Calistoga panel approves exterior renovation for historic building at 1364 Lincoln Avenue

The Calistoga Planning Commission on Nov. 13 unanimously approved Design Review DR 2024-1 to allow exterior renovations to the ground floor of the historic commercial building at 1364 Lincoln Avenue that will house a restaurant and bar on the ground floor and office space on the second floor.

Staff recommended the commission find the proposal exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and adopt the resolution approving the design review. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Penske, Tuohy, Keiser, Vice Chair Vaughn and Chair Wilks recorded as aye.

Virginia Thomas of Pound Management, the owners'representative, said the project team worked with historical consultants and that the proposal focuses on restoring the ground-floor storefront to period-appropriate materials while addressing long-term structural constraints. Architect Matthew Evans said the second floor has largely retained historic character, while the ground floor has been modified over time; the project calls for removing non-original elements and installing a wood-and-clear-glass storefront with an off-center entry and a non-operable faux storefront door to maintain second-floor access without major structural alterations. Evans described rear-alley improvements that replace deteriorated vertical siding with an alternating wood-board pattern and add a rear entrance and service gate to improve safety for staff and patrons.

Commissioners sought clarification about the storefront design and public visibility from the street. Thomas said the team plans to use heavy draperies to control light for a "moody" dining experience and that the storefront treatment is intended to limit outward visibility from the sidewalk. Evans said the storefront portion adjacent to the second-floor access would include interior panic hardware to permit interior egress but would not provide public access to second-floor offices.

Chair Wilks and other commissioners praised the front-fae7ade restoration and the cleanup of the rear elevation, noting the approach generally follows historic-practice guidance to make new work visually distinguishable from original fabric. One commissioner raised concern about the decision to visually close the ground floor from the street; the concern was noted in the discussion but did not block approval.

The applicant said they are pricing contractors and planning interior work; staff did not provide a specific building-permit or construction start date. The commission'approved resolution and the CEQA finding are the formal approvals required before the applicant pursues permits.

The commission closed the public hearing and voted to adopt the design review.