Board approves 305 West Vine Avenue building but bars lap siding and requires finished balcony/porch ceilings

The Design Review Board voted April 15 to approve a new primary structure at 305 West Vine Avenue, clearing the certificate of appropriateness while attaching several material and detailing conditions after extended discussion.

Staff presented elevations that rely heavily on brick for the first three floors with fiber‑cement and panel materials on upper levels; the site includes tuck‑under parking and two access points from Vine Avenue. Applicant representatives identified the site’s existing surface lot (about 70–80 spaces) and explained a phased approach with the current building as phase one.

Board members pressed the applicant on multiple design matters: the visibility and screening of the tuck‑under parking, the material profile of the fiber‑cement cladding and whether horizontal lap siding was appropriate for a downtown commercial context, and the finish of balcony and porch undersides. Several members said lap siding reads as residential and urged orthogonal paneling or shiplap style reveals instead. Tony Allen and Cameron Bolen expressed concern that lap siding conveys a lower‑grade residential look; Sarah Martin proposed language to require orthogonal fiber‑cement cladding (not sloped lap) and that porch/balcony undersides be finished rather than exposed structure.

Applicant Daniel Smith and development partner Lee Birch acknowledged the board’s concerns and said they would work with architects to refine cladding details and provide a landscape plan showing parking screening. Sarah Martin moved approval per staff recommendations with added provisions that all fiber‑cement cladding be orthogonal (not lap) and that balcony and porch undersides have a finished ceiling; Cameron Bolen seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote. Staff will review final landscape and signage packages during permitting and the applicant said they may return with gate or security details as needed.