Commission approves new 2‑story commercial building at 36 Bruin Road with conditions

The Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 6 approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a proposed two-story, roughly 3,130-square-foot commercial building at 36 Bruin Road, subject to conditions on materials, window details and screening for mechanical equipment.

Planning staff told the commission the proposal generally met the UDO's four review criteria but highlighted several items that required determinations or conditions, including whether fixed storefront windows and a brick water table were appropriate and how HVAC units would be screened. "This is the proposed elevations for the building... you will need to make a determination if [fixed windows] are appropriate," staff said, and requested samples and manufacturer cut sheets for materials.

Applicant James Atkins of Court Atkins Group said the team could accommodate most comments. "We can make a majority of those adjustments," Atkins said, adding the firm would provide window, lighting and shutter details. Commissioners probed material choices (including a tumbled brick specification) and landscaping and emphasized that foundation plantings and screening should meet UDO requirements to avoid obscuring sidewalks.

After discussing sash-set versus direct-set windows and the composition of proposed Bahama-style shutter material, the commission voted to approve the staff determinations and then approved the COFA application with the stated conditions while leaving in place one clarification about the labeled window treatment. The approval requires the applicant to submit specified samples and additional details to staff and HPRC as directed.

The action lets the developer proceed to building-permit review, but several details — including exact window types, screening of HVAC equipment and final landscaping placement — must be submitted and approved before final sign-off.