Commission approves demolition of existing garage and construction of smaller replacement at 1140 Harrison Avenue

The Victorian Village Commission approved two separate certificates of appropriateness for 1140 Harrison Avenue: (a) demolition of the existing garage and (b) construction of a new, smaller single-story garage roughly 22 feet by 29 feet 4 inches, as presented by the applicant.

Staff presented the two-part application and recommended approval under city code standards for demolition (city code 3116.14) and for new construction (city code 3116.12), and under the Victorian Village guidelines on windows, doors and roofs. Staff noted the structure previously received approval in 2019 for a two-story carriage house under COA DASH19-12-006B; the current proposal is smaller than that earlier approval and is similar in scale to neighboring garages. The commission was reminded that because this is a demolition followed by new construction, two separate motions were required.

The applicant’s homeowner described pandemic-related delays since the 2019 approval and said they were seeking a smaller-footprint garage that would better accommodate a tree in the yard. A design representative discussed trying to preserve the tree and produce a simple rectangular footprint. Commissioners discussed garage door configuration (single large door versus two doors), window spacing to match the house’s facade and proximity to the alley/right-of-way. One commissioner advised the applicants to check with the building and zoning office about setbacks and any variances before proceeding.

The commission approved the demolition motion and then approved the new-construction motion with recommended conditions: that facade windows on the home-facing elevation be re-spaced to provide in-line spacing between individual windows, and that applicants and staff verify right-of-way and setback details with building and zoning before certificate issuance. The transcript records voice votes and did not include individual roll-call tallies.

Materials and finishes described by the applicant include board-and-batten and smooth siding, a smooth-finish garage door, a half-light two-panel door with glass, 3-tab ceramic shingles in a “nickel gray” color, and paints described by the applicant as “Downing slate” and “Downing sand.” Staff also suggested minor adjustments to the plan to provide additional clearance from the adjacent tree and to avoid roof projections overhanging the right-of-way line.

Staff will require clarifying materials and any necessary variance documentation before issuing the certificate.