Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Coas And Restoration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves multiple COAs; Somerville house retains neighbor support but windows deferred
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission approved several certificates of appropriateness Nov. 20, including signage for Emile's and a standing‑seam metal roof at 344 Telfair, approved retaining walls at 1218 Winter Street but deferred a decision on replacement windows pending manufacturer specs, and approved a rear addition at 2102 Central Ave.
The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 20 considered a slate of certificates of appropriateness (COAs) and took formal votes on signage, roofing, retaining walls and an addition.
Todd Kennedy of the planning and development staff presented COA25‑62, a commercial signage request for Emile's at 902 Broad Street. Staff concluded the proposed vintage‑style aluminum sign complies with downtown design guidelines; Elizabeth Agostino of Keen Signs and Graphics confirmed the sign would be aluminum with a black overhang and vintage LED lettering. A motion to approve passed (vote reported as 7–0).
On COA25‑64 (344 Telfair Street), staff initially recommended denial of a proposed architectural shingle roof in favor of retaining the original standing‑seam metal roof material, but staff received a revised submittal and recommended approval of a standing‑seam metal roof. The amended application called for 16‑inch wide panels with a 1‑inch vertical lap; the commission voted to approve the amended metal‑roof application.
COA25‑65 at 1218 Winter Street in Somerville generated the lengthiest public comment. Applicant Jacob Cady defended his renovation, saying, "I have no intention not to preserve this house. I love this house and have spent every single day there for the past year," and presented neighborhood comparisons showing similar windows and walls. Several neighbors—Shane Claffey, Bellinger Moody, David Watts, William Quinn and others—spoke in support, describing the previously dilapidated condition and praising the applicant's restoration work. Conversely, staff noted that replacement windows had been installed without COA approval and that documentation showing the original windows were beyond repair or drawings/specs matching the original muntin profiles was not in the record. Shane Claffey told the commission that an emailed neighbor complaint contained incorrect facts: "It is false. Completely false," he said, referring to assertions in that email.
To reconcile those points, commissioners separated the elements of the application: they approved the retaining walls (finding the chosen materials compatible) subject to acquiring required permits, and deferred action on the windows until the applicant provides manufacturer spec sheets and documentation (historic photos or measured profiles) showing the need for replacement. The motion to approve the walls and defer the windows carried 6–1.
COA25‑66 (2102 Central Avenue) proposed a roughly 1,470‑square‑foot rear addition to a health clinic building using brick and stucco to match the existing structure. Architect Zach Shimoff was present to answer questions; with no outstanding concerns, the commission approved the addition (tally recorded in the meeting as 6–1).
Next steps: For the Somerville windows the commission requested measurable specifications and manufacturer documentation (Manor spec sheet or equivalent) and asked staff to place the windows back on the agenda after the applicant supplies the requested materials. For approved items, staff will proceed with standard permit/administrative follow‑up.
