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Board approves roof replacement, new detached garage and grant for 505 William; permit waiver for attached garage denied
Summary
The Historic Preservation Advisory Board approved a COA to replace the roof and construct a detached garage at 505 William Street, awarded a $1,000 small matching grant for the roof, and approved a permit fee waiver for the roof while denying a separate waiver for an attached-garage permit.
The Historic Preservation Advisory Board approved a certificate of appropriateness for roof replacement and a detached garage at 505 William Street, a property classified as high contributing in the Old Town Rockwall Historic District. The COA passed 4-2. Board members also approved a $1,000 small matching grant for the roof replacement (vote 5-1) and approved a building-permit fee waiver for the roof; a later request for a full permit-fee waiver on an attached-garage project was denied.
Staff presented the case describing the existing roof material as metal and the applicant’s proposal to install composite shingles. Staff said while composite shingles are not ‘‘like for like’’ with the original material, the change would not impair the home’s historic presence and would reduce maintenance and leakage problems that have caused insurance difficulties. ‘‘When you have a tin roof…we actually look at it as a significant preservation aspect because those tin roofs leak and can cause damage to the structures over time,’’ staff said.
Applicant Kevin McNeely told the board his homeowner’s insurance had been revoked because of the roof condition and that insurers would not provide coverage until the roof was replaced. He described the existing garage and storm shelter as in poor condition and said the proposed metal detached garage (600 sq. ft., less than 15 feet tall) would replace the dilapidated structures and be positioned farther back on the lot.
Board discussion included whether a metal garage is compatible with historic character. Several members noted an existing metal accessory building in the district and said the proposed building would be largely invisible from the street. One member recused themself from consideration of later items; another member also noted a conflict and did not vote on one motion.
The board voted to deny a separate request to waive the building permit fee for an attached garage project at the same property. For the roof-related items, the board approved the small matching grant and the modest permit fee waiver after members cited the uninsurable condition and the likely preservation benefit of replacing a failing metal roof with longer-lasting shingles.
The approvals require the applicant to obtain demolition and building permits and meet applicable development-code standards for accessory buildings and drive access.
