Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves carport design and requires repair of historic trim rather than vinyl covering
Summary
The commission approved a carport design for the Swink property in the Beech Street National Register district but, after discussion, adopted a motion favoring repair and retention of historic wood fascia over covering it with vinyl or aluminum.
The Texarkana Historic District Commission examined a request from Virgil and Denise Swink to renovate a property in the Beech Street National Register district, including construction of a side carport and replacement of wood fascia.
Staff described the property location and setback constraints; the applicants explained they would move a fence to accommodate a carport and showed commissioners examples of proposed carport designs. Commissioners asked whether the carport would be visible from the street, whether the roofline and arch would match the house, and whether the carport materials and soffits would be historically appropriate.
The chair and multiple commissioners cited preservation standards in urging repair rather than covering original wood trim. The chair referenced federal guidance, saying the Department of the Interior "advise[s] against the covering [of] wood fascia with aluminum," and recommended repairing or replacing rotten wood rather than applying nonhistoric materials that could obscure historic character.
After discussing setback and permitting questions — including the need to obtain any required waiver or city approval for reduced setbacks — commissioners moved to approve the presented carport design (option 2) and then separately moved to require that trim and fascia be repaired and retained as wood rather than being covered with vinyl or aluminum. The motions were seconded and roll‑call votes were recorded in favor of both actions.
Commissioners noted that some neighboring houses already have nonhistoric siding installed prior to the district designation but said that future requests should preserve remaining original materials where feasible. The commission clarified it does not control city setback waivers and directed the applicants to coordinate with the city permit office for any setback/waiver approvals needed before construction.
The motions recorded at the meeting allow the applicants to proceed with the approved carport design, subject to the requirement that any trim/fascia work preserve historic wood where practical and to any city permitting processes.
