Commission approves in‑kind repairs and historic door recreations at Harlinsdale Farm barns

The Historic Zoning Commission approved retroactive and future repairs at Harlinsdale Farm on Aug. 11, granting a Certificate of Appropriateness for in‑kind replacement of siding on the Colt Barn and for recreating two historic doors on the Hayes House equipment barn. Staff said severe storms in 2024–25 compromised the Colt Barn’s structural stability and that emergency repairs were already taken; the application sought retroactive approval for that work and proposed continuing siding replacement on a 45‑foot elevation. For the Hayes House equipment barn, staff reviewed historic photographs and supported recreation of the missing doors on the east, south and southern elevations to match historic images. Trevor French, city superintendent of facilities and maintenance, told the commission the doors will help Friends of Franklin Parks secure the equipment shed and that the team intends to repaint the equipment barn white to match historic photographs. Commissioners asked for retention and reuse of existing wood in good condition; staff noted conditions for city projects would be attached to any approval. The commission’s motion approved the staff conditions, added the paint‑matching instruction to return the equipment shed to its historical white, and recommended salvaging and reinstalling original details such as dog‑ear trim where feasible. Next steps: the city will proceed with repairs and the door recreations under the COA conditions, including documented reuse of sound historic material where available and submittal of final shop drawings if required.