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Historic Review Board OKs Bethany Lutheran preschool plan, approves demolition and rerating requests
Summary
The board approved a staff-supported certificate of appropriateness for Bethany Lutheran Church to rerate a garage, demolish three outbuildings and build a ~16,887 sq ft preschool, while church representatives said restoration of other historic structures is on a 1–3 year internal timeline.
The Fredericksburg Historic Review Board voted to approve an application from Bethany Lutheran Church that clears the way for a new preschool and the demolition and rerating of several ancillary structures. Chair David Bullion called the motion after staff presented the project as consistent with the 2018 master plan and the city's design guidelines.
Shelby, the city preservation planner, told the board the application requested three specific items: the rerating of an existing garage from high to low, demolition of three low-rated outbuildings and construction of a single, roughly 16,887-square-foot preschool. "Staff recommends approval of those remaining requests," Shelby said, citing compliance with the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the design guidelines on setbacks, massing and materials.
Board members questioned structural impacts of removing a garage attached to a high-rated resource; architect Randy Stadel said the garage is "barely touching" the older building and its removal would not compromise the primary structure. Paul Parker and Pastor Kevin Howell, speaking for the church, described a newly formed task force and property-committee timeline: Howell said the property committee has scheduled stabilization and restoration work for some of Bethany's buildings within "1 to 3 years." Parker and other speakers emphasized a commitment to stabilizing the historic resource while proceeding with the preschool project.
After discussion, a board member moved to approve application 2024-1162 for 114 and 110 West Austin "as presented." The motion received a second and the board approved the application by voice vote; the minutes record the outcome as "motion carries." The board noted that building permits and administrative site-plan approvals remain required before construction may begin.
The decision leaves intact staff recommendations intended to protect the site's remaining high-rated resource and requires the applicant to follow administrative review for final site plan and material choices. The church said it will pursue available preservation grants and stabilization work as it moves forward.
