Historic board approves modified design for 729 South Street after siding debate

The Peekskill Historic and Landmark Preservation Board voted to approve a modified exterior design for 729 South Street, an application presented by architect Marco Mandra. The board’s action followed discussion about whether the proposed vertical board-and-batten siding fit the property’s Victorian-era character and a brief explanation that construction had already begun after a permitting discrepancy with the building department.

Board members and the applicant agreed on a compromise: the main body of the building will be horizontal siding in white, the applicant will add a gable (attic) window to preserve roofline character, the porch woodworking will be retained and painted Chantilly Lace, and the windows will be black Pella 250-series. Applicant Marco Mandra told the board, “So, essentially, when we began the project, there was a bit of a discrepancy with the building department.” He also noted that much of the work has been interior framing repair after discovering rot and that budget constraints influenced some design choices.

Board members debated the appropriateness of board-and-batten versus horizontal siding for this block, with one committee member saying, “I think eliminating the shutters doesn't really bother me because some of them are a little strange anyway and don't make sense.” The chair summarized the board’s recommendation before the vote: “The building stays white, the windows stay black. We add the window to the front. Porch stays color that you chose in vinyl, building stays white for the body all the way through and just matches the back horizontal so that it's all horizontal.”

The vote was taken by voice and the board approved the plan as summarized. The board acknowledged that the applicant ordered some windows and has begun interior work, and staff reiterated that any permanent signage will require a separate sign-approval application and a return visit from the applicant. The board did not specify a permit penalty or remediation related to the earlier permitting discrepancy during the meeting.

Next steps: the applicant will proceed with the approved exterior treatment and return to the board for sign review. The board did not set a new public hearing date during the meeting.