Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Exterior Color topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission splits with applicant over black frames; staff and SHPO favor lighter beige to match historic façade
Summary
The applicant proposed black-clad Pella windows to match the ground-floor storefront, but staff and SHPO recommended a lighter beige closer to the upper-floor masonry sills; commissioners asked for a physical color sample and agreed to a continuation so staff can compare a chip to the building's finish.
A central disagreement in the hearing centered on exterior window color: the applicant proposed black/aluminum-clad Pella units to match the lower-level storefronts, while staff and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recommended a lighter beige/tan that relates to the second-floor masonry and original painted wood frames.
Staff noted the applicant's black proposal "would match the lower level windows," but said SHPO prefers a color that better relates to the upper brick and sills. Several commissioners agreed a lighter color would be more compatible with the historic appearance: "I agree that the upper level, those windows should be a lighter color for sure," one commissioner said. Commissioners asked staff and the applicant to provide a physical sample or a chip so the commission could make a determinate finding at a continued hearing. Staff emphasized it could condition the action to have staff finalize the match to a specific reference feature (for example, the window sill) if the commission preferred that route.
Why it matters: Window color affects the visual character of a landmark façade and is central to determining compatibility under local ordinance and Secretary of the Interior guidance. The commission put a continuation on the calendar to review a Pella swatch or material chip before making final findings.
