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HPC approves COA for Dirty Dog car/dog wash at 24 W. Mercury St.; chairman recuses, vote 4–1
Summary
After public comment and debate over materials and design compatibility, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the certificate of appropriateness for the Dirty Dog car/dog wash at 24 W. Mercury St.; Chairman Steve Hinick recused and the motion passed 4–1.
The Butte-Silver Bow Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for a proposed car/dog wash at 24 W. Mercury Street at its May 5 meeting. Chairman Steve Hinick recused himself from the vote; the motion carried with four yes votes and one no.
The HPO re-introduced the project and explained the COA had been denied at a December 2025 meeting; the revised plan reflected budget constraints that would replace the originally proposed brick veneer with corrugated metal cladding. HPO staff noted corrugated metal exists historically in Uptown Butte but typically in mineyard contexts rather than the Commercial Business District. The applicants, owners Selina Pankovich and Johnny Liston, told the commission the lot is zoned commercial and that an architect with an understanding of historic standards was engaged. "We had put in $80,000 of our own money in just the design of the project," Liston said.
Commissioners discussed compatibility details, including the appearance and finish of the roof, the design of doors (carwash doors proposed as glass roll-up coiled doors; dog-wash doors as divided-light metal), and whether a smoky brown-tinted glass could be used. HPO said it had contacted the State Historic Preservation Office director, Pete Brown, who "did not have a problem with the design." Commissioner Russell O’Leary moved to approve the COA as presented; Member Jennifer Petersen seconded. Chairman Hinick recused himself from the vote; the motion carried with four yes and one no.
Public comment earlier in the meeting included Mitzi Rossillon, who read passages from the BSB Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and urged commissioners to reject the original design.
Why it matters: the vote allows construction to proceed with the approved design and materials; commissioners emphasized material finish and door design as compatibility issues.
What’s next: owners said they will take committee feedback into permitting and final construction details.
