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Commission approves revised chimney alteration at 809 Burnett despite staff recommendation to deny
Summary
Staff recommended denying a proposal to remove the historic masonry chimney at 809 Burnett and replace it with a lighter, faux-brick constructed element; after debate about preservation aims versus livability and wind/load concerns the commission approved the applicant’s revised certificate of appropriateness.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a new application for 809 Burnett that would remove the existing brick chimney and replace it with a constructed, nonfunctional element clad in thin-brick veneer and shortened by 22 inches.
Staff presented the application and said the structure is a contributing building in the Old Town Historic District and that the design guidelines call for retaining existing brick or stone chimneys whenever possible; staff reiterated its recommendation to deny because the proposal would not retain the historic chimney or properly match the architectural detail.
Commission discussion focused on balancing preservation standards with the homeowner’s desire to make attic space livable and safety concerns about wind loads on a heavy, tall masonry chimney. One commissioner said, "we need to try to meet them where they are and enable that to happen," noting that many houses in the district no longer have tall ornate chimneys and that a lighter, shorter solution could reduce risk to the roof structure.
The applicant’s representative described a polyurethane veneer product, sized to match the existing chimney footprint, that would minimize weight and allow for reduced height while aiming for a color close to the original brick. After discussion, a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness for 809 Burnett passed.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to pursue the proposed replacement subject to the certificate; staff had noted that the earlier application had been denied and the current request constituted a new application that the commission could vote on.
