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Hanover board overrides architectural board, approves exterior trim for Wickham annex and directs roof inclusion review
Summary
After the Architectural Review Board denied an exterior-trim package for the Wickham Building annex because it omitted a mansard roof, the Board of Supervisors overrode the ARB denial, approved the trim package within the approved budget and directed staff to pursue adding a roof option that more closely matches campus buildings (board members cited budget and schedule trade-offs).
The Hanover County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 reviewed competing recommendations from the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and the facilities and finance committees over the Wickham Building annex renovation.
Staff presented the exterior-trim package, and noted an earlier proposal had included a mansard roof estimated at roughly $400,000; the ARB denied the trim package because it excluded the roof and said the design felt incomplete without it. Facilities and finance committees, concerned about budget and schedule impacts, recommended proceeding without the roof.
After discussion the board voted to deny the ARB's decision to deny the exterior-trim package, effectively approving the trim package in the current drawings and directing staff to explore adding a roof that "more closely matches the other roofs in the courthouse campus" while recognizing cost and timing implications. Supporters of the override emphasized fiscal responsibility and staying within the project's budget; board members voting in favor said the existing flat roof is structurally sound and that the trim and window replacements will improve the building while keeping the renovation on schedule.
Why it matters: The decision balances historic-campus appearance, project budgets and construction schedules. Staff warned adding the mansard roof now could increase costs and delay the project while potentially affecting associated warranties and the registrar's office schedule.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with the approved exterior-trim package; the board directed further work to identify how a roof feature could be integrated and to report back if costs or schedule impacts change.
