The Historic Landmarks Commission on Nov. 5 reviewed a demolition application affecting two contributing buildings on the same lot at 514 East Monroe Street and 1506 Eastside Drive. Staff determined the properties did not meet two criteria required for landmark designation and recommended that the commission comment on plans for partial and total demolition and release the application so new-construction plans could be reviewed prior to permit issuance.

Applicant representative Mike McComb said the project team intends to retain the front half of the bungalow at 514 East Monroe, replace the rear portion, and demolish the duplex at 1506 Eastside Drive. Architects said the scheme would reuse the existing footprint to avoid impacts to five heritage trees on site, one of which is 70.5 inches in diameter. "The idea is to have three individual homes that will then be available in the neighborhood," McComb said.

A neighbor objected to releasing demolition before seeing replacement plans. "We cannot really judge the effectiveness of keeping this part ... until we see what is proposed for what they are proposing to build behind it," Francesco Passanti said during public comment.

Commissioners debated postponing the item for additional design detail versus releasing the demolition application to allow the standard review process (including Architectural Review Committee and HPO review). A motion to postpone failed to carry. The commission then voted to follow staff's recommendation and release the partial and full demolition applications for design review and permit processing, subject to standard HPO review and documentation requirements; the motion passed with a 6'vote majority.

The release allows the project to continue through design review; any demolition permit will not be issued until the replacement plans and HPO/ARC review and required documentation are completed.