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Board approves storefront changes, setback waiver and Ad Valorem pre‑approval for 716 Lake Avenue
Summary
The Historic Resources Preservation Board approved HRPB Project 26-00100056 to move the façade back, reinstate historic storefront patterns and split the space into four tenant units at 716 Lake Avenue; the board granted a historic setback waiver and pre-construction Ad Valorem tax-exemption and voted unanimously.
Senior Preservation Planner Anne Hamilton introduced HRPB Project 26-00100056, describing the commercial building at 716 Lake Avenue as a contributing resource to the Old Town Historic District with original features including corner display windows, a decorative knee wall and four door openings. Hamilton said the current storefront reflects later alterations and staff supports reinstating some original features while allowing flexibility for modern tenancy.
Applicants Joshua Robins and Jared Robins told the board they planned to move the front façade back roughly five feet from the existing 4'11" position to create a deeper, more usable frontage and split the space into four units with operable glass "nano" walls to increase interaction with the sidewalk; they said many current available spaces on Lake Avenue are hard to lease. Architect Juan Contin and the applicants discussed knee-wall design and safety concerns; Laura Devlin suggested planters as a compromise.
Public commenter Betty Resch urged approval, saying the empty storefronts need revitalization: "Approve without the knee wall and as proposed." After discussion about spacing and historic door locations, M. Huffman moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness, the historic setback waiver and the Ad Valorem pre-approval with staff-recommended conditions (eliminating Conditions #1, #3, #4, #7); Edmund Deveaux seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
