Board approves 2‑over‑2 replacement windows for 104 Cornwall NE; requires minimum 7/8‑inch muntin

The Leesburg Board of Architectural Review on May 21 approved replacement windows at 104 Cornwall Street NE, authorizing a switch from the existing 6‑over‑6 Barber & Ross units to 2‑over‑2 wood double‑hung windows with conditions addressing muntin size and trim.

Staff presented background that the house is a mid‑twentieth‑century cottage currently listed as non‑contributing in the town’s survey but likely to be reclassified with an ongoing update. The application proposed replacing 11 existing windows on the original façade. Staff noted Barber & Ross windows on the property appear to be later replacements (likely circa 1970s) and are showing deterioration.

Applicant Teresa Bishop said modern wood windows tend to have thicker muntin profiles than original historic muntins; she and neighbors preferred a 2‑over‑2 pattern for its lighter appearance and greater daylighting. Board members reviewed a 1975 photograph from the architectural survey that suggested 6‑over‑6 windows were present at that time; staff cautioned that 1975 is now itself historic (roughly 50 years old) but that the existing Barber & Ross units are likely later replacements.

After extended discussion of historic appropriateness, neighborhood context and product availability, the board approved the change with conditions. The motion as read by a BAR member specified approval of TLHPBR2025‑0016 based on staff findings, with conditions that the applicant use a 2‑by‑2 muntin pattern, that trim and other design features remain unchanged during installation, and that muntin bars be a minimum of 7/8 inch in width. The maker of the motion and the seconder accepted a friendly amendment specifying the minimum muntin width; the motion passed, 7–0.

Why this matters: the decision balances the town’s historic‑district design guidance with the practical limits of available manufactured windows and the immediate condition of the existing units. Several board members and staff emphasized that the most historically appropriate pattern for the building type could be 6‑over‑6, but uncertainty about the origin of the current units and their deteriorated condition supported the finding in favor of 2‑over‑2 for this case.

Clarifying details captured in the hearing: staff noted the applicant’s cited manufacturer options (including JELD‑WEN product lines) and reported that the smallest commonly available contemporary muntin is about 5/8 inch industry‑wide but that the board asked for a minimum of 7/8 inch for this approval. Staff also noted the applicant will reuse or match existing trim and that a dumpster/refuse enclosure and other site details were discussed elsewhere in the meeting.

Next steps: the approval is conditioned on the items listed in the staff report (pages 2–4) and the additional BAR conditions made on the record (2‑over‑2 pattern, minimum 7/8‑inch muntin, no change to trim). Any future alterations to footprint, height, attachments, scale or materials will require a revised application.