Historic Preservation Commission approves storefront renovation at 4 N. Sandusky St.

The Delaware City Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 29 approved a certificate of appropriateness for storefront and facade renovations at 4 North Sandusky Street (application 2025-3405), clearing the way for a planned restoration of the building’s historic storefront.

Diane Gunther, development planner with the city’s Planning and Community Development Department, told the commission the property, constructed in 1882 in an Italianate style, sits in the downtown core of the historic district and is zoned B-2, Central Business District. Gunther said the current proposal focuses on the front (west-facing) storefront: "We are going to be concentrating on the storefront area," she said, describing cleaning and mortar work, wood window framing, painted finishes, and the reinstatement of a right-side entrance that had been previously authorized in earlier drawings passed to the new owner.

Applicant Steven Hartman, appearing for Steven P. Hartman LLC, described the specific aesthetic choices and planned restoration work. "The building is already painted in those colors. The windows on the front are the green color. It's called Golden Gate," he said, and described additional trim colors and a possible third color he calls "iron ore." Hartman said he plans to reinstall stair access to the upper floors and discussed plans to add small vintage-style tile panels under the large windows.

Commissioners asked for clarification about the scope and how future changes would be handled. Councilman Ryder asked, "Can you clarify what we're actually reviewing and voting on tonight in terms of the certificate of appropriateness?" Gunther confirmed the commission was reviewing the storefront configuration shown in the architectural drawings before the commission and explained the difference between "significant" and minor revisions. As an example, she said, "A significant revision in this case would be if Mr. Hartman decided to perhaps ... move that entrance door ... so that would have a major impact on the appearance of the building." She said paint color changes or different light fixtures would likely be considered minor and handled administratively by the HPC chair.

Commissioners also discussed building-code coordination. Staff and the applicant confirmed that the project team has been working with Jerry Warner, the city’s chief building official, and that final permit drawings should be updated to current code for accessibility and egress before building permits are finalized.

A motion to approve application 2025-3405 was moved and seconded and passed by roll call (yes votes recorded in the transcript). Gunther told the applicant the official certificate would be issued in roughly a week and that Hartman should coordinate final permit work with the building department.

The commission’s approval applies to the scope shown in the submitted architectural drawings and includes the staff-recommended conditions; staff will review any subsequent minor revisions administratively and will return items the chair deems significant to the full commission.