Board grants waiver for 500‑sq‑ft accessory garage at 1210 North Jay Street over staff conditions (4–1)

The Historic Resources Preservation Board voted 4–1 to approve a certificate of appropriateness and a historic waiver at 1210 North Jay Street that allows a two‑car, approximately 500‑square‑foot prefabricated metal garage to be built to the rear of an existing duplex.

Staff explained the request: because the principal duplex is small (about 986 sq ft), a 500‑sq‑ft garage would exceed the typical 40% accessory allowance, so the applicant sought a waiver to permit 50% of the habitable floor area. Staff said the waiver criteria were met — the size and placement were compatible with other accessory structures in the district and the project would minimize visual and aural impacts when sited in the rear — and recommended approval with conditions, including changing the aluminum roof to standing seam galvanized finish.

A public comment read into the record by staff questioned whether mailed notices and agenda materials were complete; staff replied that the city provides a two‑sided courtesy notice but the applicant mails it and staff's records showed mailing on May 26 with the office receiving comments May 29. The board discussed alternatives such as a smaller garage and the parking configuration, and a member noted the alley access is preferable to curb access on the street.

Following discussion a board member moved to approve project 26‑00100026 with staff‑recommended conditions; the motion passed 4–1. One board member opposed, citing concerns that a slightly smaller garage could preserve stricter adherence to accessory size limits.