Charlottesville City Council voted to deny a certificate of appropriateness (COA) for demolition of the Wharton Baker House at 1301 Wertland Street, upholding the unanimous May decision of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR).

Why it matters: The house dates from the early 1840s and is listed as a contributing structure in the Wertland Street historic district on state and national registers; councilors said preserving the house helps maintain the district’s historical integrity even as the city pursues more housing.

The case: Planning staff explained the BAR’s review criteria for demolition, noting the house’s age and association with early University of Virginia staff. Staff told council the applicant did not present alternative designs or a development plan to the BAR at the hearing, and the BAR found the house generally retains its original character despite some nineteenth‑century alterations and maintenance issues. BAR chair James Zemer told council, “It is one of the oldest houses in all of Charlottesville,” and said the panel had worked to balance preservation with opportunities for adjacent development.

The applicant’s representative argued the site is appropriate for higher‑density housing near the university and presented an envelope analysis estimating that a redevelopment could yield many more units than a previously approved project. Steve Blaine, representing the appellant, said the parcel is appropriately zoned for intensive residential use and that preserving the house would limit opportunities for additional housing close to Grounds.

Council response: Councilors who supported denial cited the house’s historical significance, its contribution to the district, and the fact the applicant had not presented a specific redevelopment plan that demonstrated clear public necessity for demolition. Several members noted that the BAR had approved an alternate 2023 design that preserved the house while adding housing on the adjacent lot — a model cited by preservation advocates as evidence the two goals can coexist.

Remedies and next steps: Staff reminded council of remedies available under city code: the owner may place the property on the market at fair value for 12 months for a buyer willing to preserve the structure; if no bona fide contract is executed in that period, other code remedies may apply. Council’s denial does not permanently prohibit future applications; a future owner or proposal that materially changes the facts could be evaluated later.

Ending: The council’s denial preserves the Wharton Baker House for the near term. Both preservationists and housing advocates urged continued work on approaches that can combine historic preservation and increased housing supply.