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Applicant told to use in‑kind doors or resubmit after Van Buren house safety concerns
Summary
An applicant seeking temporary craftsman‑style doors for a Van Buren house was told the commission cannot reliably approve time‑limited COAs; commissioners suggested an in‑kind replacement or withdrawing and returning with architect plans to ensure compatibility and safety.
At its meeting, the Oxford City Preservation Commission discussed a request to replace rotting French doors on a historic Van Buren house with two craftsman‑style doors and advised the applicant to pursue an in‑kind replacement rather than a time‑limited approval.
Tyson Bridge, the applicant, told the commission the existing doors were "falling apart" and said he needed a short‑term fix "for 3 or 4 months" while he completes renovations. "I'm just trying to make this safe to live in the house," Tyson Bridge said.
Commissioners and staff explained that replacements that match the original door style and materials would typically be treated as an in‑kind repair and not require returning to the commission, whereas temporary approvals often become permanent. "In fairness, Tyson, I mean, you're asking the commission to approve a COA for something that you say is temporary," a committee member said, noting there are no guarantees a temporary approval would not remain in place.
The applicant agreed to either install exact like‑for‑like doors or withdraw the current request and return with architect plans; staff offered to help identify appropriate replacement options and possible reuse or donation routes. No formal time‑limited COA was granted at the meeting.
