HARB approves partial demolition and elevation plan at 39 East Park Avenue to raise house out of floodplain

The Historic Architecture Review Board on Sept. 18 voted to approve a partial demolition and elevation plan for 39 East Park Avenue (application HP2025‑0058), allowing the applicant to raise the wood‑frame, vernacular residence out of the floodplain by replacing the existing block foundation with a new masonry first floor.

Staff described the house as a contributing resource to the Fullerwood Park Residential National Register Historic District and said the structure’s current finished floor elevation (FFE) is between about 6.79 and 6.92 feet; the city’s required FFE for new or substantially improved structures in that zone is 9 feet. The applicant proposed a new finished floor elevation of 9.3 feet and presented two exterior‑cladding options: a masonry stucco first floor to differentiate the new foundation, or continuing existing wood siding down to the new first floor. The plan proposes new 1‑over‑1 windows to match existing and an expanded second‑story balcony where the entry porch was.

The applicant, Kenneth Lewis, said repeated flooding and recent high tides motivated the elevation; a nearby resident and neighbors spoke in support, saying the block frequently floods and that other homes in the area have been raised. Board members acknowledged the neighborhood’s flood issues and supported the applicant’s effort to keep historic fabric while mitigating flood risk. Commissioners recommended the cable‑style railing because it preserves sightlines and noted the stucco base with lap siding above was an acceptable material approach.

Motion and vote: The board approved partial demolition and the elevation plan (HP2025‑0058) with a condition that the owner may raise the finished floor up to 10 feet if desired; the board recommended the cable railing system for the new second‑story balcony. The motion carried unanimously (recorded votes: Catherine Duncan — yes; Paul Weaver — yes; Eric McDonald — yes; Randall Rourke — yes; Brad Beach — yes).

Staff noted that while elevation is a viable flood‑mitigation strategy for historic structures, inappropriate design can affect contributing status and that the HARB should determine whether the altered design maintains the structure’s ability to contribute to the historic district in a future update. The board’s approval includes direction that final material and railing choices will be reviewed during the certificate‑of‑appropriateness and permit processes.