Historic commission approves color scheme for 304 South Main after member requests clearer minutes

The Middletown City Historic Commission voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for 304 South Main Street after commissioners said the applicant's revised color palette better fit the neighborhood.

Commission business opened with a procedural discussion about meeting minutes. An unidentified commissioner asked that the minutes note that "Mister Schainlein commented that the colors were appropriate for the period in the district, but it was their inclusion in the mix of the broader neighborhood" to reflect that concerns centered on how the chosen colors fit with neighboring properties rather than the building's individual scheme. Staff offered to make the requested wording change and commissioners agreed to approve the earlier minutes contingent on that revision.

On the 304 South Main application, the commission examined updated materials showing the applicant kept the same palette but changed which hue served as the primary color and retained dark green trim. A commissioner who had raised the original concern said she had consulted neighbors and found the revised scheme (more grays with green trim) acceptable and moved to approve, subject to the stated revision to the minutes. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call; the named members recorded in the roll call voted yes: Gabe Schanelen; Ryan Daniel; Matthew Dixon; Corey Carter; and Andy Kramer.

Commissioners said the discussion focused on neighborhood fit and precedent rather than a claim that the new colors were inherently inappropriate for the building's period. Staff will update the minutes as requested and the certificate approval stands as recorded.