Lewisville panel designates 1013 Lafarge historic, approves alteration certificate and $128,300 preservation grant

The Lewisville Historic Preservation Commission on July 20 voted unanimously to recommend local landmark designation for 1013 Lafarge Avenue, approve an alteration certificate with specific restoration conditions and authorize a preservation grant of up to $128,300 to support eligible restoration work.

Rob Zuccaro, the city’s Community Development Director filling in for the senior planner, told commissioners staff recommended three actions: a recommendation to city council for local landmark designation (Resolution 9), approval of an alteration certificate for the proposed restoration and addition (Resolution 10), and recommendation of a preservation grant up to $128,300 including an extraordinary-circumstances component (Resolution 11).

Josh Johnston, the applicant’s architect with DHA Design, presented the historic-structure assessment and drawings that show the house’s original form and key features dating to about 1906–1908. He outlined work the applicants propose: repair or replacement of the stone foundation, restoration of original porch columns and trim, replacement of nonhistoric steel siding with shiplap where original siding remains, an electrical upgrade, and a single-story rear addition. Johnston said a full foundation replacement will require temporarily moving the house on the lot, excavating and pouring a new foundation, then moving the house back; he identified that house-moving item at roughly $35,000 in the project budget.

Commissioners spent significant time debating proposed changes to window openings and whether approving altered window sizes on visible facades would set a precedent. Several commissioners said the east-facing, street-front window and the easternmost north living-room window are visible and should be restored to their 1948 size and placement; other north-side windows farther back on the house could be more flexible because they are less visible from the street. Johnston said the proposed window adjustments were driven by functional considerations for modern living and interior furnishing, while also offering to restore window locations where evidence supports it.

After discussion, the commission approved the alteration certificate with conditions requiring that (1) the east-facing front window beneath the porch and (2) the easternmost north living-room window be constructed to the size and location shown on the 1948 assessor photograph, and asking (as a condition) that the chimney be reconstructed to match historic appearance as closely as feasible. Staff told the commission those conditions would be enforced through the alteration certificate; the grant award would not be reduced by the condition but compliance is required if the applicant proceeds.

The commission’s motions passed on roll call with unanimous support. The commission recorded its approval of the landmark recommendation, the alteration certificate with the stated conditions, and the grant recommendation of up to $128,300 for eligible work described in the staff report.

What the grant covers and project finances Johnston presented categorical budget line items for historic versus nonhistoric work. He said the historic portion of the project totals about $377,000; the applicant sought historic-grant funding that, when combined across tier 1 and extraordinary-circumstance requests, amounted to roughly $105,300 in detailed items, though staff’s motion recommended the program’s maximum eligible grant of up to $128,300 in total per the resolution. The full project includes significant nonhistoric new-construction elements the applicants plan to fund primarily from private sources.

Next steps Because the commission recommended landmark designation, the matter will move to city council for final designation. The alteration certificate’s conditions will be included in the certificate that the applicant must meet as the project proceeds; the grant award is structured to support the eligible historic restoration items outlined in the staff report and attachments. The applicant and staff indicated they will return with any required follow-up materials and demonstrate compliance with the alteration-certificate conditions before construction begins.