HARB approves filling pool for parking at 120 Avenida Menendez with archaeology and design conditions

The Historic Architectural Review Board on Wednesday approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing the owner of 120 Avenida Menendez to fill an existing pool and convert the area to parking, provided archaeological requirements are satisfied and staff sign off on the final planter and landscape details.

Staff told the board the applicant submitted a revised site plan and an A14 archaeological application with monitoring requirements; without evidence to the contrary, staff recommended the certificate if the board agreed the proposed expansion met the Secretary of the Interior’s rehabilitation standard for compatible contemporary design. "The board approves the filling of the existing pool once archaeological requirements have been met," staff said during the presentation.

James White house, counsel for the owner and representing Prabhu, LLC, told the board archaeological issues raised at the prior hearing have been addressed and that the revised conceptual drawings include planter boxes atop the existing east wall and additional buffers to screen the parking from Avenida Menendez. "They have met all those requirements and have gotten their building permit," White house said, asking the board for a positive finding.

Board members focused their questions on whether the proposed planter boxes would be wide and deep enough to sustain plantings and what species would be used. One board member noted the existing wall is an 8‑inch concrete masonry unit and asked how the planters could be constructed without overhanging or creating structural problems. White house said the plan is conceptual and that the applicant will finalize constructability and work with staff; preapproved native plants under the AGHP could be administratively approved.

Several members also raised concerns that some preparatory work began before an application and archaeological review were complete. Staff clarified the archaeological application was incomplete when some cleanup of coping and deck occurred, but that digging beneath the pool had not happened and archaeology placed monitoring conditions on the project. "Archaeology said, 'you're not digging anything up,'" White house said, explaining staff had the contractor stop work and the application was completed.

The board moved and seconded to approve the concept design and to authorize staff to work with the applicant on constructability and final planting details. The motion passed on a voice/roll call vote; members voting in favor included Brad Beach, Paul Weaver, Linda Potter, Barbara Wingo and others present.

Next steps: staff will finalize archaeology monitoring documentation and review the drawing of record and landscaping details; if plan elements change substantially the applicant will return to HARB for further review.