The Montgomery City Architecture Review Board on an evening meeting approved a series of residential and small commercial exterior projects, voting to grant certificates of appropriateness for a detached-garage replacement at 1217 Magnolia Curve and an accessory recreation building at 797 Felder Avenue, among other items.

Applicant Susan Chapman said the garage at 1217 Magnolia Curve is "not salvageable" and asked to replace it with a small carport and storage; an architect for the property, Katie Crabtree, told the board the new work would be painted to match the house. The board moved to approve "as submitted," and the motion carried.

Shawn and Kim Sable requested permission to build a separate accessory structure for recreation at 797 Felder Avenue, saying it would be visible from the road but would not contain living quarters and would not require tree removals. Staff and neighbors supported the design; the board approved the application after staff advised the applicants they may need to seek a special use exception from the Board of Adjustments and that staff (Andrea or Tanya) would follow up.

Ron Neal sought approval to replace a rotten wood roof at 402 South Perry Street with GAF architectural composition shingles in a "modest weather wood" color. The board approved the shingle replacement after confirming the color and material match the neighborhood context.

At 2044 Ridge Avenue in Old Cloverdale, applicant Peter Philando said original wood windows had deteriorated and that a quote for wood-clad replacements approached $44,000; he proposed installing Pella windows that meet the staff recommendation. Scott Pierce, president of the Cloverdale Association, told the board the association had no objection but asked whether maintenance enforcement exists for future deterioration. Staff member Sean said the historic preservation code requires maintenance and staff can investigate and document issues for potential enforcement. The board recommended using raised-profile hardware on the replacement windows; the applicant agreed and the board approved the replacement.

An item for Natalie McKenzie at 1286 Lawrence Street was moved to the next meeting after staff said they had not heard from the applicant.

Colin Campbell, speaking for owner Victoria Campbell, asked to demolish the building at 22 North California and to combine that vacant lot with 1903 Madison Avenue; he said the current owner acquired the property in November 2024 and that the building shows little historic character and is costly to rehabilitate. Longtime resident Paul Robinson said the store had been important years ago but agreed demolition was appropriate. The board voted to approve the demolition application as submitted.

The board approved the minutes of its previous meeting without corrections and adjourned with holiday greetings.

What happens next: staff will follow up with applicants about any required Board of Adjustments hearings, contact information for plan submission (Mister Rose), and any maintenance investigations noted under the historic preservation code. Appeals of final denials (if any occur in the future) must be filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court within 30 days of receipt of the final notice.