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Corydon panel approves home restoration at 624 Park Ave; owners to use smooth-finish James Hardy board with porch woodwork
Summary
Homeowners at 624 Park Avenue received approval Sept. 2 to remove aluminum siding, address lead paint and restore decorative trim; the commission approved the use of smooth-finish James Hardy board for most siding and required wood for porch elements and square posts per staff guidance.
The Corydon Historic Preservation Commission approved exterior work at 624 Park Avenue on Sept. 2, allowing homeowners to remove aluminum siding, address lead-based paint and use James Hardy (fiber-cement) board for siding if it has a smooth finish and porch details are executed in wood.
Melanie, one of the homeowners, said she and her mother bought the house last year and aim to restore decorative corbels and other historic trim. She told the commission that contractors found lead-based paint beneath the aluminum siding and that abatement options are limited: encapsulation (a wet-spray approach) could leave visible paint remnants and an uneven appearance, while full removal down to studs would require insulation, reframing and substantial additional cost.
Because cedar clapboard proved prohibitively expensive, Melanie asked to use James Hardy (fiber-cement) board. "We just can't afford the expense of putting cedar back on," she said, explaining the decision was driven by cost. Staff comments relayed by the meeting noted a preference for a smooth-finish Hardy board (without an inlaid wood grain) to better approximate the historic appearance once painted.
Staff (Laura) also recommended that new front-porch elements — including posts — be crafted in wood and that square posts be used to match photographic evidence. Laura's guidance, conveyed at the meeting, suggested that a railing is unnecessary unless required by code; commissioners discussed building-code and insurance considerations for handrails and agreed that a low-profile railing would be acceptable if the owners preferred one for safety.
A motion to approve the application subject to staff conditions (wood porch elements, square posts, smooth-finish Hardy board and other staff recommendations) was made and passed by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not recorded in the transcript. The homeowners were advised to coordinate abatement work and final material selections with staff before proceeding.
