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Commission approves changes at 686 South Champion Avenue with conditions on windows, siding and painted masonry
Summary
The Historic Resources Commission approved an application for exterior changes at 686 South Champion Ave, requiring restoration of three rear porch window openings to original sizes, replacement of non‑historic siding, and repainting of masonry areas. The commission left a mid‑block sliding window in place for now but said future replacement must符合
The commission approved an application for exterior work at 686 South Champion Avenue that resolves several outstanding code violations while attaching conditions on windows, siding and painted masonry.
Staff presented the application and recommended returning the three rear porch windows to their historic opening sizes, replacing non‑historic vinyl siding on enclosed porches with wood or smooth cementitious siding, and repainting masonry areas now painted black to a pewter/stone color. Staff cited City Code 3.016.11 (standards of alteration) and HRC guidelines on siding and windows in recommending the conditions. A motion to grant approval with those conditions carried; the commission also required the applicant to supply window jamb/header/sill details and product information to staff.
Why it matters: the work resolves an April 2022 code notice for unapproved exterior alterations and aims to restore the rear porch elevations to a historically compatible appearance while allowing the owner to bring the property into compliance without undoing every earlier change immediately.
Key facts and conditions - Required changes: return the three rear enclosed porch windows to their historic widths (one‑over‑one configuration), replace vinyl siding on enclosed porches with either wood or smooth cementitious siding (applicant indicated Hardie as an option), and repaint areas of painted masonry to a stone/pewter color to better match original concrete/stone. - Middle sliding window: the commission accepted that a sliding window in the center opening was installed prior to the current owner and will remain in place for now. Staff said that if the sliding unit is replaced in the future, the replacement must meet the HRC window standards and be reviewed at that time. - Submittals: applicant must provide window schedule and installation details (headers/jambs/sills) and cut sheets via the portal for staff review.
Applicant comment and commission discussion Amanda Williams, a design consultant for the owner, told the commission she lacked historic photos for the middle opening because the current owner purchased the house with that window already in place and had limited documentation of prior work. Staff acknowledged that long‑standing, unapproved alterations sometimes remain until replacement is necessary; commissioners agreed to allow the middle sliding window to remain for now but emphasized that future replacements must conform to the windows list and HRC guidelines.
Next steps Staff will accept the requested files through the project portal and verify that the specified siding material and paint color meet the conditions. If the middle sliding window is later replaced, the applicant will need to return for review.
