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Commission tables major renovation at 41 West Columbus but allows limited exterior work so house can be dried in
Summary
The Landmarks Commission deferred a final decision on the conversion and two additions at 41 West Columbus Street, requiring additional window and freeze-board details; it authorized removal of existing vinyl siding and roughing-in window openings so the owner can start drying-in work pending a special meeting on the remaining items.
The commission deferred final approval for the substantial renovation and two proposed additions at 41 West Columbus Street after detailed discussion about materials, massing and historic character. Staff presented a large package that included LP SmartSide lap siding, a standing-seam metal roof over the original gable, Anderson windows (full divided light or simulated divided light), tuckpointing or using a stone veneer over existing CMU, cut-stone stoop details and a garage with a wood arbor.
The applicant sought plan approval to allow the team to proceed with work on the original home while the rear addition seeks a variance from Planning and Zoning. The applicant summarized the goal: “what we're really seeking to do here is get plan approval as is or any conditions that we'd have, understanding that that rear addition would need the variance before we start it yet” (Applicant/Presenter, speaker 8). Commissioners debated several design points: whether to eliminate a horizontal freeze board on the front gable, how to treat the mix of stone and new CMU on the west elevation, and whether the windows should be full divided-light or simulated divided-light windows with spacer bars. One commissioner cautioned against imposing a mismatched Greek-Revival vocabulary on a simple vernacular house, stating that “It's not a Greek revival house” (Architect/Advisor, speaker 11).
Rather than a blanket approval, commissioners voted to table CA26023 but approved a narrowly scoped action to remove the existing vinyl siding and rough in new window rough openings so the applicant can proceed with framing and ordering long-lead materials. The commission also requested revised drawings showing the front gable without the horizontal freeze board and an alternative showing the garage addition with full board-and-batten detail before a special meeting or the next regular meeting.
