The Richmond Historic Preservation Commission on July 14, 2025, voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition of an accessory garage at 1907 East Main Street in the Linden Hill Conservation District, with a condition that the property owner return plans for a replacement structure within one calendar year.

The commission’s action followed a staff report that the detached garage is in a state of disrepair, that Richmond code enforcement cited the owner in April and assessed a $100 fine in May for violations related to structural stability and upkeep, and that county parcel records estimate the current garage was built about 1930. "COA1-2025 is the petition of Jackie Cruz, owner and agent located at 1907 East Main Street in Richmond, requesting a certificate of appropriateness approval for the demolition of a structure viewable from the public right of way," planning staff member Dustin said during the hearing.

Petitioner Jackie Cruz told the commission he plans to demolish the existing garage because a survey found the concrete block walls could not support a new roof and that the structure is too deteriorated to safely repair. "Yes, ma'am. I'm mister Cruz. I have requested to go ahead and demolish the property," he said. Cruz also told the commission he intends to replace the garage with a two-car garage matching the colonial style and color of the house.

A neighbor, who identified himself only as Robert, opposed demolition and said the garage could be repaired. "Demolition is not much of a conservation strategy," he told the commission, recounting projects he has completed to restore similar accessory structures and expressing concern that a new structure might not match the historic character.

Planning staff read into the record the property history and relevant review criteria from the HPC rules of procedure. Staff said the main house on the parcel was built about 1895 by local architect John Hasakoster and is a contributing resource; county survey and Sanborn map evidence suggest the outbuilding now proposed for demolition postdates Hasakoster’s ownership and likely dates to about 1930. Staff noted the garage is one of several hip-roofed detached garages in the district, has limited architectural significance relative to the primary house, and has an assessed value of $7,700 on the 2025 record card. Staff also reported 35 adjacent property owners were notified and the commission received three written responses, two in favor and one letter noting support for demolition.

Commission discussion focused on whether to attach conditions to the demolition approval to ensure a historically compatible replacement is built. Commissioners noted that any new accessory structure would require a separate COA for design review; they discussed adding a condition requiring the petitioner to return with replacement plans within one year. The petitioner agreed that he plans to replace the structure and said he expects to begin work in spring 2026, with completion possibly later in 2026 or 2027 depending on contractor availability.

A motion to approve the COA with the condition that plans for the replacement structure be submitted within one calendar year carried on a roll-call vote: Roxy Deer, Josh Emhoff, Megan Ripperger, Kamaya Edwards and Damon Jacobson voted in favor; Tina Conte recused herself. The motion passed and the commission closed the item.

The commission did not adopt specific design requirements as part of the demolition approval; commissioners noted design and conformity with the conservation district will be reviewed when the petitioner files the COA for the new accessory structure.

Votes at a glance: Certificate of Appropriateness (COA1-2025 / demolition of accessory garage at 1907 East Main Street) — approved with condition (plans for replacement to be returned within one calendar year). Vote: 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 recusal.