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Board approves dormer and new garage at 232 East Bell Court; decision on proposed connector continued to Sept. 17
Summary
Lexington City Board of Architectural Review approved a certificate of appropriateness for a dormer enlargement and new garage at 232 East Bell Court with conditions, but continued review of a proposed connector linking the house and accessory building until Sept. 17 after staff recommended disapproval.
The Board of Architectural Review approved a certificate of appropriateness July 23 for a larger dormer and a new garage at 232 East Bell Court in the Bell Court Historic District, but deferred a decision on a proposed elevated connector between the house and the accessory building until Sept. 17.
Staff recommended disapproval of the connector, saying it is inconsistent with the district's guidelines on placement and setbacks and that connecting the principal structure to an accessory building "is not within the guidelines." Staff instead recommended approval of the dormer enlargement and new garage if the dormer is stepped off the south ridge by 6 inches and final details are submitted for staff review prior to issuance of the certificate of appropriateness.
In discussion, applicant representatives said the connector is intended to improve circulation and accessibility for family members, including elderly parents who regularly stay on the property. Darren Taylor, representing the applicants, told the board the design team had revised plans after multiple conceptual reviews and meetings with staff and that the owner favored the connector for functional reasons.
Board members debated precedent and visual impact. Several members noted a previously approved connected garage elsewhere in the city and said the current application's corner location increases its visibility. The board approved the dormer and the new garage with the staff's conditions and a requirement that final roof and window details be provided to staff before a COA is issued. The vote to approve the dormer and garage passed; the board then voted to continue review of the connector and asked staff and the applicant to return with more detailed design and engineering drawings for the connector by Sept. 17 so the board can reassess its visual impact and structural detail.
The board recorded three written letters of neighborhood support that were entered into the record during the hearing.
The board's action separates the building elements (house alteration and new garage) from the connector, allowing the owners to proceed with the approved work while the narrower, more contentious connector question is revisited at a later meeting.
