Victorian Village Commission approves LP siding replacement at 9944 Harrison Avenue with restoration conditions

The Victorian Village Commission on Feb. 12 approved an application to remove existing siding and install fiber-cement (Hardie) lap siding on the non-historic garage addition and to replace vinyl siding on the historic portion at 9944 Harrison Avenue, with conditions to preserve options for future restoration.

Commission staff recommended approval with conditions. Kimberly Bernardchi, historic building officer (HBO) staff, told the commission staff recommended that the original siding on the addition be either retained and restored or covered by Hardie board in a way that allows future restoration, and that the new siding reveal be 4 to 5 inches to match neighborhood precedent and the commission’s standards. Bernardchi cited City Code 3.116 and the Victorian Village guidelines for siding as the basis for the recommendation.

The applicant, who spoke at the hearing, said interior renovations had revealed some water and fire damage to original wood, and that they intended to salvage and restore what they could but were prepared to install Hardie over existing material where necessary. "I have no problem with that," the applicant said, referring to covering where restoration is not practicable.

Commissioners discussed installation details, including corner boards and window and door trim, and asked that trim remain proud of the siding so that frames are not flush with the new surface. Commissioners also noted prior approvals on nearby properties and agreed that a 4–5 inch reveal would better match adjacent buildings than the larger reveal shown in the applicant’s examples.

A motion to approve application COA2400450 as submitted passed; the motion included conditions that (1) the original siding on the addition be retained for potential restoration or covered in a reversible way, (2) the siding reveal be 4 to 5 inches, and (3) trim and corner boards be applied to remain proud of the siding. The commission voted verbally in favor; no roll-call tally was provided on the record.

The commission staff said the applicant should provide any clarified details required for final stamping and that issuance of the certificate typically takes two to five business days after the minutes and stampings are completed.

Questions from commissioners and staff focused on installation technique (how thicker Hardie panels would be trimmed at corners), ensuring reversibility, and documenting the detail on submitted exhibits so future owners can identify original siding beneath the replacement.