Commission presses for alternatives and technical detail on proposed elevator at 122 Buttles Avenue

At a conceptual review of a proposed elevator addition at 122 Buttles Avenue, the Victorian Village Commission pressed the applicant to study less intrusive alternatives and to provide detailed structural and foundation information before the commission would consider approval.

Staff described the proposal as including demolition of a side porch and construction of an 80-square-foot addition housing an elevator shaft, with materials proposed including brick veneer, split-face concrete block foundation and pine trim. The staff report cited National Park Service accessibility guidance and recommended the commission offer design feedback rather than take action.

Applicant Thaddeus Jones said the chosen location was intended to provide grade-level access with minimal impact to the home's primary facade and that interior alternatives would require substantial interior foundation work. "This location is the least amount of impact to the historic details of the building," he said.

Commissioners raised concerns that the rear/side porch may be historic and urged the applicant to consider alternatives: an interior elevator with an accessible ramp, moving the entry to an alternate terrace area, or design choices that more clearly differentiate new work from the historic house. Commissioners requested clearer product specifications (e.g., whether proposed brick would match existing), foundation/zone-of-influence studies showing how new footings would avoid damaging existing foundations, roof form studies (commission favored a hip roof over a gable), and specific details on how openings covered by the addition would be treated or preserved.

The commission asked the applicant to research an interior elevator or ramp alternative and return with the requested documentation. No vote was taken; the commission provided conceptual feedback only.