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Donut Distillery granted conditional approval for rooftop bistro lights
Summary
The Oxford City Historic Preservation Commission approved a retroactive certificate of appropriateness for rooftop poles and Edison‑style string lighting at 1107 East Jackson Avenue, conditioned on corrective work to straighten and reduce the profile of the poles and a requirement that the approval terminates when the business vacates the premises.
At a meeting of the Oxford City Historic Preservation Commission, commissioners approved a retroactive certificate of appropriateness (COA) for rooftop poles and Edison‑style string lighting at 1107 East Jackson Avenue, the building that houses Donut Distillery.
Staff told the commission the poles support a cable carrying Edison‑bulb lighting around the rooftop bar and recommended approval because the installation is removable and not highly visible from the street. "Staff finds that this installation, and this instance, is acceptable," the staff member said, noting the lighting improves visibility for a space that draws many patrons.
Commissioners raised concerns about the appearance and the angle of two poles visible in the materials. Chair and other commissioners described the installation as "sloppy" and noted one pole appeared to lean. Commissioners asked whether the poles could be reduced in height or relocated to provide adequate lighting while improving street appearance.
Shauna, the applicant representing Donut Distillery, said the rooftop area gets very dark and the string lighting was installed for safety after prior rope lighting did not provide enough illumination. She acknowledged the leaning pole and said she would have crews straighten and secure the mounting. "I can fix that for sure," Shauna said.
A commission member moved to approve the retroactive COA with two conditions: that the poles be altered to a thinner or less conspicuous profile and that the COA terminate when the business leaves the premises (by lease termination or sale), at which point the poles must be removed. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The motion did not record a roll‑call tally in the meeting record.
The commission's approval includes the condition that the applicant make the agreed corrective work within a short timeframe; Shauna said she would have the adjustments made this week and would remove the poles when the business vacates the site.
Next steps: the COA stands with the stated conditions; staff will follow up to ensure the corrective work is completed and to document compliance.
