Historic commission approves reduced cover over front steps at 310 N. Avenue D for safety, directs staff to finalize design

Historic Preservation commissioners on the Boise City Historic Preservation Commission approved a reduced cover over the front steps at 310 North Avenue D, directing staff to work with the applicant to revise the design to be smaller in scale and reversible.

Staff had recommended denial, saying the house did not historically have a porch in that specific location and that adding one would create a "false sense of historical development." Richard (staff) told the commission: "Therefore, staff recommends denial." The applicant and design team said the cover was needed to protect an 81‑year‑old homeowner from slipping on exposed stairs in winter.

The applicant, Garrett of Design by Slate, told the commission, "The proposed front porch addition addresses a critical safety need" and said the homeowner has lived at the address since the mid‑1970s. Garrett said the design was intended only to cover the existing steps and that the team matched materials and scale to the house. The applicant and builder representatives said the proposed construction is relatively inexpensive and that small footings and minimal attachment would make later removal feasible.

Commissioners debated the competing goals of preservation and safety. Several commissioners agreed with staff that a full porch in that location would conflict with the Secretary of the Interior's standards. Other commissioners expressed sympathy for the homeowner’s safety needs and proposed compromises — smaller shed or gable covers, lower height, limited overhangs, or detachable posts — to reduce the visual impact and increase reversibility.

After discussion, Commissioner Owens moved to approve application DRH25‑00156 "with a redesign to the cover of the front door, reducing it in scale, lowering it in height, and ensuring that the design just covers the front stairs and is as reversible as the design can be, with the supervision and approval of staff." Commissioner Montoto seconded. The roll call was Montoto Aye, Malloy Aye, Parks Nay, Owens Aye, Sales Aye, Moore Aye. The motion carried 5‑1.

The commission’s approval requires the applicant to work with city staff to produce a minimized, reversible design that covers only the stairs and meets staff’s oversight criteria. Commissioners discussed options such as a shorter shed or gable roof, minimizing posts and overhangs, and making the attachment reversible so the house’s historic fabric could be restored if needed.

The commission reopened the public hearing during deliberations to allow the applicant to clarify cost and design constraints; the applicant said elderly homeowner budget and limited construction cost were factors in selecting the initial design but that the team was open to redesign.

The decision is final from the commission; interested parties were told appeal rights to the city council (filed within 10 days) at the start of the hearing.

Votes at a glance DRH25‑00156 (310 North Avenue D) — Motion to approve with staff‑supervised redesign to reduce scale and ensure reversibility: Passed 5–1 (Montoto, Malloy, Owens, Sales, Moore — Aye; Parks — Nay).