Historic commission approves certificate of appropriateness for 621 East Holmes Street

The Janesville Historic Commission on the evening approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior work at 621 East Holmes Street, finding the proposed masonry and chimney repairs meet the commission's criteria.

The motion to find that the proposed project "meets the criteria for granting a certificate of appropriateness" carried after a brief review of the plans and photos. Commissioners heard that the work focuses on chimney rebuilding, tuckpointing and repair of a deteriorated pillar cap; the applicant and staff said the project will reuse existing brick and match mortar color where possible.

Commission staff described the submittal as well-prepared and said the proposed chimney rebuild will match the original design drawings. An applicant or contractor on site confirmed the pillar cap will be saw-cut and pieced back rather than removed wholesale. Commissioners asked if the chimney work would expose attic framing; staff and the applicant said the chimney is exterior and not exposed to the attic.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to find the project meets the criteria for a certificate of appropriateness; another commissioner seconded. The chair called for the question; commissioners said "aye" and the motion passed. The action will be documented in the commission's notice of historic commission action, which is customarily signed by city staff as required by the city's zoning ordinance.

The commission did not record roll-call vote tallies by name in the meeting record provided.

Next steps: staff will finalize the notice of action and inform the applicant of any conditions or revisions noted in the commission's approval.