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Commission approves small stoop cover for 1605 N. Harrison Boulevard, asks for more traditional railing
Summary
The Boise City Historic Preservation Commission approved a modest, removable stoop cover for a contributing house at 1605 N. Harrison Blvd. on safety grounds but required the applicant to work with staff on a more traditional railing design; staff had initially recommended denial because the addition lacked historical evidence.
The Boise City Historic Preservation Commission approved a small, removable stoop cover for a contributing residence at 1605 North Harrison Boulevard, but conditioned approval on the applicant working with staff to select a more traditional railing style.
Staff had recommended denial, finding no historical evidence the house originally had a front stoop cover and saying adding one without documentation would create a "false sense of history" and conflict with Secretary of the Interior standards. The applicant, architect Amy Allgaier, presented Sanborn-map evidence and said the front pop-out to which the cover would attach was added after the district's period of significance; she and the homeowner argued the cover improves safety for an elderly resident.
Resident Suzanne Oppenheimer said her 90-year-old mother slips on the stoop during winter and that the small roof would make coming and going safer. Neighborhood representatives called the proposed cover minimal, removable and sympathetic but asked that the railing be more traditional. The applicant agreed to work with staff and NINA on railing details.
Commissioners weighed the health-and-safety argument against preservation standards. Commissioner Moore moved to approve the application on the condition the applicant work with staff to choose a more traditional railing; Commissioner Montoto seconded. The motion passed 3–1 with Commissioner Malloy recorded in opposition.
