Board tables siding replacement at 216 West Palm Hall Street pending substrate inspection

The Winchester City Board of Architectural Review on April 17 tabled a request from James Schlosser to replace siding at 216 West Palm Hall Street, citing uncertainty about the existing substrate and questions about appropriate materials for a house built around 1930.

Staff and board members reported that the property currently has washed-out aluminum siding that likely dates from the 1970s or 1980s. The applicant was not present. Staff said the contractor reported insulation under the aluminum and indicated there might be no original wood siding beneath it; that claim had not been verified. A staff member recommended asking the owner or contractor to remove a small section of siding or otherwise inspect the substrate to establish whether original wood lap siding remains.

Board members also discussed appropriate replacement materials if the original siding has been removed. Several members said Hardie (fiber-cement) siding is not an ideal solution for houses that retain historic material because it changes shadow lines and often does not replicate wood correctly. One board member cautioned that Hardie “never replicates wood” and said installation problems often lead to an unsatisfactory appearance. The board also discussed corner treatments (corner straps versus outside corner boards), window reveals, and whether the house falls inside the National Historic District; staff said a 2011 survey found the property outside the historic district.

A motion to table BAR/VAR 25-234 (siding replacement at 216 West Palm Hall Street) was made and seconded; the board voted to table the request and directed staff to relay the board’s concerns to the applicant and request further documentation and substrate inspection.