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Historic commission approves rear-yard balcony replacement with flat roof modification
Summary
The El Paso Historic Landmark Commission approved replacing a rear-yard balcony/accessory structure with a simpler replacement, conditioning approval on changing a proposed gable roof to a flat roof to limit alterations to the historic property.
The El Paso Historic Landmark Commission voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness to remove and replace a rear-yard balcony/accessory structure, with a required modification that the new roof be flat rather than the proposed gable roof.
Staff recommended approval of the replacement with the modification, saying the alteration is at the rear of the property and therefore appropriate if it follows the commission's design standards and the Secretary of the Interior standards. The commission adopted the recommendation after the applicant's representative said the applicant would accept the change.
Staff described the proposal as a pared-down replacement of a currently ornate metal-front fence and balcony. “And what she wants to construct is actually something very similar but pared down. So it's not as ornate as the document that we saw before with that very ornate metal work in the front of the fence and everything. It's, like I said, toned down…just putting a new balcony…that I assume is going to be stronger and just in better condition and replacing it,” a staff member said. The staff member advised modifying the roof form, recommending a flat or shed roof “to limit the alteration to the existing roof” so the addition remains compatible with the house and the district.
The staff presentation cited the El Paso Historic District design guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, stressing that additions on rear elevations are generally acceptable when they do not conceal or remove character-defining features and when new work is differentiated from the old. The staff member also noted the existing roofing on the structure appears to be rolled roofing and that the current fencing and wood need repair or replacement.
Ricardo Arguelles, speaking on behalf of applicant Liana Archuleta, said the applicant had no objection to the recommended roof modification. “As long as all plans and everything is, in conformance with the historic district, I mean, I…we're good with the,” he said.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation with the modification that the roof be flat passed on the floor with all members present voting in favor.
The commission moved on to the next agenda items after the vote.
