Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation Windows topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic Preservation Commission approves COA for upper‑story windows at 510 Southeast Riverside Drive
Summary
The Evansville City Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness to replace one upper‑story window at 510 Southeast Riverside Drive, Apartment A, after hearing applicant Philip Lieberman and discussing guidelines, materials and precedent.
The Evansville City Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for replacement of an upper‑story window at 510 Southeast Riverside Drive, Apartment A, during its Sept. 10 meeting.
Philip Lieberman, the applicant, told the commission he is seeking to replace one or more second‑floor windows and presented supplemental photos and physical samples to illustrate the proposed appearance. “Economics. It would be longevity and the cost. And it's an economic benefit for me to replace the windows instead of having them repaired,” Lieberman said, adding the replacement windows would present “the same appearance as, for example, the windows on the Olin Block.”
The commission discussed the proposal against the city’s preservation guidance and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Commissioners noted the guidelines recommend repair over replacement where feasible and list metal or vinyl cladding and non‑matching muntin profiles as generally “not recommended.” Commissioners also discussed precedent, the visibility of the windows from the public way and whether the windows are on a primary façade. Several members said national trends and seminar guidance show some preservation bodies increasingly allow alternative materials on non‑primary façades.
Commissioners and staff debated material details raised by the application: whether the proposed units are hollow aluminum, aluminum clad over wood, or aluminum‑clad wood with a wood interior. Lieberman said the product was marketed as “standard enduro clad,” and that from a visual standpoint the muntins and overall appearance would match the building’s historic character from the public way. Commissioners agreed the visual design in photo #2 (the flat, white muntin profile) was less conspicuous from street distance and more in keeping with the building’s appearance.
Commissioner Hoover moved to approve the application as submitted referencing photo #2 for upper‑story side and rear windows on the multifamily structure; the motion was seconded and a roll call was taken. The transcript does not include a detailed vote tally; the commission proceeded after the roll call and the applicant thanked the commission.
The commission’s discussion emphasized that approvals are made on a case‑by‑case basis and that approving this COA does not automatically change past rulings. Staff said they would provide additional documentation to the applicant about product specifications.
The commission’s action applies to the specific design presented at the meeting: replacement windows consistent with the photo #2 sample for the second‑story side/rear window at 510 Southeast Riverside Drive, Apartment A. Vote tally and detailed roll‑call votes were not specified in the meeting transcript.
