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Architect presents design for 805 University Avenue; commission praises detail but asks for setback and context clarifications
Summary
At a complimentary review for a proposed house at 805 University Avenue, architect Julie Spears presented a two-story design; commissioners generally praised the proposal but asked the team to confirm placement relative to the Old Doty House, clarify driveway/porte-cochere siting and provide any missing lot-coverage details before an official COA application.
The Oxford Historic Preservation Commission conducted a complimentary review of a proposed single-family house at 805 University Avenue (applicant represented by Bill Abington) and provided design feedback to the applicant team.
Julie Spears, the project's architect, said the design is for a family of seven and uses massing strategies—such as lower fronts and a recessed porch—to reduce perceived height from the street. She described materials including artisan hardy siding, asphalt shingles and brick foundation and said parking would be provided with an underground garage and a porte-cochere set back from the front.
Commissioners asked about how close the new house would sit relative to the adjacent Old Doty House and requested dimensions to confirm setbacks; a landscape architect who spoke during the review estimated the separation between properties at roughly 20 to 30 feet. Commissioners also asked about lot coverage, perimeter plantings and tree impacts. The applicant and project team said an arborist had assessed storm-damaged trees and that some trees in the immediate building envelope were declared unsafe and removed; the applicant said replanting is planned.
Overall, commissioners praised the level of detail in the design and encouraged the applicant to resolve remaining questions about placement relative to the Doty House, porte-cochere location and any final lot-coverage calculations prior to submitting a formal COA application. No formal action or vote on a COA was taken at this meeting; the item was a complimentary review to provide early feedback.
