The Historic Resources Commission voted to retroactively approve exterior modifications made before the current owner’s purchase at 130½ Fourth Avenue, subject to conditions that any future replacement of doors, windows and stoop railings be carried out in a historically appropriate manner.

Planning staff had denied the retroactive application, citing unpermitted removal of ornate iron handrails replaced with plain wood railings, conversion of historic two‑over‑two wood sash windows to modern one‑over‑one aluminum windows, and alteration of a historic double‑vestibule front entrance to a single modern door. Staff told the commission those changes remove historic fabric and do not match the composition, design, texture or visual qualities required by the city’s historic overlay.

The current owner said the work was performed by a prior owner and that they discovered the violations only after purchase. Staff documentation and building‑inspector notes in the record indicate a stop‑work order was issued in 2022 for work without permits and that multiple code and permit issues predated the current ownership. The owner said they have been working with contractors and the title company and have incurred costs to obtain required permits and inspections but that the building cannot reach final occupancy (ROP) until exterior code and planning issues are resolved.

Public commenters and neighbors urged leniency, noting the need for housing and the hardship the current owner inherited. Commissioners noted that while the department sometimes grants limited flexibility for prior‑owner alterations, the extent of architectural changes (doors, windows and railings) made this case notable.

The commission approved a motion to retroactively grant the certificate of appropriateness for the property with an understanding that when doors, windows or the stoop are next replaced the work must return to historically appropriate materials and configurations (for example, reinstalling two‑over‑two wood double‑hung windows and restoring the historic vestibule entrance). The motion passed with an aye vote; staff will issue COA paperwork and the owner must follow up with the Planning Department to complete outstanding permits and inspections.