Alpharetta commission designates John C. Weatherford House at 193 Canton Street as historic

Alpharetta — The Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission on April 17 voted to designate the John C. Weatherford House at 193 Canton Street as a historic structure, a staff presentation and commission members said.

Michael Woodman, city staff, told commissioners the property sits on 2.4 acres and had been approved in 2021 for a 17‑lot single‑family subdivision (referred to as Hudson Park). He said the council placed conditions on the subdivision that require the Weatherford house be saved, rehabilitated and formally designated under the city’s Historic Preservation Incentive Ordinance.

Designating the house will move it from the city’s contributing historic buildings inventory to the designated historic buildings inventory, Woodman said. He described the house as a folk‑Victorian structure built between about 1910 and 1920, roughly 2,786 square feet, and one of the city’s remaining older architectural examples. "The request before you today is a request for a public hearing to designate a structure as historic," Woodman said during his presentation.

Why it matters: The designation satisfies the zoning condition tied to the approved subdivision and triggers the review process that will govern exterior changes to the house. The commission’s decision does not yet approve the applicant’s proposed exterior renovations; those will be considered at a separate certificate of appropriateness hearing scheduled next month.

Details of the project and public outreach The developer previously obtained design‑review board approvals for the new homes on the subdivision lots, Woodman said, but the DRB had no authority over the historic house itself. The developer plans to use the Weatherford House as a residence, Woodman said; the applicant’s representative confirmed that intent in remarks at the hearing.

Woodman said the applicant mailed notices to properties within 500 feet and that a Community Zoning Information Meeting was held March 12; staff’s record showed a sign‑in sheet but no written comments. He also reviewed the ordinance’s designation criteria — including age (over 75 years) and historic, architectural or cultural significance — and said staff found the house meets those criteria.

Limits on future uses and exterior review Woodman told commissioners that existing council conditions limit the house’s use to either a residence or an office. "So a coffee shop is out of the question," he said, explaining that any change to allow a business beyond residence or office would require a council action to alter the zoning condition. If the owner later converts the house from residence to office without altering the exterior, the conversion would be handled through building permits; exterior changes would require this commission’s approval of a certificate of appropriateness, he added.

Commission discussion and applicant comments Chris Davis, representing the ownership group for 193 Canton Street, told the commission he had little to add to staff’s presentation and was available to answer questions. Commissioners asked about the house’s history, floor plan (not a shotgun layout), the planned two‑car garage addition at the rear, and whether chimneys and other exterior elements fall under the commission’s purview. Woodman confirmed exterior elements visible from the street — including chimneys, windows and siding — are subject to review; interior finishes are not.

Vote and next steps Commissioner Connie Mashburn moved to approve designation of the John C. Weatherford House; Commissioner Bob Myers seconded. The motion carried (members responded "aye" and the chair declared the motion carries). Staff and the applicant said the developer intends to begin work promptly after the required approvals; Woodman noted the zoning conditions require the house to be under construction by a milestone tied to the overall development schedule.

The commission will review the applicant’s certificate of appropriateness for proposed exterior changes at the next HPC meeting. If council conditions or permits are later changed by the applicant, Woodman said the commission would be notified as a courtesy when an application to change conditions reaches City Council.

Votes at a glance • Motion: Approve historic designation for the John C. Weatherford House (PH20504, 193 Canton Street). • Moved: Commissioner Connie Mashburn. Second: Commissioner Bob Myers. • Outcome: Approved (motion carries).