ARC approves addition and new driveway at 1703 West Jaton with conditions

The Architectural Review Commission on Monday approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior repairs, a small addition and a new driveway at 1703 West Jaton Avenue in the Hyde Park Historic District.

The commission voted to allow a roughly 300–400-square-foot first-floor addition, restoration of a storm-damaged sunroom and a new curb cut and driveway intended to provide two off‑street parking spaces. The approval included conditions that the applicant coordinate material choices with staff, recess replacement windows to match existing reveals, provide a more architecturally sensitive gate design and replace a removed street tree.

The project team told commissioners that two hurricanes damaged the house’s side sunroom and a large lot tree, and that the owner intends to restore the sunroom to its prior form. Attorney Jamie Mayer, representing the applicant, said the team surveyed on‑site and alley parking options and concluded that rear‑yard parking would either fail code or would unduly convert the backyard to a paved service area. “The alley itself is not a great location for primary ingress and egress,” Mayer said, describing narrow turning radii and frequent blocking in the alley.

Architect George Lam described the changes as a modest addition to a 1½‑story contributing structure, retaining the existing garage and much of the backyard character. Lam said the proposed driveway would use paired “ribbon” paving with the original center pavers preserved, depressed granite curb returns and retaining walls to minimize visual impacts. He said the project team intends to match existing lap siding in wood; they also noted that, if deterioration is found during construction, the contractor may propose replacement materials such as fiber‑cement siding for skirt areas adjacent to grade and that staff would review any such substitutions.

Ron Vila, staff for historic preservation, recommended approval and walked commissioners through the block’s historic fabric and photos showing other properties on the same block with curb cuts and ribbon driveways. Vila told the commission the application was consistent with the Hyde Park design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards’ guidance on compatible scale and massing for new work adjacent to historic fabric.

Public comment was not offered on the item. Commissioners discussed the tradeoffs between preserving a continuous pedestrian streetscape and allowing the homeowner off‑street parking. Commissioner Carol Post opposed the driveway, saying a curb cut would “eliminate the public assets — the sidewalk continuity, the granite curb, a street tree — solely for the benefit of a single property owner.” Other commissioners said the proposed treatment fits the neighborhood’s existing pattern and that several conditions would mitigate negative impacts.

The commission’s approval includes these conditions: the architect must coordinate with staff regarding where Hardie (fiber‑cement) board may be used versus wood siding; window details must match existing profiles and be recessed into the 2x6 framing so the reveal matches historic windows; the gate design for the new driveway must be revised to be more compatible with the house’s character; and the street tree removed by storm damage must be replaced. The applicant agreed to the conditions on the record.

The commission closed the public portion of the hearing and approved the motion; the decision will allow the applicant to pursue required building permits and to work with staff on the specific details noted in the conditions.