Owners plan to rehabilitate brick carriage house at 524 East Front; commissioners seek deck, flood and structural details

Owners Mike and Alicia Alford described a rehabilitation proposal for the brick carriage house at 524 East Front Street, a contributing resource associated with the Eli Smallwood House. The proposal would repoint exterior brick, repair and reopen historic window and door openings, reconstruct the original second floor where feasible, and add a rear deck with stairs that could serve as a carport underneath.

Staff reviewed historic documentation (Sandborn maps and the National Register inventory) and said the building appears to date from the early 19th century; commissioners reiterated that appropriate window and door proportions (a 6‑over‑6 sash was suggested) and repointing mortar details will be necessary. The property backs to the river and a floodplain line was noted; staff said some flood requirements may be relaxed where a structure is recognized as contributing, but the deck will need to be structurally separated from the historic masonry and must meet applicable flood‑plain structural requirements. The applicant said some design elements depended on what structural repairs prove feasible once interior stabilization proceeds.

Commissioners asked the applicants to provide a site plan showing the proposed deck, structural details demonstrating separation from the carriage house, a plan for compliance with floodplain requirements, and clarification on the proposed windows and shutters. The commission anticipates a subsequent hearing once those materials are submitted.