The Downtown Design Review Board voted May 21 to approve replacement of exterior windows at 420 Clinch Avenue, requiring the applicant to submit elevation drawings or a window schedule that accurately depicts the multi‑pane arrangements to be replicated.

Staff said the building is eligible for the National Register but is not formally listed; the original windows were significantly deteriorated and staff found that aluminum‑clad wood double‑hung windows with simulated divided lights are a compatible replacement if they match the existing openings and retain brick trim and masonry details. The board approved staff recommendations with a condition to provide accurate pane‑by‑pane documentation.

Lindsay, presenting the staff report, said the proposed Sierra Pacific Monument Series double‑hung aluminum‑clad wood windows would replicate existing sizes and multi‑pane patterns with simulated divided lights and that original brick window openings would not be modified. “The proposed double hung aluminum clad wood windows, with the simulated divided lights are a compatible replacement,” Lindsay said.

Margaret Butler, representing McCarty Wholesale and the building owner, said the building is about 100 years old and that funding had been secured for the replacements. “Lindsay did a fantastic job of explaining it, and I'm here to answer any questions,” Butler said. Butler added the project team can provide the additional elevation detail requested by staff.

Board members questioned pane divisions and whether the new windows would be true divided lights or simulated. Butler said the new windows will be simulated divided lights with applied muntins on the interior and exterior and a spacer between the glass to mimic a true divided appearance. “So the new ones are gonna be simulated? Simulated true, yeah. Simulated. It's the emollient applied on the outside, emollient applied on the inside and the piece in the middle between the glass that looks like it's all one piece,” Butler said.

A motion to approve subject to staff conditions passed unanimously. Conditions include: submitting elevation drawings or a window schedule accurately depicting pane configurations, retaining and repairing existing brick window openings and masonry details as necessary, and following staff guidance during permitting. The board and applicant agreed the replacements would help preserve the building while improving energy performance and durability.

Staff will issue a certificate of appropriateness after the applicant submits the requested window schedule and any clarifying elevation drawings.