Landmarks Commission approves larger addition, sets porch and railing conditions for 44 West Mound Street

The Canal Winchester Landmarks Commission on March 24 approved a revised plan for a 1,140-square-foot east-side addition at 44 West Mound Street, a residential property in the city’s historic district.

Commissioners said the addition — larger than a previously approved 1,050-square-foot plan that was not built — will keep a visual distinction between the historic house and the new construction while aligning materials and rooflines. The commission approved the design with conditions that the porch remain recessed and that porch railing and posts be a matte, low-gloss composite (such as AZEK) rather than shiny PVC.

The applicant presented elevations, siding samples and a roofing profile during the meeting. The addition will move the home’s main entry into the center of the new section, connect a new front porch to the existing porch, and use fiber-cement (Hardie) lap siding on the primary surfaces with a board-and-batten treatment on a bump-out. The applicant said lap siding exposure will be six inches and the roof will be a true standing-seam metal roof with a 1.5-inch seam in a bronze color. The applicant also said trim will be white and doors will be a gel-blend fiberglass in a mocha tone.

Commission members discussed porch proportions, the existing foundation’s split-face block pattern and options for matching or concealing differences between the original foundation and the new poured walls. Commissioners urged retaining the existing concrete sidewalk and stairs while routing a new walkway to the relocated main entrance; the commission directed that the existing stair landing be retained as a visual reminder of the original entry and that the new path curve to the new stairs. The commission also asked that the porch posts and railing be spaced and finished so they appear proportionate without a glossy plastic look.

A motion to approve CA25-006 carried on a roll call vote. The minutes and roll call recorded yes votes from Roger White, Whit Wardell, Patrick Lynch, Linda Henry and Rich Dowdy; one commissioner (recorded as David Craighead in the transcript) abstained.

The commission noted a large magnolia tree behind the addition that should be avoided during construction; commissioners said protection of that specimen was a condition discussed during review. The applicant indicated the project team will provide additional foundation and railing details as construction documents proceed.

The commission’s approval covers the exterior materials, roof profile, siding treatment and the porch/sidewalk configuration described at the meeting. Staff said any significant deviations from the approved elevations should be returned to the commission for review.