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Owner seeks railing reinstallation at 111 E. Second St.; planning staff, HPC have discussed details
Summary
The property owner of 111 East Second Street requested a fence/railing modification to replace a railing on a retaining wall that exceeds code height. The owner said a historic railing once occupied the location; staff and the Historic Preservation Commission have discussed a reduced railing height and attachment details. Commissioners asked for
Dan Cassidy, the property owner of 111 East Second Street, told the Planning Commission he seeks permission to reinstall a railing on a retaining wall that exceeds 30 inches in height and therefore requires a guard per code. Cassidy said a railing historically occupied the wall and that the house was converted to two apartments decades ago; the railing had been removed but he and the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) have been working on a design that would be sympathetic to the building.
Staff noted a discrepancy between the railing height in the HPC submittal (37 inches) and the Planning Commission packet (42 inches) and recommended the applicant lower the railing to reduce combined retaining-wall-plus-railing height; the concern is that the total height could exceed the 6-foot limit for residential districts. Commissioners asked how the railing will be attached to the existing precast caps and whether historic photos showed a prior railing; Cassidy said staff located a 1975 photo that did not show the railing but he believes earlier images indicate a rail existed.
No public comment was offered at the workshop. The Planning Commission will consider the item at its upcoming public hearing; staff and applicant expect the HPC to approve the railing if the final design meets HPC and LMC standards.
