Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Building Alteration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic district commission approves low‑profile vent and sign for Breakfast at Tiffany’s on South Main Street
Summary
The Historic District Commission approved a removable, louvered transom vent and a window/framed sign for the Breakfast at Tiffany’s storefront at 4 South Main Street, citing the vent’s low profile and the building owner’s requirement that original glass be preserved and stored.
The Historic District Commission on [date not specified] approved a low‑profile transom vent and the applicant’s proposed sign for the Breakfast at Tiffany’s storefront at 4 South Main Street.
Commissioners said the vent — a louvered unit set to exit through existing transom glass above the storefront — is low in profile and removable, and that the building owner agreed to remove and store the historic transom glass so the installation would not permanently alter the masonry. "It's a low profile vent that does not disturb the historic architecture of the building at all," one commissioner said during discussion.
Applicant Tiffany Lochner described the proposed food service as light‑preparation only, noting the business will use flat‑top grills, a small oven, crepe and waffle makers and that there will be no fryers. "We're not gonna have the smoke…we're not gonna have the grease," she said, arguing the kitchen would be non‑invasive.
Staff and commissioners also said the town fire marshal had advised that routing venting out a rear window near gas and electric meters would not be permitted; that guidance informed the decision to place the vent at the transom. The building owner’s lease restrictions against penetrating the brickwork were a second factor; commissioners were told the owner will remove the original glass and store it in a warehouse so the storefront can be returned to its prior condition if needed.
After discussing design and precedent — several commissioners emphasized that approvals should be limited to low‑profile, removable installations — the commission voted to approve HDC‑05062611 as presented, including the vent and the sign option submitted by the applicant.
The commission’s action was recorded as approval; the motion number in the record is HDC‑05062611. The transcript does not list a roll‑call tally or identify all individual votes by name. The applicant was told to coordinate final details with staff and to pick up or arrange storage of original transom glass with the building owner.
