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HRC approves metal railing at 254 Clinton Avenue, allows demountable hardwood cap with conditions
Summary
The commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a revised stoop railing at 254 Clinton Avenue, requiring metal newel posts and a noninvasive mounting that permits a high‑quality hardwood cap (to be painted black) if the applicant demonstrates a demountable installation in revised drawings.
The Historic Resources Commission approved a modified certificate of appropriateness for a stoop railing at 254 Clinton Avenue in the North Pearl / Clinton Square Historic District, conditional on revised drawings and staff review.
Applicant Colin McCoy, who owns the property, told the commission he plans to build a steel structural rail capped with a wooden handrail that he would craft himself to keep costs down. "The structure would be steel, but a piece of wood on top of the handrail," McCoy said, explaining the wooden cap is intended to be durable and affordable. He said he would paint the cap black and use quality hardwood such as mahogany or white oak.
Planning staff reviewed the application against the HRO and National Register material for the district and noted historic documentation showing iron stoop railings were typical. Staff told the commission that the code expects either an in‑kind replacement substantiated by evidence, a modern nondecorative rail, or a salvaged historic rail — and that approving a decorative, nonhistoric cap could set a precedent.
Commissioners debated whether the applicant’s proposal should be considered decorative and whether a reversible demountable hardwood cap would address staff enforcement concerns. Several commissioners said they were wary of approving pressure‑treated wood or ad hoc wood capping in the long term, and staff warned that anything allowed in the certificate must be explicit so the building permit matches the COA.
The commission’s approval requires: revised drawings showing substantial metal newel posts constructed entirely of metal; a noninvasive, demountable mounting for an approved hardwood cap; a detailed profile and material specification for the cap (to be of a high‑quality hardwood and painted black); and staff review of the revised drawings before final sign‑off. The motion passed following a second and a voice vote.
Next steps: the applicant agreed to submit revised drawings and material specifications. Staff will review the revisions and, if consistent with the COA conditions, will process the permit to allow metal posts with an explicitly approved removable hardwood cap.
