vernon — The Mount Vernon Architectural Review Board approved three applications affecting properties in the city, granting a one‑year extension for a proposed eight‑story independent living building and approving two separate certificates of appropriateness for exterior repairs on private residences.

The board granted the extension requested by Wartburg for the certificate of appropriateness on a proposed eight‑story independent‑living building at 3355 Bradley Avenue, saying the developer had shifted resources to a different adaptive‑reuse project and needs additional time to obtain permits and financing. Lisonbee Pfauzer, an associate attorney with Cuddy and Feder, said, “We are seeking a 1 year extension of the certificate of appropriateness for an 8 story independent living building.” David Gettner, who identified himself as Wartburg’s president and CEO, told the board the team has been focused on an adaptive‑reuse project and “we just need 1 more year.” The board approved the extension by voice vote.

The board also approved a certificate of appropriateness for a homeowner at 6457 (street not fully specified in the record) to remove failing slate and replace it with an asphalt shingle roof and new gutters. Owner Barbara Brown Jones described ongoing interior water intrusion as the reason for the project, saying, “we have a lot of leakage in their home,” and the board voted to approve the work as submitted.

A third application, for a front‑entry stair replacement in a two‑family residential district (address not specified in the transcript), was approved. The applicant and project representative described a plan to demolish an existing, deteriorated stair assembly that currently extends over the property line and to rebuild a single set of stairs within the property line with new masonry cladding, compliant rise and run, and black metal handrails and guardrails. The applicant noted the stairs had been damaged over time, including by fallen street trees and DIY repairs. The board approved the application as submitted.

Why it matters: The Wartburg extension affects a proposed project that the applicant said would add 102 housing units, including a significant portion set to serve lower‑income residents; the adaptive‑reuse work Wartburg prioritized has already received county flex funding, city Urban Renewal Agency support and a 9 percent tax‑credit award, according to the applicant. The two residential approvals allow property owners to address immediate habitability and safety concerns while keeping exterior changes under the review process for Mount Vernon’s historic or design guidelines.

Details and context

Wartburg extension — applicant statements and funding: The board record and applicants show the Wartburg team asked for a one‑year extension because they pivoted to an adaptive‑reuse project they described as the WalterMate (adaptive‑reuse) building and expended time securing financing and permits for that project. David Gettner told the board the adaptive‑reuse project closed in August and construction started; he said the independent‑living building remains the same project with “same project, same team, same site, no changes at this time.” Gettner said the adaptive‑reuse project secured county flex funding, Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency funding and a competitive 9 percent tax credit that accelerated work on that site. The applicant stated the independent living project would total 102 units, with 60 units at or below 60 percent of area median income (AMI) and 30 units at 30 percent AMI or below.

Public‑hearing question: A board member asked whether the public hearing for the Wartburg extension had been opened, noting that a public hearing is required by local code; staff reported that an affidavit of signposting had been filed. The board proceeded after that confirmation.

Residential roof replacement (6457 [street not fully specified]) : Owner Barbara Brown Jones and a contractor identified as Mario presented photographs and material samples. The proposal would replace a mix of existing roof materials — slate at the front, shingles in the middle and asphalt at the rear — with a unified asphalt shingle roof and new gutters to address leaks. Board members asked about salvaging decorative elements; Jones said she hoped to retain a decorative spire on the octagonal section of the roof.

Front‑entry stair replacement (two‑family residential district): The applicant said the current stairs are deteriorated, do not meet current building code rise‑and‑run requirements and extend over the property line. The proposal narrows and reconfigures the stair to remain inside the property line, adds compliant rise and run, installs black metal square‑section handrails and a guardrail where required, and uses masonry cladding to match the house. Board discussion noted existing foundation settling and DIY repairs on the property and recommended salvaging or reusing any sound historic material where feasible.

Votes at a glance

- 3355 Bradley Avenue (Wartburg) — Motion to approve a one‑year extension of the certificate of appropriateness for the proposed eight‑story independent living building; outcome: approved (voice vote). Applicant: Wartburg; mover/second: not specified in record; public‑hearing affidavit on file.

- 6457 (address incomplete in record) — Motion to approve certificate of appropriateness to replace failing slate with asphalt shingles and new gutters; outcome: approved (voice vote). Applicant: Barbara Brown Jones; mover/second: not specified in record.

- Front‑entry stair replacement (two‑family residential district; address not specified) — Motion to approve demolition of existing stairs and reconstruction within the property line with masonry cladding and new metal railings; outcome: approved (voice vote). Applicant/representative: not fully identified in record; mover/second: not specified.

What the board did not decide: The board did not take final action on any changes to zoning, density or the independent living project’s substantive design beyond granting the time extension for the Wartburg application. The record shows the board relied on staff confirmation that notice requirements had been met for the Wartburg extension.

Next steps and follow‑up: Applicants may proceed with permit submission where applicable; the Wartburg team indicated it still requires building permits and financing milestones before proceeding with construction of the independent‑living building.