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Commission asks for revised drawings for West Michigan Street new-construction proposal, cites massing and venting concerns
Summary
Commissioners requested revised drawings and more detail for a proposed new house on West Michigan Street, saying the design’s massing, railing details and attic venting (ridge vent vs. spray foam) need clarification before approval.
The Springfield Commission on May 7 declined to approve a new-construction proposal on West Michigan Street and directed the applicant to return with revised drawings that address massing, railing details, materials and attic venting.
Commissioners said the proposed house’s front façade reads as a large, solid mass compared with neighboring houses and urged the design team to break the main wall plane, provide clearer railing/baluster details and reconcile railing height with window sills. "My gut architecturally is that face is too solid — if a third of it was set back it would help," a commissioner said during the review.
The design team and architect described materials and options: vinyl/HardiePlank siding versus cedar shakes, exterior trim choices, and the use of spray-foam insulation. Commissioners pressed whether the attic is to be vented (ridge vent/soffit) or made a conditioned space using spray foam; staff noted permitting code requires clarity on venting to judge roof details. The commission asked for a revised packet with: railing baluster details, front elevation showing window sightlines, proposed lamp heights, lattice framing detail, and confirmation of materials (HardiePlank or cedar) before the item returns.
No vote of approval was taken; the commission continued the item to the next meeting and advised the applicant to submit detailed drawings to facilitate a formal action.
