Hood River Landmarks Board approves exterior changes for Lightwell Hotel, including rooftop barbecue enclosure

The Hood River City Landmarks Board voted to approve exterior modifications at the Lightwell Hotel, allowing a steel shroud around an on‑site rooftop barbecue, a second awning on the east façade, a small trash enclosure in the south alley and exhaust/duct work described in the staff report.

City staff presented the landmark review request and recommended conditional approval. Staff told the board the package covers the shroud, a ground‑level window, an awning, a trash enclosure and exhaust duct improvements, and that blade‑sign and painted wall sign changes were excluded from the current review because they were part of the original site‑plan/variance/landmarks approvals. “As noted within the staff report, the proposed blade sign modifications and the painted wall sign are excluded from the review,” staff said.

Applicant Gabe Ganauer, identified as a general contractor and one of the Lightwell owners, said a rooftop barbecue had been part of the approved plan and that final building inspection prompted the county to require a noncombustible enclosure and fire suppression. “We need a noncombustible resided enclosure around this barbecue. We need some sort of fire suppression system,” Ganauer said, describing the three‑panel metal mock‑up currently installed and saying the mock‑up was minimally visible from the street.

Ganauer also said the project team proposes one additional east‑facing awning to match historic photos showing multiple awnings on that façade. He told the board the awning would make the lobby more comfortable, support a valet area and generally match historic design. On screening the steel shroud, Ganauer said the team would likely add a smooth painted hardy panel matching the trellis color to conceal exposed metal backsides rather than introducing additional woodwork that might interrupt the historic appearance.

Board members asked whether the physical changes had been built before review; staff confirmed the installations are field changes completed on‑site and that this hearing seeks retroactive approval. Members discussed whether approval should allow multiple awnings or only the one proposed; Ganauer said there is no current plan or budget to add additional awnings beyond the single, new east‑facing awning.

In deliberations members emphasized limiting signage on any new awning. Staff pointed to an existing condition in the recommended findings requiring permits for future signs. One board member said the record could include an explicit condition that any signage on the new awning must obtain a permit or return to Landmarks for review; staff noted Condition 1 already requires future signs to secure a permit.

A committee member moved to approve file number 26‑2026‑17 to allow the exterior modifications at 201 Cascade Avenue as described in the staff report, including the findings and recommended conditions and the additional recommended condition; the motion was seconded and the board voted to approve the application. The Chair announced the motion passed. The recorded roll calls in the transcript show affirmative responses from multiple board members; the transcript does not list a full named roll call of every seated member.

The board’s decision will be final when reduced to writing, and parties were reminded that appeal rights require participation in the record either orally or in writing. Staff also used the session to check upcoming July meeting availability and briefly noted other pending rooftop and shade‑structure modification requests in the area.

Notes on transcript inconsistencies: the applicant and staff consistently referred to the property as the Lightwell Hotel; a later motion in the transcript references "Wicombe Hotel" — the record contains both names. The board packet and staff report referenced during the hearing were cited as the source of detailed conditions (pages 13–14).