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Commission denies retroactive window alteration at Healy Block home; orders restoration
Summary
The commission denied a certificate of appropriateness for unpermitted window alterations at 3123 2nd Avenue South (Rufus H. Lane House) after staff found the vinyl replacements destroyed a character-defining arched window; commissioners voted unanimously to deny and directed restoration of the original configuration.
The Heritage Preservation Commission unanimously denied on Jan. 27 a retroactive Certificate of Appropriateness for window alterations at 3123 2nd Avenue South in the Healy Block Historic District.
Rob Skolecki of CPED told commissioners that city inspectors discovered unpermitted removal of a historic semicircular arched window and installation of vinyl windows. Staff found that the completed work and the applicant’s proposed further alterations do not meet the Healy Block Historic District design guidelines or the Secretary of the Interior’s standards and recommended denial.
Applicant representative Bridal Salgado said she is managing the property on behalf of her father and is willing to resolve the issue; she told the commission she would accept staff direction and suggested wood double-hung windows as a possible conditioned remedy. Public commenter Madeline Douglas, a nearby property owner and contributor to the district guidelines, urged the commission to require replication of the original window and to prohibit further removal of historic windows on the property.
After discussion about egress needs and possible architectural solutions (operable casement or French-style sash that preserve the arch), Commissioner Thomas moved to deny the certificate of appropriateness for the front (west) elevation; Commissioner Rodriguez seconded. Roll-call voting recorded seven ayes and the motion passed.
Erin Kaye said denial would not prevent the applicant from submitting a new application that proposed a different approach; staff and the applicant may work together on a solution that balances building-code egress requirements with restoration of the arched window.
