Winchester BAR denies request to remove two chimneys at 600 S. Washington St.

The Winchester Board of Architectural Review on June 5 denied an application by Reyna Catrona to remove two nonworking chimneys at 600 South Washington Street, citing concerns about visibility and the building—s historic appearance.

Board members said the chimneys contribute to the house—s curb appeal and visibility from the street. Chair Chancellor asked whether the applicant was present; the board held discussion in the applicant—s absence and heard members describe prior approvals for replica chimneys at other addresses as a contrast. "From a curb appeal standpoint...removing it would require a roof replacement," a board member said during debate. Another member moved to deny the request; the motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The application packet listed the work as "demo of two nonworking chimneys." Board members debated whether the chimneys could be removed and replaced with nonfunctional replicas (as the board has allowed elsewhere) or whether full removals would leave exposed masonry below the eaves that would require mitigation. One member said a prior approval at 300 South Washington Street involved removing existing chimneys and rebuilding hollow replicas to preserve the look of the façade.

Because the applicant was not present to clarify whether the proposal included reconstruction or replication, members cited uncertainty about the treatment of exposed chimney portions and roof repairs as reasons to deny. The transcript records a motion "to deny the request of BAR 25-243" and a second; the board adopted the denial by voice vote.

The denial is recorded as the board—s formal action; the applicant or their contractor may reapply with more detailed drawings showing how exposed chimney sections and roof treatments would be addressed.

Members discussed the matter during the public agenda item for BAR 25-243 and concluded the application, as submitted, was not approvable without additional detail.