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Commission approves rear ramp, entrance and window changes at 306 Public Square with conditions
Summary
The commission approved a rear ADA ramp, entrance alteration, window restoration and lighting at 306 Public Square (F. W. Truett Junior Building) with conditions, while staff and building reviewers noted a property-line survey must be resolved before permits can be issued.
The Historic Zoning Commission on Jan. 13 approved alterations to the rear of 306 Public Square, including a 14-foot-by-19-foot wooden ADA ramp, entrance and window alterations and the addition of gooseneck lighting, subject to staff conditions.
Staff described the building as a circa-1901 two-story brick commercial structure (the F. W. Truett Junior Building). The proposed ramp will be painted to match the trim color and will extend 14 feet from the rear; staff said the ramp location is appropriate given limited alternative locations but must not encroach into the public alley or closer than five feet to property lines in the downtown district. Staff recommended approval with conditions and noted some measurements (for the widened door opening and the transom’s historic status) were not provided.
The city’s engineering director submitted a letter stating the alley width is 18 feet and that the engineering department believed the ramp would not encroach on the public alley. Greg Gamble, representing the applicant, and Brian Fox of Interior Architects said the surveyor determined the alley is 18 feet wide and that the deed language about the rear property line is ambiguous; Gamble said, “we believe that we'll get it figured out,” and the team agreed to return if ownership or dimensions require changes.
Jared Carter of Building and Neighborhood Services told the commission that until the property-line issue is resolved the department "cannot issue any permits for that." He also noted staff must confirm whether the ramp is required by code and asked for scope clarification at permit stage.
Commissioners moved to approve the project with staff conditions; a voice vote carried and the chair announced the ayes had it. The applicant confirmed agreement with staff’s condition to retain the existing transom if it is historic and to match the replacement door to the existing transom.
Why it matters: The decision clears the way for an ADA access solution for a century-old downtown commercial building while flagging the need to resolve property-line documentation before building permits are issued.
Next steps: Applicant will resolve deed/survey questions and submit required survey and permit documents; Building and Neighborhood Services will not issue permits until property-line and scope questions are resolved.
