South Russell Village ARB approves accessory building at 49 Cascades Drive

The South Russell Village Architectural Review Board on June 3 approved design details for a new accessory building at 49 Cascades Drive, the applicant told the board. The accessory structure will run roughly parallel to the house and was described as 32 feet long by 24 feet deep; an area variance of 63 square feet for the project had been approved earlier by the zone appeals body.

Why it matters: The accessory building will change the appearance and roofline visible from adjacent properties and required coordination between design details and the previously granted variance. The board reviewed materials, window and door selections, and insulation and discussed how the building will relate to the existing house and nearby homes.

Applicant presentation and board review: The applicant, identified in the meeting as the property owner of 49 Cascades Drive, walked the board through photographs and dimensions and said the new building will be sited on the south side of the existing concrete pad and run parallel to the house. The applicant described the planned footprint as extending about 32 feet parallel to the house and 24 feet deep and said the two garage doors would align with the existing house garage opening.

The applicant discussed exterior materials and trim. He said he planned to use an LP product in a color he referred to as “catalyst steel” with dark (referred to in the meeting as “abyss black”) trim and black windows; he also described a compromise with his spouse toward a gray siding tone. The applicant told the board he intends to use Marvin windows (Marvin Essential series for standard windows and Marvin Elevate series for a tall door where a Marvin Essential product is not available). An overhead door was described as an 8-foot-by-8-foot glass door.

Roofing and insulation: The applicant said he prefers a standing-seam metal roof to match the house but acknowledged asphalt shingles as an alternative; the board noted standing seam can be noisier during hail events. The applicant described a planned ceiling insulation assembly using two layers of approximately 5.5-inch rock wool, installed perpendicular to the trusses to cover the bottom chord and help reduce noise transmission.

Building-envelope products discussed: The applicant described several air- and water-sealing products he planned to use around rough openings and at the foundation, including an exterior tape product he called “Fence on tape from CNET,” a prefabricated corner window seal, a tape he called “Twinette,” a corner foam product he called “core foam,” an air-barrier house wrap he referred to as “Myrex,” and a window air-sealing product he referred to as “Ventram.” He also mentioned a self-adhering acrylic flashing from a company he identified as “Benjamin Optic.”

Board action and outcome: After questions and brief discussion about trim color, window types and roofing, a board member moved to approve the application and a second was given. The board voted unanimously to approve the design and materials as presented. A board member called for a vote; when polled the board answered, "Aye," and a member said, "It's approved."

Process notes: The board recorded that the area variance of 63 square feet affecting this project had already been approved by the zone appeals body (referenced in the meeting as the zone appeals meeting on March 21). The ARB’s action at this meeting covered only design and material approvals; no changes to the variance itself were made.

What’s next: The applicant indicated plans to proceed with the selected materials and noted potential future changes such as switching to different roofing materials; the board gave final sign-off on the visual and material elements reviewed at the meeting.