Purcellville BAR approves East Main Veterinary Clinic renovation, requires wood windows

The Purcellville Board of Architectural Review voted to approve a certificate of design approval for exterior renovations at the East Main Veterinary Clinic, requiring that window replacements "meet the guidelines specifically to replacement in kind of true lite wood windows," the board's chair said during the motion.

Planning staff described the application (BAR25-10760) as a rehabilitation of a single-story commercial building at the southwest corner of East Main Street and South 9th Avenue, on two parcels in the Love Subdivision owned by Dominion Water Properties. Staff said the project would replace siding with hardy plank in a cobblestone color, install a new black/bronze standing-seam roof, remove a central brick chimney, and replace windows with a 2-over-2 grid to match existing patterns. The staff presenter noted windows were the primary compliance issue with the design guidelines.

"This is BAR25Dash10760 East Main Veterinary Clinic. It's a request for... the rehab of a single story commercial building," the staff member said while summarizing the packet materials and the proposed exterior changes. The presenter also noted the property lies within the East Main Overlay District and the town's historic overlay.

Applicant Susan Conway told the board she needs interior wall space for clinic functions and proposed covering some windows with traditional louvered shutters to avoid visible blocked glass. "I need wall space ... I don't want it to look like just blocked windows," Conway said, explaining the shutters were meant to present as closed rather than visibly filled-in openings. Board members questioned shutters as an option, raising concerns that fixed louvered shutters could collect debris and break the visual rhythm of the facade.

Multiple board members and the staff presenter recommended alternative approaches to preserve the street-facing rhythm, including placing a painted panel or false window behind the sash so the elevation reads as a window from the street even if the interior is solid. One board member summarized the architectural preference: from the street, "you're still seeing that window even though it's not functioning."

The board also addressed site and functional details: members asked that the two new HVAC units on the South 9th Street side be screened (the board recommended a small fenced or hardiplank enclosure), and staff confirmed the applicant submitted a separate full site plan that will be reviewed concurrently to address handicap access and circulation. The staff presenter said the rear of the building will be made handicap accessible and that the site plan is under review.

Chair Jim Goughner moved to approve the BAR application as proposed, with the condition that window replacements be wood and meet the board's replacement-in-kind guideline. The motion included a recommendation that the two mechanical units be screened. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

After the vote Conway asked for clarification about the window requirement; staff and the chair confirmed that double-insulated wood windows consistent with the guidelines would be acceptable and said staff would provide the applicant a map showing the historic-overlay boundary.

The board completed other routine business (minutes approval) and adjourned. Staff will continue working with the applicant on the concurrent site-plan review and details of mechanical screening and window specifications.