Fredericksburg ARB approves flood barriers and rooftop solar, continues stair and infill reviews

The Fredericksburg Architectural Review Board voted Feb. 9 to approve required floodproofing channels for a recently constructed building in the floodplain and to allow a rooftop solar installation at 1318 Caroline Street, both with conditions, while continuing other applications to gather more technical information.

Chair Kelly Penick opened the public-hearing portion of the meeting and the board heard staff explain that commercial ground-floor spaces in the floodplain must be dry floodproofed. Staff described aluminum channels permanently anchored to masonry into which removable metal barriers slide during flood events. Charity Owens, the property manager, said the work "is a requirement, so we did as much downsizing as we could to affect the exterior of the building." The board approved the certificate of appropriateness with a condition that the installed barriers reach at least 5 feet in height to meet floodproofing standards.

On a separate application, staff and the Renwick fellow detailed a proposal for 14 solar panels on a circa-1910 contributing house at 1318 Caroline Street; the array would place 11 panels on the south slope and three on the north slope, with panels set about 1.5 inches thick and a maximum of 6 inches off the roof surface. Staff recommended approval on the condition that panels be set back at least 6 inches from the roof eaves; the board approved that motion 6-0. Board members raised concerns about ice shedding from panels during storms; one member with rooftop experience said he had not observed the problem over several days after an ice storm but asked staff to investigate as solar installations increase.

The board reviewed a more detailed and contested proposal for 1101 Caroline Street to reface five sets of stairs and replace railings. John Alvertar, the applicant, said the work "is going to be exactly the same" visually but noted he plans to install new aluminum railings to match the existing appearance. Historic Fredericksburg Foundation urged the board to retain historic fabric and avoid "widespread and irreversible treatment," and board members requested manufacturer specifications and installation details (including how pavers would be anchored on risers and how the work might affect existing door thresholds). The board voted to continue that application to the March 9 meeting to allow the applicant to supply additional technical documentation.

For 1104 Caroline Street, the board accepted staff’s finding that a small detached garage is noncontributing and approved its demolition; the board continued review of the new infill’s site planning, scale and massing pending revised documents and additional context drawings. Staff noted that archaeological review will be required as part of the residential lot grading and permitting process and that the city’s archaeological consultant will likely require a Phase I study, paid by the city.

Votes at a glance: - COA 2601-0166 (floodproofing channels): approved with condition that barriers reach at least 5 feet; vote 6-0. - COA 25120165 (1318 Caroline Street, solar): approved with condition that panels be set back at least 6 inches from eaves; vote 6-0. - COA 2601-0168 (1101 Caroline Street, steps/railings): continued to March 9 for additional technical details; vote to continue 6-0. - COA 2601-0169 (1104 Caroline Street): demolition of noncontributing accessory garage approved; remainder of application (massing/scale) continued pending revised documents; vote 6-0.

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2026.