Historic Preservation Commission
Regular MeetingAthens-Clarke County, GA · January 17, 2024
Minutes
ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
January 17, 2024
The Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission met and considered the following
items at a public meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was held
at 120 W. Dougherty Street, Athens, Georgia.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas White, Lindsey Roper, Joanna Beckman, Bobbie Epting, Ellen
Walker, Worth VanLinden, Heather Fletcher (Chair)
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Amber Eskew, Misty Carlisle, Bruce Lonnee, Austin Jackson (ACC
Attorney’s Office)
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 6-0. Ms. Walker – motion; Mr. White – 2nd
3. Adoption of the minutes of the December 20, 2023 agenda review: Motion to adopt the
minutes of the December 20, 2023 agenda review passed unanimously 6:0. Ms. Epting –
motion; Ms. Beckman – 2nd
4. Adoption of the minutes of the December 20, 2023 hearing: Motion to adopt the minutes of
the December 20, 2023 hearing passed unanimously 5:0. Ms. Roper – motion; Ms. Walker
– 2nd; Mr. VanLinden abstained, having been absent on December 20th.
5. Ex-Parte communications: None
OLD BUSINESS:
1. 815 N Chase St COA-2023-12-2392
Petitioner: Gabe Comstock/Arcollab as agent for Bruno & Lourdes
Rubio
Request: Overhead Door & Accessory Structure
Information: 114D1 A024, Boulevard, C-N
Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve with conditions.
Agent / Owner: Gabe Comstock - Agent
In Favor: None
Opposed: None
1
Motion: Ms. Epting moved to approve the application with the conditions that the fencing
at the west side not exceed the front building line of porch of the adjacent property at 738
Boulevard and that the accessory structure not be included in the approval. The applicant can
return with new application showing lower height and roof pitch on the accessory structure.
Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5:1 with Mr. VanLinden opposing.
2. 398 S Milledge Ave COA-2023-12-2402
Petitioner: Lori Bork Newcomer/Arcollab as agent for National Corp of
Delta Phi Epsilon Inc
Request: Demolish Kitchen House & Demolish Wall Portion
Information: 122D2 A005, S Milledge Ave, C-O
Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve.
Agent / Owner: Lori Bork Newcomer - Agent
In Favor: Joe Smith
Opposed: None
Motion: Mr. VanLinden moved to approve the application. Ms. Epting seconded. The
motion passed unanimously 6:0
3. 317 S Milledge Ave COA-2023-12-2404
Petitioner: David Matheny/AMT as agent for Delta Zeta Sorority
Request: Modify Front Roofline & Rear Addition
Information: 171C1 D003, S Milledge Ave, C-O
Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve with conditions.
Agent / Owner: David Matheny - Agent
In Favor: None
Opposed: None
Motion: Mr. VanLinden moved to approve the application with a condition that the
applicant work with staff regarding any column replacement. Mr. White seconded. The
motion passed unanimously 6:0
NEW BUSINESS:
1. 247 Lyndon Ave COA-2023-12-2358
Petitioner: Matthew Cantin as agent for Joshua Dieffenbacher
Request: Replace Rear Extension & Expose Wood Siding
Information: 114D4 B022, Boulevard, RS-8
2
Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to table the application.
Agent / Owner: Joshua Dieffenbacher - Owner
In Favor: None
Opposed: None
Motion: Ms. Roper moved to table the application for up to 6 months. Mr. White seconded.
Mr. Dieffenbacher signed agreement to table. The motion passed unanimously 6-0.
2. 287 Henderson Ave COA-2023-11-2400
Petitioner: Gabe Comstock
Request: 8’ Tall Steel Rear Fencing
Information: 171C1 E009, Henderson, RS-8
Ms. Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve the application.
Agent / Owner: Gabe Comstock - Owner
In Favor: None
Opposed: None
Motion: Mr. VanLinden moved to approve the application with the option to allow a 10’ tall
fence along the rear property line only. Ms. Roper seconded. The motion passed unanimously
6-0.
