Brighton council approves historic landmark designation for 319 South Main Street, 6–1

The Brighton City Council voted 6–1 on Nov. 4, 2025, to designate 319 South Main Street as a local historic landmark, granting the property protections aimed at preserving its exterior character.

Emma Lane, the city’s senior planner and historic preservationist, told the council the residence — built around 1902 and associated with early Brighton developer Daniel F. Carmichael — meets multiple criteria in the City’s Land Use and Development Code, including architectural significance as a vernacular folk-Victorian house and historical association with Brighton’s founding era. "The house provides a great example of folk Victorian architectural style," Lane said, and staff recommended approval after a unanimous recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 25, 2025.

Lane said the designation "is 99% of the time exterior," explaining that the city typically limits historic controls to outside work unless an interior feature is specifically identified. She also said the designation "does prevent demolition" and can open preservation funding opportunities. Council members pressed staff on reversibility; Lane said removing a local designation would require the same public‑hearing process used for designation and review by the Historic Preservation Commission and city council, consistent with the city’s certified local government (CLG) obligations.

Property representative Trevor Fonestill told the council the owners plan a neighborhood-oriented coffee shop on the ground floor and offices upstairs: "We wanted to put a coffee shop in there," he said, adding that submitted plans show the second floor as office space. Council members asked about accessibility and whether the upstairs would be used for seating; Fonestill said the upstairs is intended for office use.

Council member Fiddler moved to approve the designation; Council member Taddeo seconded. The measure passed on a roll call vote, 6 in favor, 1 opposed, with one member absent.

The designation makes the property eligible for preservation grants and tax-credit programs the city cited during the presentation and establishes a local review process for proposed exterior changes. The council approved the item as a first-reading ordinance; staff noted that code provisions (including criteria in section 10.03 and related provisions of the Land Use and Development Code) guide future Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior work.

The council did not receive any in-person public testimony opposing the designation during the hearing; staff reported no formal public comments filed before the meeting. The applicant did not request additional public testimony and was available for council questions. The council’s action preserves the building’s exterior as part of downtown redevelopment plans while allowing some flexibility on non‑principal elevations, Lane said.