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HARB approves seasonal permts for temporary Cordova Street pergolas with conditions
Summary
HARB approved a seasonal certificate of appropriateness allowing four temporary cedar pergolas at 6 Cordova Street for Nights of Lights, subject to conditions including canvas covers (not plastic), secure anchoring to decking, and removal by Jan. 30, 2026; staff and neighbors had raised prior code-enforcement concerns.
The Historic Architecture Review Board voted Nov. 20 to allow temporary wooden pergolas at 6 Cordova Street for the city’s Nights of Lights season, but attached several conditions after discussing prior unpermitted installations.
Applicant Amy Tilbury said the pergolas are intended as kiosks and covered vendor/sales areas during the event; staff reminded the board last year’s installations led to a code-enforcement case. Staff recommended approval only if the structures are visually compatible and meet conditions: canvas or sailcloth covers (not Visqueen/plastic), decking details and anchoring be provided, and all pergolas be removed no later than Jan. 30, 2026. Tilbury committed to using canvas and to remove the structures by the deadline.
Public commenters and several board members raised crowd-control and safety concerns for the busy holiday period; Tilbury explained the decking and anchoring details and said heavy decking had been used previously and the applicant is willing to bolt components to the deck to prevent movement. The motion the board adopted required (a) canvas covers not plastic, (b) pergolas removed by Jan. 30, 2026, (c) secure anchoring and decking details to be provided to staff, and (d) that repeat season installations require HARB approval for any changes.
Vote: the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes. Staff will confirm final anchoring/detail drawings prior to issuing an approval that allows seasonal installation.
