Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Tax Certification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission denies noncontinuous "frog" walkway at 322 Lamar; conditions historic tax certification on restoration
Summary
The commission denied approval of a noncontinuous paver-and-gravel walkway at 322 Lamar Street and approved historic tax verification only after the applicant restores removed fish-scale siding and replaces the walkway with a continuous path.
The Historic and Design Review Commission on Sept. 3 denied approval of a recently installed noncontinuous walkway at 322 Lamar Street and made historic tax verification conditional on remediation of outstanding violations, including restoration of removed fish-scale siding on the building's gables.
Staff reported the walkway is composed of charcoal-gray concrete pavers set apart with white stone gravel (a so-called "frog" or noncontinuous paver layout) that extends across the left side of the front facade and connects to the driveway. Staff recommended replacement of that walkway with a continuous path matching the previous material and color; only if the walkway and other outstanding violations come into compliance did staff recommend approving historic tax certification.
A neighborhood representative, Lulu Francois, chairperson of the Dignity Hill Historic Neighborhood Review Committee, supported staff and asked that the fish-scale siding removed from the west-side gable be replaced before tax verification is issued. Francois said the fish-scale siding "is one of the details that made this house stand out" and recommended the applicant be treated consistently with previous cases.
Commissioner discussion focused on safety and historic accuracy. Commissioner Mazuka described the installed walkway as "treacherous" and unsuitable for pedestrian use. The commission voted to deny item 1 (the walkway as installed) and to approve item 2 (historic tax certification) with the stipulation that "all outstanding violations on the property be remedied prior to issuance of the verification," including reinstalling a continuous walkway and restoring fish-scale siding on all four gables.
Staff will verify compliance and requested before-and-after photographs; the commission recorded the motion and instructed staff to withhold tax verification until the stipulated work is completed.
Ending
The commission's action preserves a requirement that exterior changes in a historic district conform to previously approved materials and historic character before properties receive tax incentives. Staff will follow up with the property owner to document compliance prior to issuing the historic tax certification.
