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Fredericksburg ARB approves convertible lift and awning at 1205 Prince Edward to improve accessibility
Summary
The Architectural Review Board unanimously approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a removable convertible lift and a small awning at 1205 Prince Edward Street, citing staff findings that the reversible metal unit and fabric awning would not harm historic materials and would improve accessibility for the homeowner's wheelchair user.
The Fredericksburg Architectural Review Board on the evening of the meeting unanimously approved a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA 2040976) allowing a convertible mechanical lift and a metal-framed fabric awning at 1205 Prince Edward Street.
Staff recommended approval, concluding the proposed lift and awning—installed on a secondary elevation and using reversible elements—would not cause adverse impacts to the contributing late-19th-century dwelling in the historic district. The staff presentation described the lift as a metal-frame step unit that converts to a flat platform and mounts at the door threshold; the awning is proposed as a 40.5-inch-wide, 24-inch-tall fabric canopy projecting 48 inches.
Applicant Chris Hornung, who identified himself as a resident at 1205 Prince Edward and said his daughter uses a wheelchair, told the board the lift “looks like stairs when it's in its normal configuration” and is reversible and removable. Hornung said the family planned a black finish to match existing house features and noted the lift would allow access without altering the historic doorway. A representative for Historic Fredericksburg, Inc. (HFI) also indicated concurrence with staff recommendations.
Board members asked a practicality question about backup power for use in an outage but otherwise endorsed staff analysis. One member said the combination of a secondary-elevation location, reversible installation, and materials selection supported approval under the Historic District design guidelines. The ARB voted 7-0 to approve the COA as applied.
The approval allows the applicant to install the specified lift and awning subject to the conditions reviewed during the hearing. The ARB closed consideration of the item and proceeded to the next agenda matter.
