The Historic District Commission held the application for 17 Eat Fire Spring after commissioners and staff recommended design changes to reduce formality and bright white trim on a rural/cottage-style house.

Architect William (Bill) Massey presented revisions that replaced dark storm windows with white trim and proposed additional porch details intended to improve proportions. Massey said he had been asked to review window replacement, trim, siding and roofing and to propose a roof design that would make an open porch function as a weather-protected roof deck.

Commissioners said the new white trim and a proposed set of double columns made the house read as more formal than nearby simpler buildings. Commissioner Joe Paul and Commissioner Angus McLeod recommended a darker, more muted color—"a platinum gray or some other light gray"—and urged toning down the porch detailing. Paul suggested removing some railings on the first floor, and McLeod encouraged keeping materials and colors simpler so the house better fits the rural context.

Massey said the homeowner preferred a gray house with white trim but was open to revisions; the architect agreed to return with adjusted colors and simplified porch elements. The commission voted to hold for revisions so the applicant could resubmit materials showing subdued trim or alternate gray tones, fewer or simplified porch details, and fewer or differently styled windows where commissioners had indicated concern.

The motion to hold passed by roll call.