Commission allows rear Hardie siding to remain at 1721 Post Office, limits window replacements

The Galveston Landmark Commission on Feb. 3 approved a certificate of appropriateness for work already performed at 1721 Post Office, with a modification to staff’s recommended conditions that allows cementitious siding (Hardie board) to remain on the rear façade.

Staff’s report said the applicant began exterior repairs after submitting a building permit in October 2024 but before final approval; the permit review identified elements not conforming to the commission’s design standards. Daniel (staff) told the commission staff found the request partially conforms: staff recommended replacing the cement siding on the rear façade with wood siding matching existing dimensions and replacing vinyl-clad windows with wood windows where they occupy original openings. Staff recommended approval of a new ground-level rear porch because Sanborn maps indicate a historic porch previously existed at that location and because the new porch is not visible from the right of way. Staff included a deadline for completion of required work by Aug. 3, 2025.

Neighbor Robert Faitney spoke in support of the applicants and described the property’s prior condition, saying multiple families had been living in the structure and that the rear wall had to be rebuilt after extensive deterioration; his remarks noted engineering drawings and straps used to stabilize the wall. He said the applicants had obtained many required permits and inspections for interior systems but had not completed final building inspections before the exterior work was done.

During deliberations commissioners asked whether the hardy siding matched the dimensions and visual profile of the original wood siding and whether any stop-work order had been issued; staff said a stop-work order may have been issued and that the vinyl-clad windows had been installed where new interior openings were created. One commissioner moved to approve staff recommendations but the motion was amended on the floor to except condition 1(a) (the requirement to remove the cementitious siding on the rear façade). The commission voted in favor and the motion passed.

The approval allows the rear porch addition as described in the applicant’s exhibit, permits vinyl-clad windows in locations where new openings were created (so new openings remain distinguishable from original fenestration), and requires that, where original window openings were altered, wooden replacement windows be used to match historic appearance unless interior changes necessitate otherwise. The commission set a completion deadline consistent with staff’s timeline.