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BAR approves new half-light doors for 102 South King Street with conditions
Summary
Following a site visit and staff analysis, the Leesburg Board of Architectural Review approved replacement doors with half‑light panels at 102 South King Street, requiring documentation and in‑kind trim matching and retention of existing doors on-site.
The Leesburg Board of Architectural Review on Aug. 6 approved, with conditions, replacement of the front doors at 102 South King Street to include glass in the upper panels.
Preservation staff reminded the board that the town’s guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards favor repair and in-kind replacement of historic materials, but allow sensitive, documented alterations when necessary. "Our guidelines have a clear preference for repairing historic material or material on historic buildings prior to replacement," staff told the board during the working session.
The applicant said the primary concern is safety and visibility for restaurant operations and that glass in the doors would allow staff to see people entering and exiting. The applicant noted existing doors are narrow (26 inches per leaf) and that a piece of trim had recently separated, underlining structural and safety concerns.
After discussion the BAR approved a motion that requires: retention and interior relocation of the existing doors on the property; documentation of the existing doors with photographs, measurements and trim details before removal; installation of new single- or double-leaf doors with half-light (upper-panel) glass; submittal of final door drawings/cut sheets to the preservation manager prior to purchase or prior to zoning/building permit application if a permit is required; and no alteration of the historic transom or door surround.
Don Scheuerman moved approval with conditions; Rick Brown seconded. The motion passed 5–0, with two members absent.
Board members recommended the applicant match the trim profile and door proportions as closely as practicable, and to consider darker (but not mirrored) glass if it achieves the operational goal while respecting the building’s exterior appearance. The preservation manager will review final door details administratively against the conditions set by the BAR.
