At its regular meeting the Augusta Historic Preservation Commission approved a swath of certificates of appropriateness for repairs, replacements and new construction across multiple historic districts, while delegating several final details to staff or a designated commissioner for expediency.

Approved items included: replacement of a damaged front picket fence at 2150 Battle Row with ornamental aluminum set behind existing brickwork (COA 25‑06); repairs to steps, a driveway conversion from gravel to concrete with a staff‑approved brick apron at 1125 Highland Avenue (COA 25‑09); an amendment permitting fiber cement siding on a home at 2627 Raymond Avenue (COA 25‑02); a combined 8‑foot stuccoed block wall and a 5‑foot decorative aluminum fence with brick columns at 2403 Wrightsboro Road subject to cap/finish details (COA 25‑15); a roof cover for a courtyard dining area at 816 Cotton Lane (COA 25‑16); approval of a new two‑story single‑family house at 204 Telfair Street subject to staff review of side window sizing (COA 25‑19); and a rooftop pergola addition at the Partridge Inn, 2110 Walton Way (COA 25‑20).

Votes and conditions

Most routine items passed by voice/show‑of‑hands votes after staff presentation and brief public comments. Where the commission sought follow‑up, it either delegated final details to staff or requested consultation with a named commissioner:

- 2150 Battle Row (COA 25‑06): Motion to approve replacement fence passed after public comments supporting aluminum replica behind the brickwork; staff noted applicant could not rebuild original pickets without extensive, costly brick reconstruction.

- 1125 Highland Avenue (COA 25‑09): Commission approved repairs and a driveway conversion to concrete; commissioners asked the applicant to consider a brick apron at driveway entrances to break up concrete expanse. The commission permitted staff to approve a final apron design after consulting Commissioner Nathan Vick.

- 2627 Raymond Avenue (COA 25‑02): The commission approved the petitioner’s request to use fiber cement board siding with a thinner product than originally specified; applicant agreed to provide the product spec sheet to staff for the record.

- 2403 Wrightsboro Road (COA 25‑15): Approved with condition that the brick cap extend at least 1 inch past the stucco face and that both sides of the stuccoed block wall be finished; Historic Augusta recommended a section drawing to show cap dimensions.

- 816 Cotton Lane (COA 25‑16): Commission approved an interior courtyard roof cover for outdoor dining; staff noted limited visibility from Reynolds Street and recommended approval.

- 204 Telfair Street (COA 25‑19): Commission approved the new house in principle but required staff review and consultation with a commissioner on side‑window sizing to better match Old Town proportions; applicant agreed to submit final window sizes to staff.

- 2110 Walton Way, Partridge Inn (COA 25‑20): Commission approved a white‑aluminum pergola structure on the rooftop to improve shade and usability; staff and Historic Augusta said the addition would be removable and limit permanent changes to the historic fabric.

Why it matters: these approvals affect the look and materials of contributing properties across Somerville, Downtown and Old Town. In several cases the commission emphasized finishing details (brick cap, column and cap profiles, apron dimensions, and window proportions) and delegated those to staff for efficiency while preserving the commission’s design intent.

What comes next: staff will document conditions, collect required spec sheets (e.g., siding spec for Raymond Avenue), and in several cases coordinate a staff approval after consultation with a designated commissioner.