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Committee denies request to enclose side porch at 304 Oakwood Avenue
Summary
The committee denied a proposal to enclose a street-facing side porch at 304 Oakwood Avenue, finding the porch likely original and that enclosure would compromise the building's architectural integrity.
On July 30 the Certificate of Appropriateness Committee voted to deny an application to enclose a prominent side porch at 304 Oakwood Avenue, concluding that enclosure would remove character-defining features of a porch likely original to the house.
Staff presented the application and noted the guidelines that the enclosure of a front porch is not appropriate and that sensitive enclosure of side or rear porches "may be appropriate" only when the building's architectural integrity is not compromised. Homeowner Carter Skinner and co-owners testified that they want to enclose the porch to create a first-floor master suite, reduce vagrancy and secure deliveries.
Commissioners debated whether the porch should be treated as a side porch or a front-facing feature and pointed to historical evidence. Multiple commissioners cited the 1903 Sanborn Fire Insurance map and the staff's congruity analysis showing the porch footprint likely present on early maps; several commissioners said the proposal would remove original material and harm the house's historic character. "This is essentially cutting a hole in what is almost certainly original and, like, removing some original character-defining features," one commissioner said during deliberations.
After extended discussion, Chair Lauren Woodard moved to deny the application; a second was recorded and the motion carried. The committee instructed staff to adopt a written decision with the minutes.
