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Historic Preservation Commission denies siding, column and window changes for Paseo house
Summary
The Oklahoma City Historic Preservation Commission denied an application to alter siding, porch columns and enclosed windows at a Paseo-area house at 525 NW 20th Street, citing departures from preservation guidelines and unapproved work already completed.
The Historic Preservation Commission denied an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to alter the exterior of 525 NW 20th Street, ruling the proposal out of step with preservation guidelines.
The commission voted to deny HPCA-24-0106 after hearing from applicant Sean Lawrence, who said he bought the house in poor condition and proposed fiber-cement (Hardie) siding, wrapped porch columns and leaving several previously enclosed windows unrestored. The applicant said underlying wood siding was largely rotted or missing and argued Hardie would be longer-lasting than wood.
Commission staff had recommended denial unless the applicant could meet conditions to bring the work into conformance: documentation showing original wood siding was beyond repair, reinstatement or compatible replacement of enclosed windows, and revised porch column designs that matched historic proportions or used approved substitute materials. Staff and several commissioners said the guidelines generally require replacement-in-kind with wood siding for historic structures and do not support reinstalling vinyl siding. Commissioners noted the house showed multiple previous alterations and that some work had been performed without prior approval.
During discussion, the applicant said he preferred Hardie over new wood because of cost and durability. Commissioners acknowledged the material performance argument but emphasized their duty to enforce the written preservation guidelines unless a clear, documented unique circumstance justified an exception. Several commissioners said the missing documentation and the scope of unpermitted work made them unwilling to approve the application.
After deliberation, a commissioner moved to deny the application “with prejudice.” The motion was seconded and the commission cast votes; the chair announced that the item had been denied with prejudice.
The denial means the applicant cannot proceed with the proposed siding, column wrapping or leaving enclosed windows sealed as presented. The commission suggested the applicant document the condition of any underlying historic siding, provide measured drawings for replacement porch columns that match the historic district character or use approved alternate materials in a form indistinguishable from historic columns, and, if feasible, reinstate windows removed without prior approval. The file will reflect that the commission is open to reconsideration only if the applicant returns with documentation and a design that conforms to the guidelines.
The commission also reminded applicants that Certificates of Appropriateness must be obtained before construction and that a 10-day protest period follows approval before permits can be issued.
