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Commission recommends reversible coverings for rear and side windows on proposed downtown mini‑mart
Summary
After an architecture‑review presentation, the Planning Commission recommended staff allow the applicant to cover certain side and rear windows with fire‑treated, reversible materials to protect existing historic fabric while enabling a planned mini‑mart conversion.
The St. Helens Planning Commission recommended that staff approve an architecture‑review application for a proposed mini‑mart conversion that would cover existing side and rear windows with nonpermanent materials, provided those coverings are reversible and do not remove historic fabric.
The project architect told commissioners the plan calls for exterior sheathing of the side and rear openings with fire‑treated lumber and plywood, finished with fiber cement. He said the coverings are intended to protect the original steel windows from vandalism and weather while preserving the underlying material for possible future restoration.
“The intent is to cover them over. If somebody in the future does decide they want to maybe they buy the property next door and there is no longer this party wall question… maybe they will open them back up and they can be used and they can they can still be the historic windows will still be there,” the architect said, explaining the proposal.
Staff and commissioners discussed whether the architectural guidelines’ references to “facade” apply to windows on non‑street‑facing walls. The applicant and planning staff argued the policy intent is to protect street‑facing character and that rear/side windows that face a service area or parking lot carry a different public‑character weight. Commissioners who supported the plan emphasized the coverings should be reversible and leave the original openings intact.
A motion that the commission recommend approval to staff with the proviso that any coverings be reversible and not damage the existing window fabric was moved, seconded and approved; commissioners also encouraged the applicant to document the existing windows with photographs for the local museum archive.
Votes at a glance: Planning commission moved and seconded a recommendation to staff to allow the coverings if they are reversible and preserve the historic fabric; the motion carried on voice vote.
