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Commission approves demolition of altered 1885 barn at 603 West Main Street; replacement to be ADU
Summary
Staff advised that an updated historical evaluation found the barn at 603 West Main Street lacks integrity; the commission agreed to demolition with requirement that a replacement accessory dwelling unit (ADU) approximate the barn's historic aesthetic and be relocated off the city right‑of‑way.
City planning staff told the Grass Valley Historical Commission that an 1885 carriage barn behind 603 West Main Street, recorded as a priority‑2 structure, has undergone multiple alterations that have diminished its historic integrity.
Staff presented an updated resource evaluation prepared by historian Dana Supernovitz, which concluded that cumulative changes — including a reconstructed west elevation, interior slab, rebuilt stairway and modern siding — prevent the barn from meeting the city's criteria for individual historical significance under municipal code section 15.60.07 (historic demolition review). Staff recommended approval of demolition provided objective design standards are applied to a replacement structure to approximate the original salt‑box aesthetic.
An architect representing owners Arthur and Helene Fellows said the building currently encroaches on the city right‑of‑way and that relocation of the replacement ADU a short distance will resolve that issue. The owners told commissioners they plan a salt‑box replacement with red siding so the streetscape appearance remains similar.
Commissioners expressed concern about approving demolition before seeing final replacement drawings. Staff and the architect said ADUs in the city are administered through objective design standards and do not undergo discretionary review; as a result, the replacement must meet those objective standards rather than a discretionary design review. The commission received assurances from the applicant that the proposed replacement would approximate the historic form, and commissioners indicated support for demolition with the stated conditions.
The record indicates the commission conveyed approval for demolition conditioned on replacement that matches objective design standards and preserves a compatible streetscape appearance. The replacement ADU will connect to the existing sewer and electrical service; separate metering is optional and may be chosen by the owner.
No formal roll call was recorded in the minutes; commissioners noted their support and discussed follow‑up steps for staff and the applicant.
