Historic Preservation Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 20, 2022 The Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission met and considered the following items at a public meeting on Wednesday, April 20th,at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was held at 120 W. Dougherty Street, Athens, Georgia. MEMBERS PRESENT: Joanna Beckman, Jeff Bishop, Bobbie Epting, Worth VanLinden, Ellen Walker, Thomas White MEMBERS ABSENT: Heather Fletcher STAFF PRESENT: Sandy Beasley, Amber Eskew, Austin Jackson (ACC Attorney’s Office), Bruce Lonnee (host) CALL TO ORDER: 1. Determination of Quorum: Quorum present 2. Introduction of staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission at this meeting into the official record: Motion to receive all documents into the official record passed unanimously. 3. Adoption of the minutes: Motion to adopt the minutes of the March 16th, 2022 meeting passed unanimously. 4. Ex-Parte Communications: none OLD BUSINESS: 1. 125 East Clayton Street COA-2022-02-402 Petitioner: David Matheny for Patricia Ruppersburg Request: Storefront renovation Information: 171B5 A004, Downtown, C-D Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve the application as submitted. This item was tabled at the March, 2022 meeting. Agent / Owner: David Matheny In Favor: none Opposed: none Motion: Mr. White moved to approve the application as submitted. Mr. VanLinden seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 2. 480 Meigs Street COA-2022-02-406 Petitioner: Katrina Evans / E+E Architecture for Chase Lawrence 1  Request: Construct Carriage House Information: 171A1 J006, Cobbham, RM-1 Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve the application as submitted. This item was tabled at the March, 2022 meeting. Agent / Owner: Katrina Evans In Favor: none Opposed: none Motion: Ms. Epting moved to approve the application as submitted. Ms. Beckman seconded and the motion passed. Mr. Bishop abstained as he lives in this neighborhood. NEW BUSINESS: 1. 277 Hill Street COA-2022-03-754 Petitioner: Koons Environmental Design for Joseph Pruitt Request: Front Yard Fencing Information: 171A1 J004, Cobbham, RM-1 Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve the application with conditions. Agent / Owner: Kayla Bare In Favor: none Opposed: none Motion: Mr. White moved to approve the application with staff’s recommended conditions that the front walkway and retaining wall be approved and that the front yard fencing not be included in the approval. Ms. Walker seconded. The motion passed 5 -1 with Mr. VanLinden opposing. CONCEPTUAL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW: 1. 1160 Boulevard COA-2022-04-968 Petitioner: Kjirsten Ogburn Design for Sabrina Crah Mark Request: Modifications following fire damage Information: 114C2 G008, Buena Vista, RS-8 Ms. Eskew presented the staff report. With this item being a conceptual review, the applicant seeks comments only. The comments are not binding and no decision will be made at this meeting. Agent / Owner: Kjirsten Ogburn 2  In Favor: none Opposed: none The Commission offered the following comments:  Mr. Lonnee noted that building code does allow for flexibility of designated historic properties.  Current code would affect the height of the railing.  Would object to removing decorative features  Using higher railings on the front affects the character.  Not using railings would be preferred from a preservation point. The house really doesn’t need them.  The porch rail can be lowered and tie in to a section of the post that isn’t turned.  The step handrails could be freestanding so they are not attached to the posts on the front porch. This would not impact the historic resource.  With the grade next to steps being consistent with the steps, there is no code requirement for a handrail.  Consider breaking up the steep stairway with a landing.  The historic posts and the decorative elements of the front of the house need to remain as this makes the house unique.  The front façade of this mill house is essential and should stay the same. Adding railings and stretching the stairs would change the front façade.  Cleaning up the many roof lines makes sense. Making the rooflines more cohesive would not affect the character of the home. The profile of the front using gable rather than shed dormers makes sense.  Concern with how far the west side bumps out and how it affects the profile of the front. The side facades of several neighboring houses to the east are flush with the front of the houses.  The ceiling height of the porch is a bit non-traditional. Consider dropping it down to that of a more traditional porch to soften the way it sticks out. 2. 317 Franklin Street COA-2022-04-969 Petitioner: Kjirsten Ogburn Design for Anne S. Moser Request: Demolish Garage and New Accessory Building Information: 122B2 J011, Cobbham, RS-8 Ms. Eskew presented the staff report. With this item being a conceptual review, the applicant seeks comments only. The comments are not binding and no decision will be made at this meeting. Agent / Owner: Kjirsten Ogburn In Favor: none Opposed: none The Commission offered the following comments: 3   Consider using the unique doors in the new garage.  Too much detail in the garage, too fancy with too many gables  It looks like a tiny house. Make sure it is subordinate not only in size but in design  Make sure it is lower than the primary structure.  Relocating the garage then later adding on to the garage to become a carriage house might feel like it was more in keeping to the original historic structure.  Wants it to look like a garage built into a house as if a larger garage was enclosed for a simpler design.  Massing is a consideration with this design. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Designation Committee Report The Designation Committee did not meet this month. There are no new proposals to consider. 2. Education Committee Report The Education Committee did not meet this month. Reformatting of the Design Guidelines is progressing. The Education Committee will continue to meet virtually. Ms. Walker reviewed the upcoming schedule of the Committee’s Design Guidelines reformatting work. It is anticipated that the revised document will go before the M&C at the July meeting. All Commission members attended the Strategic Plan meeting on March 30th. Another meeting is scheduled for April 28th. 3. Miscellaneous Announcements: Based on Mayor and Commission’s March 15th meeting, public meetings are returning to in-person beginning in April. With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. 4