Roanoke City ARB approves porch reconstruction at 414 Mountain Ave with standing‑seam amendment

The Roanoke City Architectural Review Board voted to approve a revised Certificate of Appropriateness for a porch reconstruction at 414 Mountain Avenue after the applicant accepted staff‑requested amendments.

Applicant Dave Anderson said the original full‑width front porch had been removed prior to the district's formation; staff recommended approval with five amendments to clarify materials and dimensions. The agreed‑upon conditions included 6x6 posts, 2x10 band boards, a 9‑foot porch ceiling finished with beadboard, and standing‑seam roofing to match the main roof in pattern and color.

During questioning, board members raised constructive concerns about the porch footprint and roof drainage where the added porch roof meets an existing bay window; staff and the contractor agreed to revise drawings so the porch roof comes flush with the bay corner and to emphasize correct flashing to prevent water intrusion.

An amendment was read into the record specifying a shed roof with a 2:12 pitch in standing‑seam metal to match the main roof and K‑style gutters with round downspouts. The board recorded affirmative votes and approved the application with the amendments; staff will follow up with the applicant on drawing revisions and construction details.

Recorded conditions require painted, smooth‑finish wood elements, matching metal roof patterning and stated trim details. The ARB noted this project restores a historic form that had been removed and linked the work to neighborhood character and documented porch types in district records.