Pensacola ARB approves multiple exterior projects, reviews new jeweler’s store concept

PENSACOLA — The City of Pensacola Architectural Review Board on Jan. 16 approved a series of exterior-alteration and accessory-structure applications across several historic districts, granted final approval for a 11-unit townhouse development and heard a conceptual design for a new Jewelers Trade Shop on West Garden Street.

The board approved final exterior changes at 510 East Zaragoza as the structure will be converted from commercial use to a single-family residence. Applicant Carl Springer told the board, “We bought it to convert to single family residential,” and said window and door relocations are driven by new interior cabinetry and bedroom layouts. The board voted to approve the application; the motion passed by voice vote.

At 319 East Gadsden, the board reviewed a 9-by-6.5-foot, 8.5-foot-tall wood pergola that was built without a city permit. Applicant Dina Estrada told the board she had relied on a contractor who said a permit was not required and said, “I asked a very prominent contractor ... and they said no, no for a pergola. Made a mistake ... I didn't do my homework.” The board found the installation compliant with zoning and approved the pergola while urging the owner to reconsider the metal standing‑seam roof finish or to treat it to better suit the pergola form.

The board also approved a carport enclosure at 514 East Government Street submitted by Nancy Fetterman. After prior reviews and earlier denials of alternate designs, the board approved the applicant’s Option A, a louvered garage‑door appearance intended to reduce the visual prominence of the enclosed carport. Fetterman said the enclosed door would address safety and personal concerns; the board voted to approve the louvered option.

At 529 East Government Street, contractor Keith Kelly presented a set of exterior changes that include replacing a front door, installing a three-bay window on the rear elevation, shifting an existing side window and locating a tankless water heater behind screening. Kelly said the front transom will remain and that the proposed ThermaTru fiberglass door would be gel-coated to resemble stained wood. The board approved the proposal.

Property owners Melanie Nichols and Jeff Dirth received approval at 14 East Gonzales Street for aluminum, storm-rated bifold colonial shutters across openings on a contributing structure in North Hill. Nichols showed historical evidence that the house once had colonial shutters and said modern louvered, bifold aluminum shutters would be operable from inside. The board approved the shutters on the condition the installed color be black (or dark green); the board added an abbreviated review requirement if the owner later requests a different color.

The board approved window replacements and related work at 210 South Alcony Street, where Melissa and Nick (Nick Koch, speaking as the contractor) requested Andersen Series 400 vinyl-clad wood double-hung windows with divided lights and asked to add a 12-inch overhang on portions of the roof to protect new windows. Board discussion focused on minimizing new overhangs on the main historic massing, and members recommended gutters on the addition where water currently cascades onto windows. The board approved replacement of the windows and authorized a gutter solution for the addition; the applicant was given the option to use a half‑round (historical) profile or a white metal gutter.

At 524 North Haines Street the board approved final façade treatment for a 40-foot shipping container to remain along Jackson Street. Applicant John Shell described a pine-board cladding, planters with confederate jasmine and a 6-foot fence/gate to screen a dumpster. The board approved the façade and fence as submitted.

The board granted final approval to a previously reviewed townhouse development at 150 South Balen Street (11 attached units of three types, three stories). Jordan Yi recused from that item; other board members approved the project as submitted.

In conceptual review the board approved a proposed two-story, roughly 11,200-square-foot Jewelers Trade Shop at 150 West Garden Street. Architect William Brantley said the design favors high‑quality, durable materials — fluted cast stone, travertine elements and large storefront windows — and that the store’s program and brand partners dictated a single primary entrance from the parking/auto court to meet security and concierge operations. Owner Corbett Davis and consultant Jesse (project team) emphasized security and customer access from the north parking area; board members and staff discussed the trade-off between security and the city’s objective to extend pedestrian activity along the Garden Street frontage. The board voted to approve the conceptual design.

Votes at a glance

- 510 E. Zaragoza — final approval for exterior alterations to convert from commercial to single-family residential (approved; voice vote). - 319 E. Gadsden — final approval of a 9' x 6.5' wood pergola (built without permit); board urged review of metal roof treatment (approved; voice vote). - 514 E. Government — approval to enclose existing carport with garage door option A (louvered look) (approved; voice vote). - 529 E. Government — approval for exterior alterations: new front door, rear 3-bay window, relocated side window, screened tankless water heater (approved; voice vote). - 14 E. Gonzales — approval for StormTech impact bifold colonial shutters on contributing structure; color approved as black/dark green, abbreviated review required for color changes (approved; voice vote). - 210 S. Alcony — approval to replace windows with Andersen Series 400 units and add gutters on the addition; overhangs on main massing discussed but not added (approved for windows and gutter on addition; voice vote). - 524 N. Haines — approval of façade treatment for 40-foot shipping container and fence/dumpster enclosure (approved; voice vote). - 150 S. Balen — final approval of 11-unit townhouse development (approved; voice vote; Board member Jordan Yi recused). - 150 W. Garden — conceptual approval for new Jewelers Trade Shop (conceptual approval; voice vote).

Why it matters

The applications affect multiple historic districts (Stork District, Old East Hill, Pensacola Historic District, North Hill and Palafox Historic Business District) and downtown streetscapes. Approvals restore or change building envelopes in conservation areas, clear some projects that were built without permits, and move forward a significant downtown commercial project that proponents say will replace asphalt parking with a landscaped courtyard and a flagship retail presence.

What comes next

Several approvals included follow‑up steps: an abbreviated review if colors change on the 14 East Gonzales shutter installation; vendors and applicants were reminded to finalize flashing and installation details (210 South Alcony windows); and the Jewelers Trade Shop team will continue record-level design and permitting. The board and staff encouraged applicants to work with planning staff on final construction details and city permit requirements.

Meeting notes

The board approved minutes and conducted the meeting in the presence of a quorum. Several applicants and board members emphasized that some work had been erected without permits; staff reiterated that code compliance (including building permits) remains required even when projects later receive ARB approval. The board asked applicants to consider long-term maintenance, proportionality of additions on historic massing and the visual treatment of modern materials on traditionally scaled houses.