Historic Zoning Commission approves consent items and several infill projects, hears neighbor concerns on setback at 1910 Holly

The Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission approved the revised agenda and several staff-recommended design actions at its Aug. 20 meeting, voting to adopt the agenda and to approve the June 18 and July 16 minutes before taking up multiple applications on the consent calendar and individual agenda items.

Adoption of the agenda and minutes: The commission adopted the revised agenda (motion by Commissioner Mayhall; second by Commissioner Price) and approved the June 18 and July 16 minutes (motion by Commissioner Williams; second by Commissioner Cotton). The consent agenda — a grouped vote on multiple noncontroversial items — passed after commissioners approved adding one item (160 Second Avenue North) to consent (motion to add by Commissioner Mosley; second by Commissioner Cotton). Staff recommended approval of consent items with standard conditions finding the applications met the applicable design guidelines.

Selected individual approvals and debates: - 1029 Fifteenth Avenue South (Edge Hill neighborhood conservation zoning overlay): Staff recommended and the commission approved a proposed infill and outbuilding with a separation reduction between the primary dwelling and the outbuilding from the typical 20 feet to 11 feet, subject to standard infill conditions. Staff noted that the patio is open-air and that enclosure in the future could affect compliance. The commission's motion approved staff’s recommendation with conditions; a second was recorded by Commissioner Cashion.

- 2110/2120 West Linden Avenue (address discrepancy in record): Staff presented a modern infill proposal and recommended approval after the applicant agreed to some minor plan revisions the staff requested. A commissioner motioned to approve (motion by Commissioner Price; second by Commissioner Williams) and the commission approved the project. (Transcript contains an inconsistency between a staff reference to 2120 West Linden and a motion recorded as 2110 West Linden; see clarifying_details.)

- 908 Waldkirk Avenue (Waverly-Belmont overlay): Staff recommended approval of new infill; the architect Mark Ami of Allard Ward Architects spoke in support and the commission approved the staff recommendation (motion by Commissioner Cotton; second by Commissioner Mosley).

- 1910 Holly Street (Laughlin Springs/Easton overlay): The lot was cleared after tornado damage in 2020 and a new infill proposal prompted public comment from immediate neighbors concerned the proposed front setback stepped forward relative to adjacent historic houses. The applicant’s designer, Jason Feller of Feller Home Design, said the proposed setback aligns with the contextual average and is effectively within one foot of the contextual number. Commissioner discussion noted the public comments and the applicant’s willingness to revise if necessary; the commission ultimately approved staff’s recommendation with conditions (motion by Commissioner Mayhall; second by Commissioner Mosley).

Motions and approvals were recorded on the public record for each item; staff will issue preservation permits once required follow-up (revised plan sets or final material approvals) is complete.

Votes at a glance (selected items): adoption of agenda — approved (Mayhall/Price); approval of minutes — approved (Williams/Cotton); consent agenda (multiple addresses) — approved (Mosley/Cotton); 1029 Fifteenth Avenue South (separation reduction) — approved; 2110/2120 West Linden Avenue (infill) — approved; 908 Waldkirk Avenue — approved; 1910 Holly Street — approved. Several other consent items (additions, outbuildings, and two demolition applications) were approved under consent with staff conditions.