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Historic District Review Board denies unauthorized glass storefront at 216 Old Santa Fe Trail
Summary
The Historic Districts Review Board voted to deny an after‑the‑fact alteration that replaced a divided‑light storefront with a single large glass opening at 216 Old Santa Fe Trail and asked staff to pursue enforcement.
The Historic Districts Review Board voted on Feb. 11 to deny an application that sought retroactive approval for a single large glass storefront, removed massing beneath window openings and added a canvas awning at 216 Old Santa Fe Trail.
Board staff told members the property is a noncontributing structure in the Downtown and East Side Historic District but that the recent change—created without permits—removed required massing beneath divided‑light windows and introduced glazing above the allowed ratio for that façade. Lanny, historic preservation staff, said staff “finds that the exception criteria ... have not been met and recommends denial.”
The board’s denial matters because a stop‑work order and notice of violation have already been issued. The city attorney and staff told the board municipal enforcement is a parallel track to this land‑use decision: if the property owner does not return the façade to its approved state, a municipal citation and court action are possible. The board recorded a motion to adopt staff findings and deny the exception request; Member Bienvenu moved, Ayla Medrano seconded, and the motion passed by roll call (Beechek: yes; Degnan: yes; Bienvenu: yes; Aguilar Medrano: yes).
Members and public commenters urged the board to require a return to the 2016 approved elevation, which included divided‑light windows and a header with massing below windows. Public commenter Stephanie Benonato said the 2016 design “is totally appropriate for the streetscape” and criticized the current continuous display glass for eroding pedestrian scale.
The board’s action does not remove the owner’s right to appeal to the governing body. Staff said they will also pursue municipal enforcement proceedings while any land‑use appeal is pending. The motion that carried included direction to staff to proceed with enforcement steps to seek compliance with the board’s standards.
The denial preserves the board’s stated design standards for window size, massing and divided lights along Old Santa Fe Trail and sets the matter on a potential enforcement path through municipal court if not corrected.
