Historic Preservation panel approves wood front doors for 58–64 West Third Avenue

The Columbus Historic Preservation Commission on June 20 approved a certificate of appropriateness for new front doors at 58–64 West Third Avenue, requiring that the doors be made of wood and that their design conform to the Victorian Village guidelines or the half‑light style the commission has approved previously.

The commission voted to accept staff's recommendation after staff described the application and the applicable code. Kimberly Bernard Sheehy, HPO staff, told the commission that staff recommended approval with conditions "that the front door material is wood, the door style is selected from the Victorian Village guidelines or the half light style that the commission has previously approved." Sheehy cited city code 3116.11, the standards for alteration, and the Victorian Village guidelines on windows and doors as the basis for the recommendation.

Nick Carrickan, representing the building owner, said the applicant had surveyed nearby properties and found only isolated prior approvals that differed from the guidelines. "We went back out and just looked at every property for three blocks in all directions," Carrickan said, describing the neighborhood review the applicant submitted. He also described the building's recent rehabilitation and requested a reasonable timeline to complete the remaining door replacements.

Commission discussion centered on materiality, historical precedent in the block and making the approval clear in the motion. The commission's motion required wood doors and allowed selection from the Victorian Village photographs/guidelines or the half‑light option. The motion passed with commissioners voting in the affirmative.

If issued, the COA will be valid for one year from the date of issuance; staff noted COAs are generally issued with a one‑year period for completion.