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Board approves revised parapet design at 206 Mackenzie Street
Summary
After postponing a height decision in June, the Historic Design Review Board approved a revised parapet that raises the north parapet by eight inches and requires a concrete cap to match existing building color.
The Historic Design Review Board on July 22 approved a revised parapet design for the mixed-use building at 206 Mackenzie Street, accepting a modification staff said better reflects the building’s architectural vocabulary and noting that no other windows or doors were being changed at this hearing.
Staff described the property as a unique, eclectic structure listed as contributing to the Downtown and Eastside Historic District. The applicant had previously presented an altered parapet design in June; the board postponed the height decision then and asked for a new proposal.
"This new design . . . accentuates the property and the north facade in greater detail than the previously proposed design," staff member Paul said, adding that staff found exception criteria had been met for the proposed increase. The earlier approved parapet (from a 2021 hearing) had a different profile; the new proposal raises the parapet approximately eight inches above the previously proposed option and sets the final height at 14 feet 9 inches for the north façade.
Applicant Braden Furry said the change was the minimum height necessary to screen structure behind the parapet and that the design harmonizes with the rest of the building. Member Bienvenu asked about the parapet cap; Furry replied the cap would be concrete in the same color as the building.
Member Aguilar Medrano moved to approve the application as submitted for the north parapet (14 feet 9 inches), noting no other improvements or exceptions were being requested at the hearing and that the cap will be concrete in the same color. A friendly amendment was added to incorporate staff and applicant responses to each exception criterion into the board’s formal findings. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.
Public commenter Stephanie Benanato said she appreciated the redesign but suggested a lower curved form more similar to the approved 2022 curve might be more in keeping with the façade; she also raised a visual concern about visible windows on the setback that she felt appeared different in size.
The board’s approval is limited to the parapet height and cap treatment shown in the new design; staff recorded that exception criteria were met and the motion incorporated staff findings for the record.
