Commission clears Hardie siding at 729 Weingartner, tables entry overhangs and issues conditional window approvals

The Newport Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 15 approved replacement of aluminum siding at 729 Weingartner with a cement-fiber (Hardie) siding product, but tabled a decision on proposed entry overhangs until underlying historic siding can be revealed. The commission also issued conditional approvals for windows on different elevations of the property.

Staff described 729 Weingartner as a circa-1905 Northern Kentucky shotgun residence that was surveyed as contributing to the East Row Historic District. The house has been heavily altered, including aluminum siding over original wood; staff said some original wood siding likely remains underneath and that reveal measurements taken by the applicant were about 5.25 inches (pre-overlap) but that historically appropriate reveals are often 4 inches.

Applicant Mark Thackeray, who told the commission he is pursuing rehabilitation tax credits and has repaired foundation and structural issues, proposed three elements: (1) wood overhangs or hoods above doors, (2) removal of artificial siding and installation of Hardie horizontal lap siding (with vertical application in the gable to be determined), and (3) replacement of existing non-original vinyl windows with a wood aluminum-clad window on the primary elevation and vinyl or substitute materials on secondary elevations.

On siding, the commission voted to approve Hardie siding with conditions that the reveal match the original siding uncovered beneath the aluminum, that the smooth side of the panel face outward, and that the applicant work with staff on details once the siding is removed. The commission explicitly noted precedent for Hardie in other cases and found the substitute material sufficiently realistic when installed correctly.

On awnings/overhangs, commissioners said there was insufficient documented evidence that a historic overhang or portico existed. The commission chose to table the overhang/awning portion of the application until the aluminum siding is removed and staff can verify what, if any, historic trim or overhangs existed. Staff advised that if evidence of a historic hood is found on uncovering, the applicant could return with documentation or receive staff-level approval if conditions are met.

On windows, the commission made a separate conditional motion covering multiple elevations: the primary (front) facade must receive a wood window (no aluminum cladding), the first window closest to the sidewalk on the secondary facade may be fiberglass or aluminum-clad wood, and the remainder of secondary-elevation windows may be vinyl or a higher-quality substitute material (fiberglass, clad wood) subject to Kentucky Heritage Council requirements for state rehabilitation tax credits. The motion specified that staff may approve upgrades (for example, vinyl upgraded to fiberglass or clad wood) to comply with SHPO/KY Heritage Council requirements without returning to the commission, but the commission would not permit downgrades to materials worse than what the motion authorized.

Votes on the siding approval, the tabling of the awning, and the conditional windows approval were unanimous.

Commissioners and staff discussed technical and preservation concerns: whether to install Hardie over existing siding (applicant preferred to leave substrate in place but staff noted warranty, substrate and reveal impacts and recommended removal or a staff review after uncovering), the need for new 5/4 trim boards, and the importance of matching any uncovered historic gable siding pattern (e.g., fish-scale shingles) when revealed.

The commission said staff will follow up via email with the applicant to document conditions and next steps.

This set of actions affects a property actively undergoing rehabilitation and clarifies how substitute siding and mixed window materials will be treated in cases where original fabric is partially extant or absent.