Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Materials topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BAR permits fiber-cement siding off the public right-of-way at 222 Southwest Street, requires wood where visible
Summary
The Board approved siding and window replacement at 222 Southwest Street with a condition that fiber-cement (Hardie) siding not be used on elevations visible from the public right-of-way; the owner proposed fiber-cement for a narrow side elevation to address maintenance access constraints
The Board of Architectural Review on a motion approved alterations at 222 Southwest Street, allowing fiber-cement siding on portions of the north elevation not visible from the public right-of-way while requiring wood siding where the elevation is publicly visible.
Architect Karen Conkey, representing owner Lynette Axelson, explained the request concerns a very narrow 1-foot-10-inch gap between 222 and 220 Southwest Street that makes maintenance difficult. Conkey said the owner prefers fiber-cement siding for the narrow side to avoid repeated maintenance and presented an option to transition from wood on the visible portion to fiber-cement deeper into the alley.
Commissioners debated the material trade-offs and historic appropriateness. Several commissioners said the front facade and any portion visible from the public right-of-way should remain wood. Commissioner Spencer, Mr. Adams and others urged restoring or adjusting the front window opening to better match historic proportions; Commissioner Adams specifically asked about lowering the window sill to match typical first-floor proportions but said the owner preferred to retain the current sill and opening due to interior use.
The board’s approval followed a motion to adopt staff recommendations, modified to require wood siding up to the point where the building’s rear L transitions (the outside corner visible from the public right-of-way), and to permit fiber-cement only beyond that visible transition. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Board members noted the Hardie (fiber-cement) German-lap profile the owner disliked was not available from the preferred manufacturer, and the applicant offered compromises on profile and transition detailing. The board recorded the condition that Hardie not be used on portions of the building visible from the public right-of-way; staff will work with the applicant on final details at permit review.
The decision reflects the BAR’s typical standard that visible street-facing materials should be wood for early historic buildings, while recognizing practical maintenance constraints for very narrow property separations.
