Commission OKs rear expansion and ADA entrance for Main Street storefront

The Historic Preservation Commission on the evening’s agenda approved a certificate of appropriateness to rehabilitate and expand a fire‑damaged 1915 commercial building at 1 Way North Main, allowing a rear addition and a modified primary entrance intended to provide ADA access.

Staff told the commission the building is listed as a high‑priority structure in the city’s railroad‑era survey and that the applicant proposes a restaurant and retail use on Main Street with a rear expansion toward Austin Street. Staff said the plan retains the historic front facade while changing the front doors to a single full‑light door and removing the existing threshold “to make the doors ADA compliant.” The commission accepted staff’s recommendation with conditions requiring dark metal or bronze finishes for window and door frames and prior staff review of awning/tint installations. (Staff member)

Commission discussion centered on visibility of the rear roofline from Main Street, screening of rooftop mechanicals, and the degree of window tinting acceptable on a historic storefront. One commissioner asked whether the proposed rear roof peak would be visible from the sidewalk; staff said it might be apparent from across the street but would not dominate the pedestrian view. The motion to approve the COA, including the staff conditions and the additional requirement that staff review any installed tent or tint prior to finalization, was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The approval is conditioned on staff‑approved details for fenestration color and on preserving the primary storefront rhythm; staff noted the applicant may return with additional proposals if future second‑floor work is pursued. The commission did not adopt a separate approval for any second‑story addition, which the applicant said is not part of immediate plans.