Florence board approves new windows at Thompson's Barber College with wall-repair condition
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Summary
The Florence City design-review board approved installation of new windows at Thompson’s Barber College, 218 N. Dargan St., but required an evaluation and repair plan for a deteriorating north wall and noted a city easement protecting a mural.
The Florence City design-review board approved installation of undivided windows at Thompson’s Barber College, 218 North Dargan Street, with a condition that the building's north wall be evaluated and repaired and that the building department sign off on technical work, board members said at a public hearing.
Board members and staff said the applicant sought the windows to bring natural light into classrooms at the rear of the building and asked to repaint a faded white portion of the wall. Planning staff recommended limiting repainting near a mural, because the city holds an easement on part of that wall and the mural must not be damaged.
The board’s decision matters because the building sits in the city’s historic overlay district and the north wall carries a mural protected by an easement. Staff said the mural material is adhered to the wall (not painted directly on the brick) and that repainting across the mural area could harm it. A staff speaker said, “We definitely don't want the mural damaged in any way.”
During discussion, board members and staff described structural and material concerns on the north wall: what appears to be an old interior wall now exposed to the elements, large areas of brick shelling, and plant growth. Several members said simple sealing would not provide long-term protection. One member said paint provides far better UV protection than a sealer, and others described examples nearby where bricks were repointed and stuccoed to form a lasting building envelope.
Board members agreed the windows themselves would improve the building’s appearance and provide the requested light. They noted, however, that the recessed profile of the rear wall (a double layer of brick in places) may make the new windows look uneven unless the outer layer is repaired or removed so window frames can be set consistently. A board member said the brick will need repair before the windows are installed so the openings are set uniformly.
The motion to approve the window installation was made by Mister Pageant and seconded by another board member. The motion approved the application “as submitted with the caveat that they need to have the wall evaluated on how to properly apply the paint,” and required that the building department approve the technical work. The board noted the city can grant the applicant permission to work within the easement up to the point where the mural ends. The motion passed by voice vote; the board indicated unanimous assent and directed staff to issue the certificate.
Throughout the hearing staff recommended limiting repainting immediately adjacent to the mural and instead focusing on surface preparation and repair so any painting or finish adheres and endures. Staff also suggested the applicant consider grants to help pay for wall repair. The board asked staff to provide printed design standards at the next meeting; staff said those will be available for members at the following meeting. The board indicated it will meet again on August 13.
The action leaves three conditions recorded by the board: (1) approval of the windows as submitted, (2) evaluation and appropriate repair or preparation of the north wall before finish work, and (3) building-department approval of the technical specifications for the window installation.
