Board approves historic balustrade at 722 North Broadway, defers decision on egress window

The Design Review Board on March 25 voted to approve reconstruction of a historic balustrade at 722 North Broadway and deferred a decision on an egress-window request, asking the applicant to return with detailed window options.

The applicant presented archival photographs supporting recreation of the porch balustrade. The same application included a request to install an operable stained-glass egress window in a 3rd-floor tower to meet building-code egress requirements. The board and a Preservation Foundation letter raised concerns about creating a new opening in a historic façade and about materials and detailing.

The chair summarized the board's position: reconstruction of the balustrade was appropriate and could be approved that evening, while the stained-glass egress solution would require more technical details and review. One board member noted the difficulty of finding a vendor able to make an operable round stained-glass window and emphasized that any new opening must "read" like the windows below: similar proportions, wood construction and matching trim.

The board approved only the balustrade reconstruction and required the applicant to return with engineered design options for the egress window (including restoration specialists' proposals and details showing how the window would mimic existing fenestration). The motion was made and seconded; the board voted in favor of approving reconstruction of the balustrade only.

Next steps: the applicant will consult window-restoration specialists and return with detailed options so the board can evaluate whether an operable egress window can be executed without harming the building's historic character.