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Scottsdale council reverses historic-preservation denial, allows homeowner's balcony screen
Summary
The council reversed a 3-3 historic-preservation commission denial and granted a certificate of appropriateness to enclose a second-story balcony with a screen, after the applicant and neighbors said the installation is visually unobtrusive and necessary for pet safety.
The Scottsdale City Council on Aug. 25 acted as an appellate body and reversed a Historic Preservation Commission denial that had left a certificate-of-appropriateness request for an upper-story balcony screen in a tie 3-3 (a tie is recorded as a denial under commission bylaws). Mayor Lisa Boroski moved to reverse the commission decision; the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Solange Whitehead and vocal approval was recorded.
Staff presented the case and referenced applicable guidelines, citing Policy 13.2 (avoid applying a new exterior material that obscures historic patterns) and Policy 19.4 (avoid installing exterior shade screens that obscure historic windows or doors). Historic-preservation staff said the commission voted to deny after concerns the installation could be inconsistent with those guidelines.
The applicant's attorney, Tim Lasota, told the council the screen has been in place for six years, said the homeowner's HOA supported it, and called it "not stucco or siding...we're talking about a screen" intended to keep a pet safe. Neighbors spoke in support: Diane Frank said the denial was "possibly the most absurd ruling I've heard yet from historic commission," and other nearby residents said the screen is reasonable given heat and local wildlife.
Council discussion centered on the narrowness of the commission vote and neighborhood sentiment. The council reversed the HPC's decision and approved the certificate of appropriateness; the transcript records an affirmative vote but does not provide a full roll-call breakdown in the excerpt.
Clarifying details: staff noted the site is in the Via Monterey historic district with R-5 HP zoning and that the commission had requested more information at a prior hearing before voting. The council's decision restores the applicant's prior condition rather than imposing additional stipulations at the time of the reversal.
Next steps: staff will implement the council's reversal; no additional conditions were recorded in the meeting transcript.
