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Historic preservation commission approves metal doors at 301 Columbia; applicant aims to open restaurant Aug. 1
Summary
The Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness permitting metal doors on the west façade and two basement doors at 301 Columbia (Stallard and Shoe Building). The COA committee recommended approval; commissioners discussed hardware and finish details and staff said installation can proceed after COA issuance.
The Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness allowing metal doors on the west façade and two north-facing basement doors at 301 Columbia, known as the Stallard and Shoe Building.
Staff described the application as largely identical to a 2022 COA for the same building under a previous owner, with the primary change being the proposed metal doors. "They're asking for those to be metal doors," the staff member presenting the application said, noting that the new owner signed an amendment accepting responsibility for previously approved exterior work and that the COA committee recommended approval.
Commission discussion centered on material, finish and hardware. Dan, a committee member, said the lower-level doors are not original and urged hardware with "a little bit of character" in brass or antique bronze rather than clear anodized aluminum. "Something like that would be more appropriate than a clear anodized aluminum," Dan said. Another commissioner supported metal for durability, saying the material would "last for a long time" given increased traffic from the restaurant use.
One commissioner warned against allowing past poor-quality replacements to become the standard, citing an example on a nearby building. Staff and the chair said handle and finish details could be resolved administratively with the planning office.
The chair moved to approve the COA and the motion carried. Staff advised the applicant to coordinate final hardware choices with the office; once the COA is issued and administrative steps are complete, work may proceed.
The applicant told commissioners the restaurant, previously slated to open last December, is aiming for an Aug. 1 opening. The commission’s approval covers the material and general appearance; site-specific hardware and final finish will be handled through staff-level review after the meeting.
The commission also approved the meeting minutes and handled routine procedural business before adjourning.
