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Commission grants retroactive approval for 201 Franklin Ave E but bars vinyl siding
Summary
The Heritage Preservation Commission granted retroactive approval for siding, roof and gutter work at 201 Franklin Avenue East but retained staff conditions that explicitly prohibit vinyl siding, requiring fiber cement, composite wood or equivalent materials instead.
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission on Dec. 2, 2025 approved a retroactive certificate of appropriateness for 201 Franklin Avenue East in the Washburn-Fair Oaks Historic District but kept staff’s prohibition on vinyl siding.
Erin Kaye, senior city planner with CPED’s historic preservation subsection, told commissioners staff received a 3-1-1 inquiry about unpermitted siding replacement after an August 2023 hailstorm and that the district’s design guidelines do not consider vinyl an appropriate substitute for historic wood siding. Staff recommended three conditions if the commission approved retroactive work: use fiber cement, composite wood or similar materials (vinyl is not permitted); coordinate siding direction and dimensions with staff; and replace gutters with metal K-style or half-round profiles to avoid obscuring historic features.
Owner and applicant Nicholas David Bates, who identified himself as the property owner at 201 East Franklin Avenue and representative of the property-management business "Cos of 26," said insurance limits and the condition of prior siding led him to install a synthetic vinyl product described as a high-grade, wood-look textured siding. Bates asked the commission to approve staff conditions 2 and 3 while striking condition 1 (the ban on vinyl) to avoid a second costly replacement, saying the installed material was chosen to balance durability and affordability.
Commissioners pressed the owner on occupancy (he said the building is a six-unit property and is occupied), cost estimates (the owner said alternative materials would cost about $60,000 and the vinyl installation cost about $35,000), and the timeline — the owner said the siding was approximately 98% finished when the city inspector flagged the lack of a permit. Commissioners discussed whether economic hardship could be considered; staff advised economic hardship is not within the commission’s purview.
Andrea Burke, CPED supervisor for historic preservation, said the Washburn-Fair Oaks design guidelines were adopted in July 2024 and reiterated, "Vinyl siding is not permitted." Commissioner Melblum moved to approve the retroactive certificate subject to staff conditions 1–3; Commissioner Rodriguez seconded. Roll call recorded eight ayes and the motion passed.
The commission’s action allows replacement siding, roof and gutters to proceed only if the owner selects an approved alternative to vinyl and coordinates final details with staff as required by the adopted conditions. The ordinance changes staff summarized take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
