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Commission of Architectural Review: votes and directions from Feb. 20 meeting
Summary
The CAR moved several applications to consent, approved multiple projects with conditions and reviewed several conceptual proposals. The commission approved three consent items and multiple regular-agenda applications, and provided substantive guidance on conceptual projects and a pending demolition request.
At its Feb. 20 meeting the Richmond Commission of Architectural Review approved a number of applications—some on consent—and provided detailed guidance on several more. The commission also reviewed two conceptual new-construction proposals and asked for more documentation on a separate demolition request. The following summarizes outcomes and directions recorded on the transcript.
Key approvals and motions - Consent approvals: Items moved to and approved on the consent agenda included projects for 1318 North 20 Seventh Street, 209 North 20 Eighth Street and 241 East Broad Street. Staff conditions apply; applicants will receive decision letters. (Consent items were moved and approved unanimously as recorded on the roll call.)
- 2917 East Broad Street (St. John’s Church/Historic District): The commission partially approved the application (front metal gate and up lighting) and denied the proposed rear and side vinyl privacy fencing; staff will work with the applicant on an alternate privacy-fence design. Homeowner Diana Meagan told commissioners vinyl was selected for durability because of prior termite damage to wood fencing. A roll-call vote recorded approval of the front fence and lighting, and partial approval of the application.
- 52211 Hamilton Street (Union Hill renovation): The commission approved exterior alterations — removal of aluminum siding and reconstruction of a front porch roof, replacement of porch posts with turned posts, replacement of siding with fiber-cement when original siding cannot be salvaged — with an important change: commissioners required either retention of existing vinyl windows or replacement of all visible front-elevation windows with aluminum-clad wood windows if the owner opts to replace them wholesale. The project includes conditions requiring salvage documentation, review of final exterior colors and staff approval of final details.
- 806 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard (rear deck at apartment building): The commission approved a multi-story rear porch replacement with conditions that the rail be either a traditional Richmond rail or the applicant’s black powder-coated aluminum rail, that trim and molding match existing character where visible, and that the historic brick piers under the porch be retained for reference. The applicant will provide membrane roofing specifications for the finished deck surfaces and may wrap new posts in a PVC or comparable trim material.
- 2715 East Broad Street (rear addition/enclosure): The commission approved a rear-porch enclosure designed to match the existing footprint, with conditions including smooth fiber-cement siding (no simulated wood grain), windows that are larger and undivided to maintain an open appearance, and pilasters that match the width of existing porch posts.
Conceptual reviews and guidance - 815–821 Mosby Street (conceptual new 3-story, nine-unit affordable housing): Commissioners provided conceptual feedback on massing and materials. Staff asked for study of the front-yard retaining conditions and visibility, showing how the building height and facade relate to neighboring buildings, more explicit connections from the first-floor balconies to the sidewalk, a clearer brick-to-siding transition on a south elevation, and locations and screening for exterior mechanical equipment. Developer Will Gillette (Baker Development/Project Homes) said the project will produce units affordable to roughly 80% area median income (AMI) and will be managed by Urban Hope.
- 212–218 North 20th Street (conceptual new construction; six units): The commission reviewed a contemporary six-unit proposal for a currently vacant lot and provided suggestions to strengthen street presence and historical compatibility. Staff recommended including brick on the primary street-facing façade, fine-tuning vertical fenestration for symmetry and repetition, and improving the main entrance’s architectural presence. The developer indicated the units will be fee-simple townhouses and the team will coordinate finalize lot and access details with the city’s permitting review.
Other notes - The commission emphasized reuse and salvage when historic fabric is at risk; where demolition is proposed, commissioners repeatedly asked that applicants fully document condition and salvageable material prior to approval.
Next steps Applicants with approvals will receive decision letters and instructions for submitting required details for administrative staff review. Projects returned for more work or conceptual revision are expected back at the commission with the additional documentation and revised drawings.
