Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
BAR defers porch infill and window changes at 201 South Street SE after debate over three-window proposal
Summary
The Board of Architectural Review deferred action on TLHPBR2025-0004 for 201 South Street SE to a March 19 work session so the applicant can revise fenestration options after board members objected to adding a third window on the west (Harrison Street) primary elevation.
The Leesburg Board of Architectural Review on Feb. 19 deferred consideration of application TLHPBR2025-0004 for exterior alterations at 201 South Street Southeast, including enclosure of a side porch, infill of doors, and several window replacements.
Staff recommended in-kind wood window replacement where windows are deteriorated but warned the board about the applicant’s proposal to add a three-part window grouping on the west (Harrison Street) elevation. Staff noted the rear (south) elevation is more altered and therefore less strictly treated by the guidelines; the board discussed whether the rear’s existing changes made it acceptable to add a larger opening there.
Architect Jeremy Smith presented condition photos and argued that many existing windows are not original and are deteriorated: “The windows are not original historic. They have sash locks, insulated windows, PVC or plastic liners in the jams. They are not of the caliber of normal replacements and the seams and the wood windows started to separate,” he said.
Owners Todd and Jill Watts told the board they have owned the house since 2002 and are reinvesting: “We’ve owned the house since 02/2002… we really are investing in the house,” they said.
Several board members said they supported the porch infill and in-kind replacements but could not support adding a third window on the west primary elevation; some members said they might accept a three-window arrangement on the rear (south) elevation because that elevation had been altered by past work and contains non-historic French doors. The board offered rewrite options and interior-layout alternatives (including flipping kitchen functions) for the applicant to consider before returning.
Julie Pastor moved to defer the application to the March 19 work session so the applicant could revise options; JP Andrews seconded. The motion passed 5-0 with two members absent.
Staff and the applicant will prepare revised drawings for the March 19 packet.
