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Historic board tables after‑the‑fact chimney removal at 723–725 West Third; allows applicant option to reconstruct
Summary
Madison Historic District Board of Review voted to table Rodney Pettit’s after‑the‑fact removal of chimneys at 723–725 West Third Street, offered the applicant the option to return with a reconstruction subject to staff review, and directed staff to pursue changes to contractor re‑registration for contractors found to have abused district rules.
The Madison Historic District Board of Review on an unanimous vote tabled consideration of an application concerning the removal of chimneys at 723–725 West Third Street and approved a separate, conditional motion allowing the applicant to reconstruct the chimney as it previously appeared with staff review.
The matter arose after property owner Rodney Pettit of Pettit Properties told the board that crews removed two dilapidated chimneys down to basement level during construction because they appeared unsafe. Pettit said he “didn’t think about the historical situation at the time” and called the removal his mistake.
The board’s discussion focused on whether the board could require a full reconstruction, a less‑onerous replacement that respected the historic roofline, or a faux chimney above the roof. Board members described the chimneys and corbels as important to the house’s profile and the historic district’s character. “Windows and chimneys and doors define a house,” one member said, noting that removing the chimney risked turning the house into “a box” in the historic streetscape.
Brenda (staff) and Brian Shaw, Madison’s building official, participated in the review. Staff told the board that the chimney work had already been done and that staff approval previously had been used for the windows on the property. Public commenter Happy Smith submitted a written statement with pre‑2023 and current photographs, noting the chimney’s corbeling and arguing the loss reduced the building’s historic character.
After discussion, the board voted to table the application to allow the applicant time to develop alternate proposals and materials samples. The board also approved a separate motion to grant immediate approval, subject to staff review, if Pettit elects to reconstruct the chimney exactly as it previously appeared above the roofline.
Separately, the board approved a motion to direct staff to begin a process with building and planning staff (Brian, Brenda and Nicole) to pursue a way to prevent automatic yearly reregistration of contractors who repeatedly “abuse the district.” That motion was raised after members said contractor work frequently “slips through the cracks.”
Votes at the meeting show all board members present voting in favor of the table and the conditional reconstruction option and approving the contractor‑registration referral. The board asked staff to provide guidance and subcommittee follow‑up on ordinance language for contractor registration.
The board left the item open and asked Pettit to return with proposed options — either a historically faithful reconstruction or a middle‑ground treatment that respects the roofline and the district’s design guidelines.
