Council sends planning commission’s vertical‑siding approval back for reconsideration in historic district

The town council voted to ask the planning commission to reconsider a recent decision that approved vertical siding on a property within the historic district. Council members said the municipal code and accompanying guidance favor horizontal wood siding for historic properties, and they expressed concern that approving vertical siding sets a precedent that could prompt complaints from past applicants who were required to install horizontal siding.

Councilors noted the planning commission approved the vertical‑siding request unanimously at a recent meeting. Council member Scott and several colleagues said that although some existing buildings in town show mixed siding types (including nonresidential structures and older commercial buildings), the town’s ordinance and pictorial guidance specify horizontal siding as the preferred historic material for residential properties in the historic district.

Why it matters: The decision affects historic preservation standards and how property owners and the town apply the municipal code. Council members said any change should be made through a code amendment rather than ad hoc approvals.

Details and outcome: Several council members described walking the neighborhood to survey siding types and said vertical siding was more common outside the historic district or on manufactured homes and commercial structures. After discussion, the council voted to send the matter back to the planning commission for reconsideration rather than to pursue an immediate appeal or a code change.

Decision vs. direction: The council’s action was a direction to the planning commission to re‑review the case; it was not a formal code amendment. Council members said future code revisions could be pursued through a separate public process if the town wants to change the siding standard.

Ending: The planning commission will reconsider the approval and the council asked staff to preserve the public process if any broader code changes are proposed.