The Opelika Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for an extensive exterior renovation of the Robertson Husky House at 601 South Railroad Avenue, staff said at the commission’s December meeting.

Staff described a broad package of changes that would remove existing vinyl siding, replace it with smooth-surface hardy plank (four-inch exposure on the main structure and five-inch on a rear addition), enclose the crawl space with brick to match existing foundations, replace rotted front steps, reinstall matching roofing materials and upgrade dormer drums to standing seam metal while preserving the drum shapes. The plan also calls for installing operable wood shutters, enclosing a rear window to allow for an interior restroom, adding a new ADA-compliant ramp at the existing back door, and placing a widow’s walk or cupola guided by historic photos. A small rear shed would be demolished to create additional parking; the applicant proposed a parking surface of crushed brick or similar material rather than poured concrete.

Why it matters: The commission framed the vote as a preservation-minded approval that balances historic character with bringing the building back into active use. Staff emphasized that the commission’s approvals are contingent on subsequent site-plan and landscape-review approvals from the Planning Department, and that applicants must return with final window and ramp designs before installation.

Jake Whaley, who identified himself as the listed applicant, told the commission he and partner Scott Littlepage plan to use the property for private office space and aim to "plant a long term flag in the city," praising the current owner David Klapetak for preserving the property. Whaley said the applicants sought conceptual alignment from the commission before finalizing purchase and detailed construction work.

Commissioners questioned several practical details during the presentation and applicant remarks. Staff and the applicants clarified that the existing rear ramp is concrete and currently not ADA-compliant; the applicants said their baseline for the ramp is a budget-friendly concrete solution but expressed interest in alternative materials if feasible. Commissioners also discussed the existing curb cut off Railroad Avenue (noted in staff materials as 24 feet at that location), possible engineering review for any curb-cut changes, and the need to return with final window and landscape specifications.

The commission recorded a motion to approve the COA; Speaker 4 moved and the motion received seconds. The vote was taken verbally and the chair declared the motion approved. Staff reiterated that final approvals require Planning Department sign-off on site and landscape reviews and that applicants must return with detailed designs for specified elements.

What’s next: The applicants will return with design-level details for windows, the ADA ramp and any cupola/widow’s-walk feature for final review. The commission’s COA approval is contingent on Planning Department approvals and any required engineering reviews for curb-cut work.