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Commission approves new duplex design for condemned 2228 Cedar St.; demolition ruled outside commission jurisdiction
Summary
The Commission of Architectural Review approved final plans for a new duplex at 2228 Cedar Street to replace a building the city's building commissioner declared unsafe, but noted the commission has no authority to halt the demolition itself.
The Commission of Architectural Review voted to approve final plans to construct a new duplex at 2228 Cedar Street after staff and the applicant revised the design to respond to earlier feedback.
Staff told the commission the city's building commissioner had declared the existing mid‑19th‑century Greek Revival structure unsafe, which placed demolition authority outside the commission's purview. Alex (staff) summarized the project changes since conceptual review in May, including lowering and reconfiguring a rear roof projection to a gable form and refining fenestration.
The applicant, who identified himself as Chris, said he had tried to incorporate the commission's earlier comments and that he was pursuing parallel options to salvage or relocate the existing structure. He told commissioners a salvage relocation grant had been offered and that, if the commission approved the new design, a realistic demolition window would be around Sept. 15 unless a viable salvage lead materialized.
Public commenter Nancy Lambert urged preservation and deconstruction rather than demolition and asked the commission to encourage salvage. Commissioners said they regretted their lack of authority to block demolition but emphasized the commission's ability to influence the design of the replacement building. Staff read ten conditions of approval that must be met during permitting and construction, including: using smooth, untreated fiber‑cement siding; tongue‑and‑groove porch decking installed perpendicular to the face of the building; a standing‑seam metal roof on the primary front mass; salvaging and reusing historic porch posts and hardscape where possible; and submitting detailed porch drawings to match character‑defining features.
A motion to approve the application with staff conditions passed on a roll call vote: Commissioner Easterling — Yes; Greer — No; Moore — Yes; Nutt — Yes; Rodriguez — Yes; Strickland — Yes. The commission recorded five votes in favor, one opposed; the item was approved with conditions.
