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HEP board approves new single‑family house on a long‑vacant lot at 701 NW 9th Ave.; archaeological monitoring required
Summary
The board granted a special certificate of appropriateness for a new, modern single‑family house at 701 Northwest Ninth Avenue on a historically vacant lot, subject to conditions including archaeological monitoring during ground‑disturbing work and documentation about an on‑site coral rubble pile.
The Historic and Environmental Preservation Board voted to approve new construction of a single‑family residence at 701 Northwest Ninth Avenue, a parcel the staff identified as historically vacant within the Spring Garden Historic District. Approval was unanimous and carried standard conditions including archaeological monitoring during ground‑disturbing work, submittal of manufacturer product literature at permitting, and a requirement that glass visible from the right of way be clear or low‑E.
Preservation planner Adrian Espinosa presented the project, noting the site contains three mature live oaks the design preserves and that about 60% of the lot will remain open greenspace. Plans show an elevated ground floor, a stair entry sequence that also accesses a rooftop deck, and a wood‑louvered screen on the street façade. Staff recommended approval with conditions and also asked for clarification about a pile of coral rock rubble on site — whether the pile would be maintained as landscape material or replaced by a structurally sound wall.
The applicant’s architect described the structure as a contemporary, low‑height house that aims to preserve the canopy and avoid excessive site disturbance. Board members praised the tree retention and the choice of materials; one member suggested breaking the louvers into operable segments to improve solar control and ventilation, a suggestion the architect accepted for further refinement.
Key conditions included: archaeological monitoring during all ground‑disturbing activities, clear or low‑E glass on elevations visible from the public right of way, and documentation at permitting whether the on‑site coral rock rubble pile will remain or be replaced with a structurally sound wall behind any required fence. The board approved the certificate with staff conditions.
The decision is appealable to the hearing board within 15 days. Staff said the project team will include the board’s resolution in the master permit set and coordinate the archaeological monitoring plan with the state and local tribal consultative processes.
