Board grants historic waiver for front-yard pool at 109 South L Street

The Historic Resources Preservation Board granted a historic waiver to permit a front‑yard swimming pool at 109 South L Street (HRPV project 26-00100035), with staff-recommended conditions limiting the waiver's scope and requiring safety and screening measures.

Planner Lauren Press presented the request, explained the lot's nonconforming size and the site's constraints, and said staff found the waiver would minimize visual and noise impacts while allowing reasonable use of the property. "Staff recommends approval of the historic waivers as the contributing structure meets the eligibility requirements for these requests," Press said, and listed four conditions including that the waiver apply only to the current scope, equipment be screened and limited to 65 decibels at the property line, and pool equipment be located behind the front building line and reviewed at permitting.

Owner Peter Sowestral, introduced by staff, described purchasing the property in February 2023 and said the existing house was in poor condition when acquired. He said plans have been submitted for administrative review and that the pool location behind landscaping and a retaining wall would reduce visibility. "I'm ready to move forward with it," Sowestral told the board.

Board members asked about safety and visibility from the street; the owner said the design includes landscaping, a fence and a self‑latching gate to meet safety code. A motion to approve the waiver with staff conditions passed by voice vote.

Staff noted any future development beyond the approved scope would need to meet current regulations and—or if structures are moved or demolished—would revert to current land-development rules.