Architectural Review Board denies request to remove chimneys at 1233 South Upholstery

The Montgomery City Architectural Review Board on Oct. 12 denied a Certificate of Appropriateness application to remove chimneys at 1233 South Upholstery in the Garden District, concluding the chimneys are an important historic element and that the photos provided show repairable conditions.

The petitioner, identified in the meeting as Mr. Hernandez, asked to remove chimneys on the house. Board members examined packets of photographs and discussed the condition. Board member Hillary Morgan said she saw no immediate life-safety issue in the images and described the chimneys as a historic element "essential for this house." Morgan and other members recommended cleaning, repointing, and installing proper flashing before considering removal. Warren, a staff member, and other board members agreed that the photos showed repairable maintenance issues rather than structural failure.

Laura Callaway, representing the Garden District Preservation Association, urged the board to preserve the chimneys unless they posed a safety hazard. After public comment, a board member moved to deny the application "as submitted" on the grounds that the chimneys are an architectural element and a defining feature of the house; another board member seconded. The motion carried; specific vote counts were not recorded in the transcript.

Chair Elizabeth Brown told the petitioner he could reapply if he later obtained a professional inspection documenting structural failure or photographs showing a safety hazard. The board’s decision leaves in place the existing chimneys and requires the applicant to pursue repairs if removal is to be reconsidered.