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BAR approves new detached garage at 11 Cornwall Street NW; applicant recused
Summary
The Board of Architectural Review approved a one‑story detached garage at 11 Cornwall Street NW with conditions on materials, custom garage‑door specifications and screening for mechanical equipment; applicant and architect Tom O'Neil recused and the vote passed 6-0 with one recusal.
The Leesburg Board of Architectural Review approved construction of a new detached garage at 11 Cornwall Street NW on March 19, 2025, subject to conditions requiring field review of brick samples, submission of specifications for custom wood garage doors and screening for mechanical equipment.
Why it matters: The property is a late-19th-century Federal-style house in the historic district. Staff concluded the proposed one‑story, one‑car garage would be subordinate to the primary structure because of its rear-lot location, its footprint and the applicant's use of compatible materials.
Staff presentation and applicant comments: Preservation staff described the site plan, elevations and context, noting an accessory structure had historically existed at the rear of the lot on Sanborn maps and that the proposed garage massing and placement conform to guidelines recommending subordinate placement behind the primary structure. Applicant and architect Tom O'Neil confirmed the project team will screen a proposed mini‑split condenser and work with staff to use an approved lattice design.
Board action: Helen Aikman moved that the BAR approve TLHPBR2025-0006 (construction of a new detached garage at 11 Cornwall Street NW) "as authorized by 2.3.7, a Leesburg Zoning Ordinance" and subject to conditions that included staff approval of final details; Rick Brown seconded. The motion required submission of specification sheets for the custom wood garage doors prior to a zoning‑permit application, screening details for the mini‑split condenser, and a field sample of the brick prior to installation. The motion passed 6-0 with one abstention/recusal (the applicant).
Board comments cited precedent for rear-lot accessory structures, the garage's subordinate scale and the quality of the proposed custom doors. The board also asked staff to field-check brick and materials before construction begins.
Next steps: The applicant will submit the required brick sample and door specifications to the preservation manager and include final screening details in the zoning‑permit application. The BAR noted that any substantial changes from site-plan, zoning or permit reviews will require a revised application.
Speakers quoted in this article come from the BAR meeting record.
