Geneva HPC OKs bluestone patio at 413 South River Street
Loading...
Summary
The Geneva Historic Preservation Commission approved a permit to replace an uneven, damaged flagstone patio with Pennsylvania bluestone at 413 South River Street (case 202517). Commissioners voted to allow the owner to proceed; staff will forward the approval to the building department.
The Geneva Historic Preservation Commission on April 15 approved a building-permit application to replace a deteriorating flagstone patio with Pennsylvania bluestone at 413 South River Street, case number 202517.
Assistant planner Jessie Muncy summarized the property history and the permit request before the commission’s vote. Muncy said the commission’s purview did not include a separate walkway on the property, which had been administratively reviewed, and that the application before the commission concerned the patio itself.
Homeowner Michael O’Keefe described safety problems tied to the existing flagstone, saying the stones were sinking and had caused trips: “Our whole porch… we’ve had postal carriers trip on it.” O’Keefe said chipmunk burrowing and natural flaking of the flagstone had made parts of the patio uneven, prompting the replacement.
Commissioners reviewed material samples and color pictures supplied by the applicants. The applicants proposed Pennsylvania bluestone in mixed earth tones with six nominal sizes to avoid a uniformly patterned look; the owner said the intent was a natural appearance to match the stone house. Commissioners asked about scale and step visibility; the applicant said a limestone trim will mark the step and additional lighting would be added.
A motion to approve the permit for 413 South River Street was made and seconded; during roll call commissioners Jensen, McManus, Phillips, Solomon, Staysen, Tobler and Zellmer voted in favor. The chair said staff will send the approval to the building department and separate the rear-window work from the front-window application so the rear work can proceed under administrative review.
The commission’s formal approval covered the patio material and general layout as presented; the walkway shown on the survey remains outside the HPC’s review and was administratively approved earlier.
The commission did not require additional conditions beyond the material sample and matching of earth tones to the house as described by the applicants. Staff said it will coordinate the permit with the building department and notify the applicants of the administrative steps required to begin work.
