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Commission follows staff recommendation and denies gas‑lamp installation on Broadway entrance
Summary
After staff recommended denial and the applicant explained the installation was intended to reference interior historic gas fixtures, the commission moved to follow staff advice on the gas‑lamp COA at 611 North Broadway; commissioners encouraged the applicant to work with staff on alternative approaches.
The commission reviewed a certificate of appropriateness for gas lamps installed on the primary façade of 611 North Broadway in the Eastside Commercial Historic District.
Staff said the building’s historic photos and guidelines show no evidence the storefronts historically had entrance lighting and recommended denial because the proposed lamps modify original ornamentation and do not match historic condition. Staff reported the lamps were installed after a plumbing permit was issued and that trades‑permit staff did not catch the lack of a COA when the permit was processed.
An applicant representative explained the lamps were installed in August and that interior historic gas fixtures exist in the building; the applicant said the external lanterns were meant to echo that interior history and to support a restaurant concept. The representative said the installed wiring and feed are minimally visible and that installation cost about $8,000.
Commissioners questioned why the applicant had not followed up on prior 2022 correspondence with staff and discussed the visual impact of surface‑mounted fixtures and raceways. One commissioner said staff and applicant should work on alternate locations and approaches to minimize visible conduit and attachments to the façade.
A commissioner moved to follow staff recommendation; the applicant and staff agreed to investigate alternate locations and methods to minimize façade impact. The motion to follow staff advice carried on a voice vote.
