Prattville commission approves renovation plan for 307 First Street, 5-0 vote

The Prattville Historic Preservation Commission on an item heard at its June meeting approved a multi-element renovation application for 307 First Street, voting 5-0 to authorize the work with Commissioner Scott Ferguson recused from the vote.

Commissioner Scott Ferguson, who identified himself as the petitioner, presented plans that included a 6-foot wood privacy fence, a black metal gate at the driveway edge, repair and partial reconfiguration of a rear shed, roof-line adjustments to match original gables, a new front-porch gable to replace a metal awning, window replacements under two options, carport repairs, siding work and new exterior lighting. "It's essentially to connect that driveway... and get the gables fixed to back to something architecturally pleasing," Ferguson said during his presentation.

Miss Hudson, the city representative who reviewed the application with the commission, noted early in the presentation that the gate was the only item specifically under commission review in the materials she initially described; the commission nevertheless discussed and acted on the full set of proposed changes and approved the application "as submitted." Hudson also said the property does not appear in the city's historic-survey listings.

Why it matters: The commission reviews changes to properties in or near locally recognized historic areas to determine whether proposed alterations are compatible with neighborhood character.…