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Commission sends North Alamo stairway case to site DRC after fire/egress and site-constraint discussion
Summary
For case 202028901 at North Alamo Street, the commission voted to send the applicant to a site Design Review Committee visit to evaluate egress, fencing, grease traps and the configuration of existing historic porches after the applicant cited fire-department constraints and site conflicts.
The commission directed case 202028901 (North Alamo Street) to a site Design Review Committee visit instead of granting immediate certificate-of-appropriateness approval on Dec. 3, 2025.
Staff recommended moving a proposed two-story exterior stairway to a north-side elevation to minimize impact on the primary facade. The virtual applicant explained that earlier administrative approvals and fire-review conversations created egress constraints: the stair needs a 10-foot separation from an hour-rated wall and moving it would conflict with existing pickleball courts and a grease trap. The applicant said that rebuilding or relocating the stair would reduce recreational space and create design and safety trade-offs.
In discussion, commissioners asked for clearer visualization of the site conditions, fences and existing restored porches. Vice Chair Fetzner proposed and the applicant agreed to a site DRC so commissioners and staff could observe the existing constraints and better evaluate possible stair relocations. The motion to refer the case to a site DRC was seconded and approved by roll call.
The referral is procedural: staff and the applicant will schedule a site visit, document existing egress constraints and explore relocation options before the commission considers final approval.
