Summary
The Euclid Architectural Review Board approved a new front deck, stairs and pergola at 271 East 230 Second Street with a condition that the applicant return within six months to confirm final finishes and matching railing profiles.
The Euclid City Architectural Review Board approved design plans Wednesday for a new front deck, stairs and pergola at 271 East 230 Second Street, with a condition that the applicant return within six months to review the built project’s finishes and railing cap profile.
The project, presented as a replacement of a small concrete porch with an approximately 120–150 square-foot porch and a higher‑quality pergola and railing system, drew favorable comment from staff and board members as an investment in a 1940 Cape Cod–style home in a block of similar period houses.
Pamela Pierce, project consultant, described the scope: “We’re trying to replace the existing deck that’s made out of concrete with brick that are falling beneath it,” and to add a pressure‑treated wood pergola and stairs with black aluminum balusters and a wood cap. Pierce said the applicant will likely use a prefinished treated lumber product (referred to in the meeting as an “AC 3” or similar treated lumber) to achieve a cedar-like appearance.
City staff reported the house sits on a roughly 30-foot front setback common in the block and recommended conditional approval of the front porch if the applicant commits to provide a finish that “matches the architectural character of the home” within six months. In presenting the staff report, the planning reviewer said the proposed porch “improves the home appearance” but warned that the large, unfinished look of the new structure would need a complementary finish.
Board members discussed materials and detailing at length. The board asked for continuity between the porch railing and the stair handrails and recommended that the applicant either match the profile of the porch railing on the stairs or provide a compatible transition detail. The applicant said the porch kit—aluminum vertical rails with a wooden cap—was already purchased; the board suggested fabricating a stair railing to match the same top‑cap profile so the overall appearance is cohesive.
On zoning notes, the board reviewed a neighbor’s letter stating that an upper element of the pergola would extend about 8 inches into a required 5-foot setback; the neighbor said they had no objection. The applicant said the existing porch will be widened by about 2 feet to create a livable 6-foot depth rather than the original 4-foot width. The applicant also said two large trees in front of the property will be removed so the new porch will be visible from the street.
The board moved to approve the project for Permanent Parcel 640-423-317 with the condition that the applicant return within six months of construction completion to confirm and finalize exterior finishes and to ensure the vertical rails and wood cap profile are matched where the porch and stairs meet. The motion carried by voice vote; no opposing votes were recorded.
The board encouraged the applicant to finalize material details before construction and to include plantings at the porch base to soften the visual impact once built.
