Board approves final design for 306 West Richardson with trim and material caveats

The Board of Architectural Review approved the final exterior design for a house at 306 West Richardson with two written caveats: the “band board” where the cedar product is shown must continue around the building with the foundation stucco shown below it, and the square porch columns must have chamfered edges and additional trim details to match the portico columns. The board also asked the applicant to return with more detailed fence drawings.

Presenter and timeline: The owners and their architect said the design evolved over roughly 18 months and that the garage roof will be lower than the house roof so the garage will not be visible from Richardson Street. The project team proposed a composite “new cedar” siding product in combination with cement plank at the base; the builder raised moisture and cost concerns about taking the cedar siding all the way to grade.

Board findings: Board members accepted the applicants’ rationale but conditioned approval to ensure the cedar band and foundation treatment continued around the building and allowed the architect latitude to lower that band where necessary to make details work with grade. The board also approved chamfered detailing for the square columns to better match existing town character and asked the applicants to resubmit the fence design with greater detail on member sizing and column caps; the board said fence review will not hold up house construction.

Outcome: A motion to approve the house design as shown with the two caveats passed by roll call vote. Fence design must be submitted separately for BAR review.