Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission approves multiple COAs with conditions, tables two applications for more work

The Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission on Monday approved a slate of Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) across the county's historic districts while tabling two applications for further work and documentation.

In votes taken through the evening the panel approved work at 330 Barber Street, 127 Nantala Avenue, 480 South Mill Avenue, 283 East Broad Street, 673 Cobb Street and 224 West Hancock Avenue, largely adopting staff recommendations with conditions. The commission tabled applications for 175 Wilcox Street and 495 West Rutherford Street to allow applicants to respond to concerns about scale, documentation and structural condition.

Why it matters: The votes shape how properties in Clarke County's Boulevard, Mill Avenue, Rutherford and other historic districts will change, balancing owners' plans to modernize or rebuild with the commission's mandate to preserve historic character.

Most approvals carried with conditions to give staff the ability to resolve minor design details. For example, commissioners approved the demolition and new-construction plan at 330 Barber Street (COA-2026-05095) on the condition that the applicant submit Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)-level documentation and allow staff to sign off on modest window adjustments and solid-to-void ratio changes. Applicant Andrew Malik asked for that flexibility so he could avoid repeated return visits to the commission; Malik told the commission he would accept staff-level tweaks within guidelines.

The commission also approved a widened rear addition and door changes at 127 Nantala Avenue (COA-2026-050976) with conditions requiring details on the door, clarification about steps, and a condition allowing three window replacements only if the applicant proves they postdate the district's period of significance.

At 224 West Hancock Avenue (COA-2026-05-0974), the commission approved replacement of storefront windows and doors but restricted painting of previously unpainted masonry: painted surfaces may be repainted, but unpainted historic masonry should remain unpainted. Commissioners cited both the historic guidelines and practical concerns that paint can trap moisture and worsen deterioration.

Votes at a glance: - 175 Wilcox Street (COA-2026-2-314): TABLED (motion to table by Allan, seconded by Chris; applicant agreed; unanimous). Reason: unresolved concerns about addition massing, window scale and garage roof form; applicant to return with revisions or additional materials. - 330 Barber Street (COA-2026-05095): APPROVED with conditions (HABS-level documentation; staff authority for small window tweaks and solid-to-void/rhythm adjustments). Vote recorded 4'1, with one commissioner opposed to final motion. - 127 Nantala Avenue (COA-2026-050976): APPROVED with conditions (door/window detail, staff review of steps and condition allowing window replacement if shown to be non-contributing). Unanimous. - 480 South Mill Avenue (COA-2026-5-0977): APPROVED as presented (staff recommended); unanimous. - 283 East Broad Street (COA-2026-05-0857): APPROVED with staff conditions (no visible tint/reflectivity; consider arch-top sash integration). Unanimous; applicant absent. - 495 West Rutherford Street (COA-2026-05-965): TABLED (motion by Chris, second by Allan) to allow submission of additional photographs, structural documentation and a site plan; return requested within six months. - 673 Cobb Street (COA-2026-05-968): APPROVED with staff recommendations for materials and scale; a single commissioner opposed in the recorded vote. - 224 West Hancock Avenue (COA-2026-05-0974): APPROVED with conditions (aluminum storefront profiles to match as closely as possible; painted features may be repainted but unpainted masonry must remain unpainted; glazing should not be reflective). Motion carried unanimously.

Selected quotes from the meeting: "Staff finds that the rendering still remain untrue to the existing structure," planning staff said during the Willcox Street presentation, summarizing the recommendation for denial. Tom Carney, the property owner, said he was "shocked" by that recommendation and argued that the team had addressed prior comments on windows and siding. Tom Dimitro, the advocate on the Rutherford parcel, described the accessory building's slab and framing as deteriorated and said repairs would be costly.

What's next: Applicants for the tabled items (175 Wilcox and 495 West Rutherford) will return with revised drawings or additional documentation; staff will continue to work with applicants on minor window and storefront details allowed under the conditions. The commission also completed officer elections and committee updates and adjourned.

Sources: Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission staff reports and the public meeting record.