Historic Preservation Commission recommends approval for bathroom addition at Gall residence (EBY24-063)

Coupeville, Washington — On Jan. 9, 2025, the Eby's Landing National Historical Reserve Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of a certificate of appropriateness for application EBY24-063, a bathroom addition and limited exterior alterations at the Gall residence. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

The commission's staff presentation described the project as a 17-by-6.5-foot full bathroom addition to the south side of an existing single-family house, together with two exterior window changes (one on the first floor and one on the second). Staff said the addition is roughly 102 square feet, would use wood siding to match the existing building, vinyl windows, and composite-shingle roofing, and that the altered elevations would be largely obscured from public view by an existing barn and roadside vegetation. Reserve staff also noted the house is outside the shoreline buffer and about 660 feet from the nearest public road.

The commission framed its review around the Eby's Landing National Historical Reserve Design Guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Reserve staff member Yumi told commissioners, "Even if this was still a contributing structure, I think that this addition is an appropriate addition." The staff analysis concluded the project fits guideline sections addressing alterations and small additions (cited in the staff report as 4.2.81, 4.3.1, and 4.3.2) because the changes are modest, use compatible materials, and will not be visually prominent from public vantage points.

No members of the public spoke at the hearing. The public comment period for the application closed on Jan. 8, 2025; staff reported no written comments were received. During discussion, commissioners asked about the building's age and original fabric. Staff located the inventory sheet indicating construction around 1925 and said the house was listed as non‑contributing in the current inventory because of later material and fenestration changes.

Commissioner Marshall Bronson moved to "recommend approval of the certificate of appropriateness based on the staff report, the evidence presented, comments made at the public meeting and finding application number EBY24-063 to be consistent with Eby's Landing National Historic Reserve Design guidelines." Commissioner Kevin Turkington seconded. Chair Bishop and Commissioners Catherine Baxter and Kay Adams voted aye; the motion passed unanimously.

The commission's recommendation means the application will move forward consistent with the reserve's review process; staff and the applicant will implement any conditions attached to the certificate if the recommending authority or final approver adopts the commission's recommendation.

Details recorded in the staff report include the project's location along Scenic Heights Road with access from Windermere Lane, its designation as within Review Area 1 of the reserve, and that the structures on the parcel lie outside the shoreline buffer. Materials and window dimensions shown in the application: proposed upper window 6-by-4 feet and lower proposed window roughly 3-by-4 feet (exact specifications in the application materials).