Board allows simulated shake and architectural shingle options for Fulton Avenue Tudor roof

The Compliance and Technical Advisory Board approved staff recommendations Friday allowing replacement of the existing wood shake roof at 1320 Fulton Avenue with a material that matches the original in scale, color, texture, profile and dimension, including simulated cedar-shake products and some architectural asphalt shingles presented to the board.

Homeowner Valerie Baez told commissioners the wood shake was the principal aesthetic reason her family purchased the Tudor-style house in 2003, but that the roof is old, leaking light into the attic and allowing entry by animals. Baez said she has received multiple estimates for replacement and that full wood shake replacement could exceed $100,000. She presented a range of bids for alternative materials: an out‑of‑state estimate of about $57,000 for a synthetic shake product (provided as an “eagle‑eye” estimate without a site visit), a Fry Roofing in‑person estimate of $70,000–$80,000 for a simulated product, a Precision Construction estimate near $34,000 for a Grand Sequoia product, a Timberland product estimate around $45,000, and lower architectural-shingle bids from local contractors in the $21,000–$31,000 range.

Staff told the board the city’s guidelines do not require maintaining cedar shake where it is not feasible and that synthetic products that replicate shadow lines and dimensionality have been approved in other cases. Staff recommended the board accept replacement with a material that matches the existing roof in scale, color, profile and dimension while giving the applicant flexibility to pursue the product that best meets those criteria. The board’s motion approved staff’s recommendation with the stipulation that replacement material match the listed attributes; the motion also explicitly allowed consideration of the product samples and options presented during the hearing.

Board members and staff discussed life‑span and weight differences among materials. A staff member said a 50‑year expected service life was associated with some synthetic shake products; commissioners noted that asphalt architectural shingles typically do not carry a “lifetime” manufacturer warranty and advised Baez to verify warranties, weight and structural decking requirements with contractors. Several commissioners recommended that Baez also check with her insurer, noting recent storm and flooding claims and that an insurance claim could affect the replacement cost net of a deductible.

Baez asked whether any city financial assistance might be available; staff said the city does not provide direct roofing grants, but local nonprofits such as the Conservation Society offer building grants in the fall and the city’s substantial rehabilitation tax incentive may provide long‑term property tax relief for qualifying investments.

Vote: the motion passed 7–1 (Commissioner Garcia voted no). The board directed the applicant to work with staff on color selection and permitting and authorized staff to process permits consistent with the board’s approved criteria.