CONCEPTUAL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW: None
OTHER BUSINESS:
1. Strategic Plan Update
Annual Report is finished and at the printers.
Review of the redesign of the Design Guidelines is halfway finished.
2. Designation Committee Report
Did not meet in January, but will meet in February to review a draft of the landmark
designation report for the Mack-Burney House.
3. Education Committee Report
Did not meet. Will meet next month.
4. Miscellaneous Announcements:
• Ms. Eskew noted there is at least 1 COA items for the February meeting.
• Everyone present anticipated attendance on February 21st.
3
• Ms. Epting noted that the Georgia Trust Ramble was noted to be in Athens and
Watkinsville April 19-21.
• Ms. Fletcher has delivered to local realtors the printed copies of the Landmarks and
Districts book and it has been well received.
• Ms. Fletcher reminded the members to respond to the email thread about the homework
for their top revisions to the Design Guidelines that they see as needed. This will be
discussed at the February Education Committee meeting. Ms. Epting suggested that once
the scope is narrowed and the specifics addressed that perhaps past HPC members or
architects who appear regularly be included in the discussion.
With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
4
Agenda
ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FINAL AGENDA
January 17, 2024 at 5:30 PM
120 W. Dougherty Street
In-Person Hearing- See Below for More Details
I CALL TO ORDER:
1. Determination of Quorum
2. Introduction of staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Historic Preservation
Commission at this meeting into the official record.
3. Adoption of minutes from the December 20, 2023 agenda review.
4. Adoption of minutes from the December 20, 2023 hearing.
II OLD BUSINESS:
1. 815 N. Chase Street COA-2023-12-2392
Petitioner: Gabe Comstock/Arcollab as agent for Bruno & Lourdes Rubio
Request: Overhead Door and Accessory Structure
Information: 114D1 A024, Boulevard, C-N
2. 398 S. Milledge Avenue COA-2023-12-2402
Petitioner: Lori Bork Newcomer/Arcollab as agent for National Corp. of Delta
Phi Epsilon, Inc.
Request: Demolish Kitchen House and Demolish Wall Portion
Information: 122D2 A005, Milledge Ave, C-O
3. 317 S. Milledge Avenue COA-2023-12-2404
Petitioner: David Matheny/ AMT as agent for Delta Zeta Sorority
Request: Modify Front Roofline and Rear Addition
Information: 171C1 D003, S. Milledge Ave., C-O
III NEW BUSINESS:
1. 247 Lyndon Avenue COA-2023-12-2358
Petitioner: Matthew Cantin as agent for Joshua Dieffenbacher
Request: Replace Rear Extension and Expose Wood Siding
Information: 114D4 B022, Boulevard, RS-8
2. 287 Henderson Avenue COA-2023-12-2400
Petitioner: Gabe Comstock
Request: 8’ tall steel rear fencing
Information: 171C1 E009, Henderson, RS-8
IV CONCEPTUAL PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW: None
V OTHER BUSINESS:
1. STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
2. DESIGNATION Committee Report
3. EDUCATION Committee Report
4. MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Public Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission: The next regular monthly meeting
will be February 21, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the Auditorium at 120 W. Dougherty Street, Athens, GA.
Please note the following regarding the return to an in-person hearing format:
• An agenda review will be held prior to the advertised hearing at 5:00 pm prior to the start of the advertised
hearing. This is open to the public but will not include any public comment opportunities and no decisions
about pending item or properties will be made at the agenda review.
• Comment on any item may be sent by email to planning@accgov.com prior to noon on January 16th.
• Comment up to 3 minutes in length may given at the appropriate time for any agenda item during the
hearing.
