Board approves waivers and minor review for renovations at Old Oscar site (72–84 North High, 20 North Street)

The Dublin Architecture Review Board voted to approve three waivers and grant minor project review for renovation work at the Old Oscar site, covering 72–84 North High Street and 20 North Street.

Sarah Holt, staff, described the multi-building project on roughly three-quarters of an acre at the northern edge of the historic district. Proposed changes preserve key signature features — including the stone foundation and box-bay windows — while simplifying some trim and adding new windows, decking and railing that link buildings. The applicant requested waivers for aluminum windows, TimberTech decking/handrails and Boral (cementitious) siding adjacent to the ground. Staff recommended approving all three waivers and the minor project, subject to three conditions addressing coordination of landscaping and encroachments with ongoing utility and right-of-way work.

Applicants Tim Bass and Ethan McGorry noted the design responses incorporate simpler box bay details and a two-color siding palette intended to break up massing, and said they were coordinating with AEP and city asset management on utilities and the historic stone wall along North Street. Holt said the city will take responsibility for repairing the existing historic wall and that encroachment permits will be required for stair and site elements that impinge upon the right of way.

The board approved the three waivers in a single motion and then approved the minor project with the three staff conditions. Members stressed coordination to avoid rework if utility or street improvements change the right-of-way, and asked staff to monitor construction where plans diverge from approved windows and materials.