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Design review panel approves composite stair replacement for rear porch at 47 West Street
Summary
The Montpelier Design Review Committee on July 21 approved owner Amanda Sardonis's plan to replace rear porch stair treads and risers at 47 West Street with composite decking and PVC risers, adding a recommendation to round the tread edges; vote 4-0.
On July 21, the Montpelier Design Review Committee approved an application from homeowner Amanda Sardonis to replace the treads and risers on the rear porch stairs at 47 West Street with composite decking and PVC risers, with a committee recommendation that the ends of the treads be rounded to match existing detailing. The committee voted 4-0 to approve the application.
The applicant, Amanda Sardonis, told the committee the existing wood treads and risers were rotting from repeated wet conditions and a carpenter recommended replacing those components. "Our proposed project is to replace the treads and risers on those stairs of our rear porch," Sardonis said. She added the replacement would use composite decking for treads and PVC for risers and that caps would be added to the step ends so "it'll look like a nice finished edge." The rear stairs lead to the backyard and are not visible from the street, Sardonis said.
Committee members discussed preserving the existing rounded (bullnose) front on the treads. Steve Everett noted the bullnose is a distinctive architectural feature and suggested it could be achieved by milling or routing the composite material. "You can actually achieve the rounded edge merely by running it through a router or a shaper," Everett said. Eric Gilbertson moved that the committee include a recommendation that the applicant provide rounded ends; Everett seconded that recommendation. The committee applied that recommendation to the project as it found the proposal compatible with the Design Review District criteria.
Meredith Crandall, planning staff, summarized the district criteria for exterior alterations and told the applicant the permit could be issued promptly. "Hopefully, tomorrow, depending on staffing and getting everything done, you'll get your permits," Crandall said.
Discussion (options and concerns): committee members and the applicant discussed whether composite material could be milled or otherwise finished to present a rounded bullnose like the original treads. Sardonis said she was not the contractor and had not chosen exact color samples; she said the riser material can be painted and that color choices were under consideration. The committee noted matching trim and the visual relationship with existing porch decking as considerations for any future work.
Decision: The committee determined the project met the district's design criteria with the recommendation to provide rounded tread ends. Vote: Rebecca Owens, Martha Smerski, Eric Gilbertson and Steve Everett voted yes; outcome approved 4-0.
Next steps: Crandall said she would prepare the permit paperwork and that the applicant should sign the committee's recommendation form; permits may be issued the next business day depending on staff workload.