• The hearing will be broadcast on YouTube. https://youtube.com/live/wS_hXyQkshY?feature=share
•
•
2
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
CASE NUMBER COA-2023-12-2392
815 N. Chase Street
January 17, 2023
OWNER & APPLICANT……………….…. Gabe Comstock/ Arcollab as agent for Bruno & Lourdes Rubio
REQUEST……………………………………………………............ Overhead door and accessory structure
LOCATION……………………………………………………………………….…. 815 N. Chase Street
HISTORIC DESIGNATION……………………………………….…........... Boulevard Historic District
ZONING DISTRICT ……………………………………………..….. C-N (Commercial-Neighborhood)
TAX MAP NUMBER …………………………………………………………………….... 114D1 A024
The purpose of this request is to seek approval of modifying a storefront window at the Chase Street
elevation to an overhead door and to add an accessory structure to the property. These changes are to be
in addition to those reviewed and approved in September of 2023.
3
CERFTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATNESS
CASE NUMBER COA-2023-12-2402
398 South Milledge Ave.
January 17, 2023
OWNER & APPLICANT.................................................. Lori Bork Newcomer/ Arcollab as agent for
Delta Phi Epsilon Inc.
REQUEST…………………………… Demolition of Kitchen Massing and Demolition of Wall Section
LOCATION…………………………………………………………………... 398 South Milledge Ave.
HISTORIC DESIGNATION…………………….………………………...…….....…...... Milledge Ave.
ZONING DISTRICT ………………...…………………….…………………C-O (Commerical-Office)
TAX MAP NUMBER ………………………………………………………………….... 122 D2 A005
This application seeks approval of the demolition of the rear kitchen massing, which was denied at the
November 2023 hearing but returning with additional information as well as a request to demolish a
portion of the wall at the southern property line and replace it with fencing.
4
CERFTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATNESS
CASE NUMBER COA-2023-12-2404
317 South Milledge Ave.
January 17, 2023
OWNER & APPLICANT……………………… David Matheny/ AMT as agent for Delta Zeta Sorority
REQUEST…………………………………….…………….…. Modify Front Roofline & Rear Addition
LOCATION……………………………………………………….….….....…... 317 S. Milledge Avenue
HISTORIC DESIGNATION…………………….…………..…....... Milledge Avenue. Historic District
ZONING DISTRICT ………………...…………………….…………...…..… C-O (Commercial-Office)
TAX MAP NUMBER …………………………………………………………………….... 171C1 D003
Approval is sought to modify the front porch roof form and for a rear addition at the left side of the
building. Material changes would also occur at the front terrace. This project received comments on the
concept drawings at the December 2023 hearing.
5
CERFTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATNESS
CASE NUMBER COA-2023-12-2358
247 Lyndon Ave.
January 17, 2023
OWNER & APPLICANT…………………….…… Matthew Cantin as agent for Joshua Dieffenbacher
REQUEST…………………………………….………. Replace Rear Addition and Expose Wood Siding
LOCATION…………………………………………………….….….……......…... 247 Lyndon Avenue
HISTORIC DESIGNATION…………………….………………………....... Boulevard Historic District
ZONING DISTRICT ………………...…………………….….…..… RS-8 (Residential-Single Family)
TAX MAP NUMBER …………………………………………………………………….... 114D4 B022
Approval is sought to replace the previous rear extension and to allow removal of the replacement siding
to expose the wood siding. The demolition and removal portions of the project have already occurred
without the benefit of review.
6
CERFTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATNESS
CASE NUMBER COA-2023-12-2400
287 Henderson Ave.
January 17, 2023
OWNER & APPLICANT…………………………………………………………..…… Gabe Comstock
REQUEST…………………………………….…………………………...…. 8’ Tall, Steel Rear Fencing
LOCATION…………………………………………………….….….……..…... 287 Henderson Avenue
HISTORIC DESIGNATION…………………….………………………....... Henderson Historic District
ZONING DISTRICT ………………...………………………...…..… RS-8 (Residential-Single Family)
TAX MAP NUMBER …………………………………………………………………….... 171C1 E009
Approval is sought to replace the existing rear fencing with an 8’ tall steel fence.
7
Get email alerts for Athens-Clarke County
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.