The Historic Preservation Board on Sept. 4 approved a certificate of appropriateness and a FEMA floodplain variance for renovation and a modest expansion to a contributing cottage at 3110 Passagrille Way (cases 25076 and 25077).

The decisions matter because the property is a locally designated contributing resource and the proposed work exceeds FEMA’s “substantial improvement” thresholds as measured by county valuation; the variance allows the owners to proceed with interior repairs and a kitchen expansion while preserving the structure’s historic character, staff said.

Gil Martinez, senior planner with community development, presented the staff report. Martinez said the application seeks a certificate of appropriateness and a FEMA floodplain variance to expand an accessory cottage kitchen by less than 70 square feet, replace two bedroom windows with French doors facing a patio, and raise a flat roof portion to match a gable peak. Martinez noted the estimated renovation cost is about $75,000, a figure that exceeded the local substantial-improvement benchmark used for FEMA-related review; staff nevertheless found the scope consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and with the city’s floodplain criteria and recommended approval of both cases.

Owner Adrienne Timmel spoke in support of the work and described the cottage as a family resource—“where grandparents stay” when the family visits—stating the intent is a “modest enhancement” in keeping with the bungalow/craftsman character of the neighborhood. Timmel and staff confirmed the accessory structure is listed as a contributing resource on the local inventory. Board members praised the owners’ preservation approach and noted that retaining accessory structures is often a way to maintain historic fabric while making homes more resilient.

After public discussion the board moved and approved motions to grant the certificate of appropriateness for case 25076 and the FEMA floodplain variance for case 25077; roll call recorded unanimous approval by the members present. The variance and certificate permit the owners to proceed with the described scope while preserving the cottage’s historic characteristics and complying with elevation and floodplain rules.