Commission of Architectural Review: key votes and outcomes from May meeting

Richmond — The Commission of Architectural Review approved a series of routine and contested items during its May 2025 meeting, sending two historic‑district nomination changes to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and taking final action on multiple building and site‑alteration applications.

The most consequential votes were on two National Register nomination amendments and a cluster of staff‑recommended certificate of appropriateness (COA) applications. The commission also deferred two items that raised policy or technical questions: an aluminum storefront replacement on East Marshall Street and a digital monument sign at St. James Episcopal Church on West Franklin Street.

What the commission approved

- Main Street Banking historic district boundary decrease and nomination update: The commission voted to concur with staff and forward a recommended approval letter to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). The amendment extended the period of significance through 1976, removed a demolished building at 703 E. Main, and reclassified 705–711 E. Main Street as contributing for early modern architecture. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Sherpa and seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez; commissioners recorded yes votes including Easterling, Greer, Moore, Nutt, Rodriguez and Stripler.

- Chanco Valley / Tobacco Row boundary increase and period extension: The commission recommended approval of a boundary increase and a period of significance extended to 1967, adding multiple contributing and non‑contributing resources to the district inventory. Two commissioners announced they would abstain from this vote; the motion passed with recorded yes votes from Greer, Moore, Nutt and Rodriguez and others.

- Multiple COAs and consent agenda items: The commission approved the modified consent agenda (items listed on the meeting agenda). On the regular agenda staff‑recommended approvals included final review approvals for infill and new construction projects at 2206 Jefferson Avenue (Union Hill), 3023/3025 East Franklin (infill duplexes), and rear/addition and window projects at 3422 East Broad and 15 West Lee Street. The commission also approved a slate/copper roof substitution at 2625 Monument Avenue and approved composite replacement windows at 3118 East Broad under conditions requiring samples and matching trim.

- 510 West Twentieth Street (Spring Hill) — roofing: The commission voted to deny the applicant’s in‑kind substitution of asphalt shingles on the principal roof but allowed the existing standing‑seam metal porch roof to remain. That partial denial was the result of discussion weighing district precedent and visible impact.

What the commission deferred or asked for additional work

- 3301 East Marshall Street (historic storefront): The commission deferred the proposal to replace an existing storefront with a prefabricated aluminum system and asked the applicant for revised shop drawings or alternative systems that better reproduce the historic proportions and built‑up transom bar. The commission asked staff and the applicant to continue design work and return with detailed shop drawings showing profiles and assembly.

- 1201 West Franklin Street (St. James Episcopal Church monument sign): The commission deferred a decision on an internally illuminated digital message board proposed for a low brick monument sign. Commissioners asked the applicant to return with lower‑light or non‑internally illuminated display options (examples cited included reflective or low‑lumen poster‑style systems), documented light levels, and clarity about message‑change frequency and zoning/permit conditions.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Main Street Banking historic district amendment (DHR concurrence): Motion to approve — mover: Commissioner Sherpa; second: Commissioner Rodriguez; recorded yes: Easterling, Greer, Moore, Nutt, Rodriguez, Stripler; outcome: recommended approval to DHR.

- Chanco Valley / Tobacco Row boundary increase (DHR concurrence): Motion to approve — mover: (recorded); abstentions: 2 commissioners; recorded yes: Greer, Moore, Nutt, Rodriguez; outcome: recommended approval to DHR.

- Move item 11 (11603.5 N. 20th St.) to consent: Motion passed; outcome: item adopted to consent and then approved.

- 2206 Jefferson Avenue (final review, Union Hill — new single‑family detached): Approved with staff conditions. Recorded yes votes included: Easterling, Greer, Moore, Nutt, Rodriguez, Strickland.

- 321/323 East Franklin (infill duplexes): Approved with staff conditions (motion and second recorded; commissioners expressed support for revised porches and fenestration).

- 510 West Twentieth (roofing): Motion to deny in‑kind asphalt main roof replacement; friendly amendment to deny the main roof but allow standing‑seam porch roof — approved. Recorded yes votes included Easterling, Greer, Moore, Nutt, Rodriguez, Strickland; outcome: partial approval (main roof denied; porch standing seam allowed).

- 3422 East Broad (rear deck, chimney, fence, windows): Approved with conditions (brick color to be administratively reviewed; replacement windows handled per staff guidance).

- 3301 East Marshall: Deferred — applicant to provide shop drawings or alternatives that better reproduce historic proportions for the storefront assembly.

- 1201 West Franklin (monument sign): Deferred — applicant to return with lower‑lumen or non‑internally lit alternatives and additional details on illumination, message frequency and permits.

- 2625 Monument Avenue (side porch roof replacement from slate to copper): Approved with conditions specifying flatlock seams on copper and matching detailing to existing metal roofs on the property.

- 3118 East Broad (composite windows): Approved with conditions requiring sample and final trim/installation details; staff to administratively review kitchen casement because it is not visible from the public right of way.

- 15 West Lee Street (rear two‑story addition): Approved with conditions governing siding, window materials, decking details, and limits on any future work to the primary façade.

What happens next

Approved items will get formal decision letters from staff, and the commission’s recommendations to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will be forwarded as recorded. Deferred items (3301 East Marshall and 1201 West Franklin) were sent back to applicants with instructions to return with more detailed, lower‑impact options or shop drawings that better match historic profiles.

— Sources: Commission of Architectural Review meeting transcript and staff reports; motions and roll call recorded during the May 2025 CAR meeting.