Oxford Historic Preservation Commission denies vinyl-window COA, rejects Cannon Avenue plan; approves Fillmore demolition and replacement

The Oxford Historic Preservation Commission on May 1 handled three Certificate of Appropriateness requests, approving demolition and a replacement accessory building at 816/822 Fillmore Avenue, and denying two COAs: one for vinyl window replacements at 508 North Lamar Boulevard and one for new-construction at 1401 Cannon Avenue.

Staff member Kate told the commission the house at 508 North Lamar is a circa-1970 infill in the North Lamar Historic District and that the design guidelines recommend against vinyl as a replacement material. "The design guidelines recommend against vinyl as a material within the historic district," Kate said, and noted approved replacement materials are "wood, aluminum clad, or fiberglass replacement windows." She said staff was recommending denial because the applicant proposed vinyl windows.

Matthew Holland of Windows USA, who joined by phone, described the homeowner's safety issues and the proposed product. "They can't open or close their windows," Holland said, and described a 1-over-1 clear-view sash with vinyl capping over existing exterior trim intended to match the street appearance. He offered to omit screens on the front windows to preserve the look. Commissioners pressed on the windows' profile and glass setback; Holland said the proposed sash would reduce visible glass by about one-eighth of an inch and that the exterior trim would be capped to appear like wood.

No motion to approve the vinyl-window COA was made; the commission moved to deny the request and recorded the denial. The commission then turned to 1401 Cannon Avenue, a previously tabled new-house proposal. Kate said plans and exhibits submitted since the March hearing had not materially changed and staff continued to recommend approval with a condition delegating retaining-wall and paving details to staff. Designer Will explained he had lowered the ridge about 16 inches and described high-quality windows, shutters and roofing materials. Several commissioners said they were disappointed that revised drawings had not been provided for review and repeated concerns about the prominence of the center roof peak and decorative chimney elements. The commission moved and voted to deny the COA for 1401 Cannon Avenue.

The commission took a two-part vote on case 8-73 at 816/822 Fillmore Avenue. Staff recommended demolition of an existing outbuilding only if the commission found it appropriate under the code and guidelines, and recommended approval of the replacement accessory structure subject to guideline compatibility. Architect Jonathan Maddox said the new structure would be pulled seven feet off the property line to address steep topography and that the previous outbuilding had been in poor condition. The commission approved demolition of the outbuilding and then approved the proposed new two-bay garage with an accessory studio/dwelling and the screen porch on the studio.

Votes at a glance: - Case 8-69 (508 N. Lamar, Justin Cash): COA for vinyl replacement windows — denied (motion to deny made and carried). - Case 8-57 (1401 Cannon Ave., John Lamerson): COA for new construction — denied (commission cited height/massing and lack of revised plans). - Case 8-73 (816/822 Fillmore Ave., Jason Bolden): demolition of outbuilding and COA for replacement accessory building/studio — approved (demolition approved; replacement COA approved).

What this means: The commission applied its design-guideline preference for wood, aluminum-clad or fiberglass window replacements and rejected a vinyl proposal that staff said would not meet recommended materials. For the Cannon Avenue lot, commissioners said unresolved height and chimney details and the absence of a revised plan prevented approval. The Fillmore project was approved after the applicant addressed siting and compatibility issues.

Next steps: Denied applicants may revise and return with materials the commission finds consistent with the design guidelines; approved Fillmore work will proceed through any necessary building permits and the planning commission processes cited by staff.