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Board members say city lacks formal design guidelines for replacement homes in historic district
Summary
Board members asked staff whether the city requires historically sympathetic facades for replacement houses after demolition; staff said no formal guidelines exist but the board and staff can make design suggestions for future proposals.
During deliberations on the demolition at 714 Avenue E, a board member asked whether the city has architectural guidelines that would require a historically sympathetic front facade on any new construction replacing a demolished historic home.
Planning staff replied, "We don't have any guidelines in place," and explained that while the board and staff have some authority to make suggestions about architectural design in the historic district, no formal, adopted guidelines were presented at the meeting. Board members said they would like to see guidance in the future so that replacements better reflect historic character.
The exchange occurred during the applicant hearing for PZCOA 2026-48; staff recommended approval of demolition on the basis of structural damage and unsafe conditions, and the board approved the request. The board did not adopt any design standards at this session.
