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Historic zoning commission approves exterior staircase and Juliet balconies at 120 South Court Square
Summary
McMinnville Historic Zoning Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior galvanized staircases and aluminum Juliet-style false railings at 120 South Court Square, with railings required to match the front Juliet balconies.
McMinnville Historic Zoning Commission Chair Michael Griffin on the record approved a certificate of appropriateness for exterior staircases and false railings at 120 South Court Square after hearing a presentation from the applicant.
The commission authorized installation of a galvanized metal exterior staircase on the east side of the building to connect a second-story door down to a first-story door and thence to grade, and approved aluminum Juliet-style false railings for the front windows and two side windows. The motion as amended required the upright railings on the staircase to match the Juliet balcony design.
Justin Tanner, the applicant and presenter, described the proposal as “proposing to put a metal staircase on the east side of the building, from the commonly known ‘door to nowhere’ down to the second story” and said the design includes landings and awnings above the doorways. He gave measurements for the treads, saying tread depth would be about 10 inches and tread height would be below 7 inches to meet residential-code requirements. Mark Mott, who will fabricate and install the work, told the commission he recommended galvanizing the steel to avoid rust.
Sean (staff member) told the commission the city does not have direct guidelines for exterior stairs or railings in the historic district but had no material objections to the proposed galvanized steel and aluminum, saying the materials would “hold up to the weather.” Commissioners discussed possible sidewalk impacts where the lower stair run meets grade and noted structural piers would be required to support landings. Commissioners asked that staff verify whether sidewalk widening or minor curb/landscape adjustments are needed for the lower stair run.
The commission voted to approve the COA request; the motion passed with the amendment that the staircase handrail verticals match the Juliet balcony uprights. The transcript does not record a named mover or second nor a roll-call tally; the chair announced the motion carried.
The approval is recorded as a COA for exterior staircases and false railings at 120 South Court Square; staff will confirm final details in the field and verify compliance with the conditions noted by the commission.
