Victorian Village commission approves marquee and garage, continues several COAs and gives feedback on large additions

The Victorian Village historic commission at a meeting on Aug. 13 approved an application to restore and install a marquee at the Garden Theatre and approved a new carriage‑house garage at 1042 Highland Street with clarifying conditions, recommended city approval for a program of benches and planters along High Street, and continued several other Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications to a later hearing for more drawings and material detail.

The commission voted to approve a proposed marquee and associated lighting for 187 North High Street, the Garden Theatre, after hearing the applicant describe a low‑wattage, low‑glare bulb and a matte finish on the underbelly intended to reduce pedestrian glare. Commissioners said the proposal and the additional documentation supplied since the prior hearing were sufficient to approve the work as submitted.

The commission also approved a proposal for a new garage and accessory structure at 1042 Highland Street (application listed as on the agenda and discussed under “application number 6”), subject to clarifications the commission asked staff to confirm before the COA issues: trim and casing dimensions around the new openings, the garage door specification (flat panel per the submittal), carriage lights and light type, the fence spacing and finish to match the adjacent neighbor, and final shop drawings for corner and trim boards. Staff and the applicant agreed to submit these as conditions for staff approval so construction permits can follow once those details are accepted.

Members recommended that the city grant the public‑realm permits (the city’s separate right‑of‑way approvals) for a Short North civic association program to place benches and planters at multiple locations along High Street between Goodale and Fifth Avenue. Staff reported the planters and benches…