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Board approves taller porch railing at 411 North Loudoun Street to meet code
Summary
The Board of Architectural Review approved BAR25-267, allowing replacement railings at 411 N. Loudoun Street raised 6 inches to meet the 36-inch code requirement after the applicant said water pooling had caused structural deterioration of porch columns and floor.
The Board of Architectural Review voted to approve BAR25-267 on July 17, allowing replacement porch railings at 411 North Loudoun Street that will be 6 inches taller than the existing rail to meet current building code. Chairman Chancellor presided over the unanimous voice vote.
The applicant explained that water had begun pooling at the bases of porch columns and the columns were sinking into the floor, damaging the porch structure. "The office of the city that is seeking where we're seeking a building permit to do this, wants us to raise the railings by 6 inches," said the applicant (president of the condominium association), adding that the work requires lifting the roof slightly to remove columns and banisters to repair the floor.
The applicant said the replacement railing would match the existing profile exactly but be 6 inches taller to meet the 36-inch code requirement; "It's only 30 inches off the floor. It's supposed to be 36 inches off the floor," the applicant said. Board members asked for confirmation that the profile and materials would remain the same; the applicant confirmed they would.
Caroline moved to approve BAR25-267, specifying the use of the same materials and profile; the motion carried on a voice vote with no opposition.
The approval allows the owner to proceed with the planned structural repairs and install railings that comply with the city's current code; exact permit issuance and inspection remain part of the city's building department process.
