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Commission defers 1724 North 10th project after design, massing concerns
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission deferred DRH26-000036 (1724 North 10th) to the April 27 meeting after staff and neighbors said the proposed two-story massing and roof forms were incompatible with the block's modest one-story cottages; the vote to defer was 6-1.
Boise's Historic Preservation Commission voted to defer action on a proposed new single-family residence with an accessory dwelling at 1724 North 10th Street, citing unresolved concerns about roof forms, massing and compatibility with adjacent cottages.
Staff recommended denial, saying the primary residence and ADU's full two-story massing (roughly 25''2 ft peak and ADU maximum near 22 ft) would overwhelm neighboring one-story homes. In the staff presentation Richard emphasized that "new buildings should not overwhelm neighboring structures" and advised that breaking the larger mass into smaller components or stepping taller parts away from the street could make the design approvable.
Applicant counsel Elizabeth Kekeritz argued the project was compatible with the broader historic environment and that the adjacent one-story house is non-contributing; she presented revised options (eyebrow dormers, lower pitches) and said the team had already reduced height where feasible. Owner Adakus Fall said the property was purchased to serve family needs and that earlier designs had been scaled down in response to staff comments; he stressed some changes would be a major redesign and could affect project feasibility.
Neighborhood representatives urged caution: the North End NA argued the block contains modest, well-preserved cottages and that the proposed tall gable would "dwarf" the small house next door. Commissioners voiced a mix of concerns about roof complexity, window patterning, and whether the commission should treat a non-contributing adjacent house as the controlling benchmark.
After deliberation the commission voted 6-1 to defer the application to the April 27 meeting so the applicant can work further with staff on massing, roof form and ADU configuration. The motion to defer was made by Commissioner Moody and seconded by Commissioner Owens; Commissioner Moore voted against the deferral.
