Canal Winchester Landmarks Commission approves four exterior-change applications, sets conditions for larger renovation

The Canal Winchester Landmarks Commission on Sept. 22 approved four certificates of appropriateness for exterior work in the city—s historic district, voting unanimously on each item and adding conditions for a larger renovation at 198 Highland Ave.

The most contested request was for 52 Clinton St., where the property owner asked the commission to allow a horizontal 6-inch lap siding on the garage side elevation even though the home—s earlier approval called for vertical board-and-batten returns to continue around the front elevations. The applicant told the commission the horizontal siding was installed after corrected plans had been submitted to the city and that the mismatch was an unintentional processing error. "Everybody thinks it looks really nice and thinks it looks good for the time period and matches the appeal of what the zoning is looking for," the applicant said.

Commission members discussed the risk of setting a precedent that could allow later-built departures from approved materials, but members who viewed the installed siding in person said it did not appear incompatible with the house or streetscape. The commission approved the certificate "as built," noting the circumstance appeared to be an unintentional error and that staff should review internal checks so similar oversights are caught earlier.

At 20 North Trine St., the commission approved the removal of the side porch railings, the relocation and installation of decorative gooseneck light fixtures, and the addition of a decorative wood trim piece on the front and rear upper gables. The homeowner said painters will repair and paint exposed trim after the railing removal. The application was approved as presented.

For 37 East Mound St., the commission approved replacement of the front-porch roofing with an onyx-black dimensional asphalt shingle, with conditions requiring wood fascia and soffit (no metal wrap), K-style gutters to match the primary roof, and retention or matching replacement of the decorative metal ridge cap if the original cannot be reinstalled. A contractor—s representative said the roof on the porch is a pressing maintenance issue and that some specialty metal work has been difficult to source; commissioners generally favored keeping or replacing the decorative cap to match the upper roof.

The commission also approved a multi-item application for 198 Highland Ave.: removal of existing vinyl siding and installation of Allura textured fiber-cement lap siding (an 8.25-inch profile with an approximate 7-inch reveal), correction or replacement of several windows, addition of downspouts and underground pop-up drains, and replacement of the front concrete patio with a paver patio. The commission—s conditions specify 1-by-6 Allura exterior window and door casings, a three-piece casing with a wood sill (and optional apron), simulated divided-lights to match the existing upper gable 4-over-4 pattern if windows are replaced, four locations for downspout drainage, and approval of a charcoal or lighter paver color. The applicant—s contractor and commission members discussed concerns about flashing, existing flashing failure, and the need for cohesive trim and window treatment across the house.

Votes at a glance - CA25-040 (52 Clinton St.): Approved as built. Vote: unanimous (commissioners present recorded as voting yes). - CA25-041 (20 N. Trine St.): Approved as presented. Vote: unanimous. - CA25-042 (37 E. Mound St.): Approved with conditions requiring wood fascia/soffit, K-style gutters, and retention/replacement of a metal ridge cap. Vote: unanimous. - CA25-043 (198 Highland Ave.): Approved with multiple conditions: Allura 8.25" siding (approx. 7" reveal), 1x6 Allura casings, 3-piece casing and wood sill, simulated divided lites for replacement windows (4-over-4 look), four downspout drain locations, and paver patio (charcoal or lighter). Vote: unanimous.

Other business and next steps - An application for 17 Scribe St. was postponed at the applicant—s request; the contractor is still preparing materials. - Staff updated commissioners on ongoing zoning-code work focused on new mixed-use and residential districts for Old Town; commissioners were asked to monitor proposed boundary and rule changes for future review.

The commission—s approvals are limited to the exterior changes described in the applications and to the conditions the commission attached. Any building-permit or code compliance requirements remain subject to separate administrative review by city staff.