Committee recommends approval of 855 West Main Street project, requires material samples and a single-bay carport

A local committee voted to recommend approval of work proposed at 855 West Main Street, asking the applicant to supply material samples and photos that demonstrate a close match with the house’s historic brick, mortar, window and shingle colors.

The committee’s review centered on preserving the property’s historic fabric while allowing an attached living unit above a new garage and the addition of a single‑bay carport on the south side that would extend the addition by 12 feet. The applicant, who identified themself for the record as Cunningham, said the living unit would be occupied by family members rather than rented.

Committee members pressed for physical or photographic samples after staff member Lisa confirmed none had been filed with the application. “On the front page of the application, you say color samples match existing structure. Lisa, were any submitted?” a committee member asked; Lisa replied, “No.” Members recommended holding a sample up to existing brick and photographing it to show a reasonable match.

A recurring concern was mortar color: members said previous repointing had used a light gray mortar that contrasts with the original darker mortar and asked the applicant to match the darker historic mortar where possible. “Our objective would be to match the historic body brick color and the variation in the brick colors,” one member said.

The committee also discussed details of the garage windows and ramp. Members advised that the garage windows use a grid appearance similar to the house’s existing upper‑sash grids rather than full three‑dimensional exterior muntins. On accessibility, the committee noted standard ramp slope rules (one‑in‑12) and confirmed that longer ramps require handrails on both sides; they recommended a round, graspable handrail and suggested a painted wood finish as appropriate to the building’s historic character.

A motion to recommend approval of the project as described — conditioned on the applicant providing brick/mortar/window/shingle samples or photos and including the single‑bay carport — was moved and seconded (second by Sue). During the roll-call-style call for favor, one member voiced opposition; the committee recorded a recommendation that the plan commission consider for final approval. The transcript does not include a full roll‑call tally.

The committee advised Cunningham to provide samples or photographs to Lisa so they can be included in the packet sent to the plan commission. The committee’s recommendation, with those conditions, will be forwarded to the plan commission for final action.

The committee adjourned after completing the item.