Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Design Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HPC approves COA for Dirty Dog & Car Wash at 24 W. Mercury Street over objections
Summary
After public comment urging rejection, the Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a proposed car/dog wash at 24 W. Mercury Street; the chair recused and the motion passed with four yes and one no.
The Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness May 5 for a proposed Dirty Dog & Car Wash at 24 W. Mercury Street after discussion of materials, doors and compatibility with the surrounding district.
Mitzi Rossillon spoke during the public-comment portion and read sections of the Butte-Silver Bow Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, arguing the project is incompatible with the National Historic Landmark District. Rossillon told the commission that "the only choice was for the HPC to vote no on the original design being brought forward once again."
HPO staff reintroduced the project, noting that a reduced-budget design had substituted corrugated metal for the originally proposed brick veneer. The owners, Selina Pankovich and Johnny Liston, confirmed the lot is zoned commercial and said they hired an architect with historic-standards experience; Liston told the commission the applicants had spent about $80,000 on design work. The owners and staff discussed specifics: coiled glass roll-up doors on the car-wash bays, divided-light metal doors for the dog wash, and a matte dark roof color. The HPO said the state SHPO director (Pete Brown) had expressed no objection to the design as presented.
Commissioner Russell O'Leary moved to approve the COA as presented; Jennifer Petersen seconded. Chairman Steve Hinick recused himself from the vote. The motion carried with four yes votes and one no vote; the transcript does not record an itemized roll call of each commissioner’s vote.
Why it matters: the decision permits a new commercial use in the Uptown commercial district and raises questions about material compatibility and precedent for corrugated metal in the Commercial Business District.
Next steps: Applicants may proceed with permitting consistent with the approved COA and applicable building and zoning rules; HPO staff will continue to advise on historic‑design elements.
