Historic Preservation Commission approves Boertha’s Plant Parlor exterior repairs, allows rooftop planters with maintenance condition

A majority of the Delaware City Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously June 25 to approve a certificate of appropriateness for Boertha’s Plant Parlor at 24 East Winter Street, permitting exterior repainting, a small illuminated sign and a ground-level seating area, and allowing rooftop planter boxes on condition they be maintained or removed.

The application (2025-1902) covers a roughly 144-square-foot concrete block and brick addition at the rear of the Strand Theater building. Planning staff recommended approval of the repainting, a 7.5-square-foot externally illuminated sign and removable bistro seating and planters, but staff advised against support for a rooftop “hanging” plant display because the architectural standards contain no provision for hanging structures on a roof line. The commission nonetheless voted to permit planter boxes with the condition that they be removed if not maintained.

The commission’s vote followed a staff presentation explaining that the structure is previously painted brick and therefore repainting is allowed under the city architectural standards. Staff noted the applicant’s preferred color scheme — green on the lower two-thirds and ivory on the upper third — met the standards; an entirely ivory option was discouraged because it would show dirt faster. Staff also recommended demarcating the private parcel where the seating and planters would sit to avoid encroachment into adjacent parcels, suggesting movable measures such as decorative cones or planters.

Applicant Corey McCaffrey told the commission he was “very excited to bring the Boertha name back downtown,” referencing an historic ghost sign for Boertha that dates to at least 1915. McCaffrey described the planter installation as mounted planter boxes affixed to a horizontal surface and said he would be willing to cover a nearby gas meter with a decorative cover if Columbia Gas permitted it. “I am interested in covering the gas meter with a decorative cover,” McCaffrey said.

Commission discussion ranged from enthusiasm for adding color to a tucked-back lot to practical concerns about maintenance and adjacent private parking. One commissioner recommended a motion condition that the planters be removed if they were not kept up; that condition was added to the approving motion. Staff confirmed no building permits would be required for the approved items and that Diane (staff) would send the applicant a certificate of action after the meeting.

The decision distinguishes between items the commission approved and the rooftop display that staff said would normally require a variance because the architectural standards are silent on hanging roofline structures. The commission exercised its discretion to permit planter boxes but imposed the maintenance condition to address staff concerns about long-term upkeep.

With the certificate of action forthcoming, the applicant was told he may proceed with the approved exterior work without additional building permits. McCaffrey said he planned to open next Wednesday and provided the commission with social media handles for Boertha’s Plant Parlor.