Clark County HPC advises against roll-up garage door for proposed Terrain Coffee storefront at 114 W. Sixth St.

The Clark County Historic Preservation Commission on April 2 advised the City of Vancouver that a proposed sectional roll-up (garage-style) door for exterior alterations at 114 West Sixth Street is not appropriate for the Washington Street frontage and recommended retaining the building's historic brick and replacing a boarded window with an alternative window rather than a garage door.

The guidance came during an advisory heritage-overlay review of proposed exterior work on the Schofield Building, where City staff and the applicant described plans to repair and clean the brick façade, replace transom windows, install a new entry door, and remove a boarded opening to install a sectional glass overhead door to create a potential indoor-outdoor seating area for a new coffee tenant. "Staff has found that they have met the applicable standards, and we anticipate recommending approval of the proposal," said Anthony Tortorzini, senior planner, City of Vancouver.

Why it matters: The commission's recommendations, recorded as an advisory motion, reflect local preservation concerns about visual continuity along Washington Street and the impacts of removing lower-story historic brick for a large overhead opening. The City of Vancouver will make the formal permitting decision but asked for the commission's professional advice under the Heritage Overlay District review process.

Details of the proposal and commission concerns

City staff and the applicant, Ryan Wilson of Wilson Architects representing the building owner, said the main project goals are to repair deteriorated windows, clean the brick, and create better daylight and possible outdoor-serving options for the café. "The main purpose of it was to try to create an opportunity where, some potential sidewalk seating, indoor outdoor type, space for the new Terrain Coffee shop," Wilson said. He also described structural work: "We are putting in a steel tube steel... we'll wrap it in a wood mullion so that it will look like the existing mullions between those transoms." He said the tube steel is approximately a 4-inch square and will be wrapped so the exterior appears as a slightly wider mullion.

Commissioners raised two related concerns: (1) whether a garage-style roll-up door fits the historic character along Washington Street, where nearby façades generally retain traditional storefront openings; and (2) how much historic brick would be removed and whether structural alterations would affect the remaining brick. Commissioner Cheryl Grundy said, "We certainly want to have additional light. I do not feel that having the roll up garage door is appropriate for this building." Several commissioners suggested alternatives such as larger windows or other operable door/window systems that would increase light and allow indoor-outdoor interaction without inserting a full-width sectional garage door.

Technical and historical notes cited in the review

- The building was constructed in 1920 with a substantial renovation in 1936, according to the staff packet. - The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAP) noted in a February 2004 evaluation that the building was not eligible for the National Register at that time because of alterations; a 2023 Main Street Promise project evaluation said it appears to meet the National Register criteria (staff noted it is not currently listed). These evaluations were included in the staff materials. - The applicant said removing the boarded opening would require the insertion of a vertical steel column (floor to roof) and replacement/lengthening of the header over the opening; the applicant indicated roughly 2 feet of brick would be removed on the side adjacent to the opening but said exact square footage was "not specified." The 4-inch square steel tube will be wrapped with a wood mullion so the change reads similar to existing mullions.

Commission action and next steps

The commission made an advisory motion recommending that the applicant retain the building's historic brick and replace the boarded window with an alternative window rather than a garage door, and stated it would welcome the applicant back with alternative window/door options. The commission took a roll-call vote on that advisory recommendation; commissioners voting in the affirmative included Jan Bader, Morgan Frazier, Andy Gregg and John Zingali. Staff member Tricia clarified the nature of the review: "This is advisory review... the review is advisory in nature. So it's not a hearing, it's not an approval." City staff will proceed with the City's permit review process and make the final determination.

Other meeting business

The commission also approved minutes from its Feb. 5 meeting by voice vote earlier in the evening. Andy Gregg moved to approve the minutes; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Votes at a glance: 1) Recommendation on 114 W. Sixth St. (advisory): motion to recommend retaining historic brick and replacing the boarded window with an alternative window instead of a garage door — adopted by roll-call (affirmative votes recorded from Jan Bader, Morgan Frazier, Andy Gregg and John Zingali). Advisory only; City makes final decision. 2) Approval of Feb. 5 meeting minutes: passed by voice vote earlier in the meeting.

What the applicant said and availability

Ryan Wilson said the applicant is open to alternatives and encouraged commissioners to identify specific approaches that would achieve increased light and potential indoor-outdoor seating without a full sectional roll-up door. The applicant was told the commission would be willing to review alternative designs if the applicant chose to return though staff noted this advisory meeting is the only time the commission is required to review this application under current process.

Ending

The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City of Vancouver staff as part of the heritage overlay advisory record. The City will determine permits and any conditions; the applicant may choose to return to the commission with alternative design options but is not required to do so.