Board approves exterior work at 5645 Liberty Avenue; emergency repairs noted

At its Jan. 8 meeting the Historic Design Review Board approved exterior renovations for 5645 Liberty Avenue, where applicant Audrey Addy proposed replacing four windows, installing two front shutters and repainting an east wall to match existing blue trim.

Audrey Addy, who identified herself as a residential home inspector and the applicant for the Liberty Avenue work, told the board she preferred to match the existing blue and use cedar for a limited number of trim pieces. "I love that old building," Addy said, describing plans to replace front windows immediately and complete remaining replacements in the summer; she said she had ordered all four windows to get matching units.

Board members discussed material choices — Addy said she did not favor full wood windows for budget reasons and planned to use vinyl where appropriate to keep costs down — and asked clarifying questions about an exhaust vent and an OSB-covered window that Addy said she would address. After discussion a board member moved to accept the proposal as presented; the motion was seconded and announced as carried.

The board also addressed two emergency-repair items: a Berry Street Roofing emergency roof repair (applicant listed as Robin Burns) that the board noted would likely not attend and a 523 Washington emergency garage/door repair after a resident reported a door fell and nearly struck a car. Both emergency items were accepted as presented.

The meeting adjourned after the board scheduled its next meeting for Feb. 5, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the court complex.