Historic Preservation Commission approves exterior paint, minor repairs for Luke's Sweeper Shop

At its September meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission approved an application to repaint and perform minor exterior repairs at Luke's Sweeper Shop, a building identified by a placard as constructed in 1860.

The approval allows the applicant to repaint the building in Gauntlet Gray with Extra White trim and to paint the doors red for contrast, perform preparatory scraping and spot priming, and use a boom lift staged in the building's rear parking lot. The commission noted the work will require a street obstruction permit before sidewalk or parking-space closures begin.

The commission's action matters because the building is historically identified on a placard and because the proposed work includes sidewalk and parking-space impacts that require municipal permitting. Commission members asked about preservation-sensitive work and public-safety measures for the boom lift.

During the discussion, Nick Lucarelli identified himself as the applicant and described the proposed color and trim selections as an effort to “clean it up” and refresh the facade. The contractor, Adam Williams of Adam Williams Painting, described preparatory work the crew will perform, saying the first several days to a week will be dedicated to scraping loose paint and spot-priming bare brick and other repaired surfaces to ensure a long-lasting finish. He also said he would stage a boom lift in the building's rear parking lot with the property owner's permission and secure the equipment each night.

Commission attorney Dale Weldon said the project will require a street obstruction permit before the contractor blocks the sidewalk or parking spaces and added that Adam Williams Painting had already obtained that permitting or its equivalent to start work once the commission granted approval.

Vice Chair Tim Dang moved to approve the application; Chairperson Gail Stevens seconded the motion. The commission approved the application by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Commission members and the applicant clarified several implementation details: the applicant will block the front two parking spots and the sidewalk during boom-lift operations, post cones and caution tape, keep the boom basket raised overnight to discourage climbing, and take the boom-lift key off-site each day when work ends. The applicant also said he plans to start work after delivery of equipment and weather permitting, aiming for a Friday or Saturday start and to pause work on Sunday.

No physical changes to gutters or soffits were proposed; the work described was limited to surface preparation, repainting, and repairing loose architectural elements. The commission did not impose additional conditions in its motion.

The commission asked staff to note the approval and to process any required permits; the applicant indicated he would notify staff ("Morgan") that the commission had approved the work.

The meeting moved on after the approval and later adjourned.