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Commission approves addition at 718 Grama/Grant with conditions; refuses proposed front-porch alteration
Summary
The commission approved an addition at 718 Grama (Longfellow Historic District) using exceptions for foundation and siding, revised the roof condition to allow either asphalt shingles or a matching metal roof, and did not approve the proposed front-porch alteration that would remove historic balustrade.
Preservation staff recommended approval of a two-part project at 718 Grama (presented as Grant/Grama Street in the packet) in the Longfellow Historic District with conditions: allow a rear enclosed addition clad in lap siding under an exception to the masonry guideline, require typical trim and alignment of the water table with the house, revise the roof to a hipped form, and deny the proposed front-porch alteration because it would remove a historic balustrade.
Staff described the existing house as one of the oldest in the district and argued that the enclosed rear porch is in poor condition and suitable for demolition and replacement. Staff recommended a hipped roof and suggested asphalt shingles for the addition so future roof replacements would match; staff also noted an existing exception in masonry guidance that allows wood siding on additions to brick buildings.
The architect/contractor Peter Carell of Martin Construction said the owners wanted a more welcoming, street-facing entrance: “the intent with [the] change in the entrance was to have more of a connection to the street, kind of a more open welcoming front porch,” he said. He added that the rear addition was the part the owners most wanted to address.
Commissioner Tholman moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the addition using exceptions for foundation material and siding and with conditions: include standard trim, align the water table with the existing soldier brick course, revise the roof to a hip roof with exposed rafter tails, and require a wood or fiberglass passage door; the porch alteration was not approved. Bowman later amended the motion to permit the roof material to be either asphalt shingles or a metal roof that matches the existing roof; Wagner seconded the amendment.
The motion, as amended, passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The approval allows the rear addition under the specified exceptions and requires the owner to follow the trim, water-table alignment and roofing conditions noted in the staff report. The front-porch alteration that would remove historic balustrade remains disapproved unless a subsequent exception is proposed and justified.
