Commission approves demolition and smaller replacement garage at 1140 Harrison Avenue with conditions

At a Victorian Village hearing, the commission approved demolition of an existing garage at 1140 Harrison Avenue and granted a certificate of appropriateness for a smaller replacement garage, subject to conditions and coordination with building and zoning staff.

Kimberly Bernard Sheehy, speaking for HBO staff, described the proposal as a two-part application: (a) demolition of the existing garage and (b) construction of a new 22-foot by 29-foot, 4-inch single-floor garage with board-and-batten siding, smooth-party siding (transcript: "party") details, a steel door with smooth finish, half-light doors as proposed, case-style gutters and three-tab shingles in a nickel gray. Sheehy said the existing garage had previously been approved for demolition in December 2019 because it lacked architectural significance and its condition was compromised.

Homeowner representatives said the proposal reduces the previously approved footprint and attempts to preserve an existing yard tree. "We did want to try to work around the tree," said Dessa Augsberger, who identified herself during the hearing. She and another speaker said the new garage footprint was chosen to be simpler and to avoid jogs in the existing footprint.

Commission comments focused on appropriate door configuration and window spacing. Staff and commissioners noted that two single doors are typically encouraged for garages, and questioned whether the half-light door proposed was appropriate in the neighborhood context. Commissioners also raised that the proposed exterior wall appears close to the right-of-way line and recommended the applicant check roof overhang dimensions and consult building and zoning staff. "You might also want to check with building and zoning just to make sure if you haven't already," Sheehy advised, noting building/zoning may be stricter than the historic review and that variances would need to be identified early to avoid delays.

The commission voted separately on demolition and on the new construction application. The demolition motion (COA item a) passed; the motion for new construction (COA item b) also passed with the recommended condition that facade window spacing be revised to align with the home-facing facade and that applicants follow zoning expectations for roof projection and setbacks. The commission also advised sensitivity to the yard tree and suggested minor adjustments to window grouping on the west elevation.

Staff recorded that no zoning variances were anticipated at the hearing, but asked the applicant to verify with building and zoning. The commission asked the applicant to submit any clarifications and to coordinate details outside the hearing as needed.