Architectural Review Board

From: Raymond Renault To: Planning Subject: [EXTERNAL] 314 William Street Renovation Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:47:15 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. To whom it may concern, My name is Raymond Renault and I'm the owner of La Petite Auberge located at 311 William Street. I am writing this email in support of the proposed renovation to 314 William Street that is under the board's consideration. I have seen the plans and in my humble opinion they represent an aesthetic upgrade to what is currently there while also fitting in nicely with the rest of the architecture that is on our block and downtown Fredericksburg in general. Thank you, Raymond Renault From: Jeff Morin To: Planning Subject: [EXTERNAL] 314 William St. Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 4:27:09 PM Attachments: image001.gif image002.gif image003.gif image004.gif image005.gif image006.gif CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Jeff Morin 1014 Prince Edward St. & 312 William St. Fredericksburg VA 22401 Jeff@CoinsForAnything.com 07/16/2024 Dear Members of the Historic Review Board, I am writing to express my strong support for the remodel proposal for 314 William Street. As a member of the community who deeply values our neighborhood's historical character, I believe the proposed changes will greatly enhance the building's aesthetic appeal while respecting its historical significance. The current appearance of 314 William Street leans towards a more modern design, which, while not inappropriate in all contexts, does not harmonize with the historical charm that defines our neighborhood. The remodel proposal seeks to rectify this by incorporating architectural elements that are more in line with the building's original design and the surrounding historical context. Furthermore, I believe the remodel will be well received by many in our community. As someone who has spoken with neighbors and fellow residents, there is a shared appreciation for efforts that enhance our neighborhood's aesthetic appeal while honoring its history. The remodel of 314 William Street has the potential to serve as a model for future projects in our area, demonstrating how thoughtful design can strengthen community identity and pride. In conclusion, I urge the Historic Review Board to approve the remodel proposal for 314 William Street. Thank you for considering outside views on this matter. Sincerely, Jeff Morin CEO Coins For Anything, Inc. Toll Free: 866.583.5434 | Local: 540.376.7000 Jeff@CoinsForAnything.com 1014 Prince Edward St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 From: Chris Franklin To: Planning Subject: [EXTERNAL] 314 William Street Date: Friday, July 26, 2024 1:55:24 PM Attachments: image001.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. As a member of Blackacre Investment Group (the owner of the buildings at 910 and 912 Princess Anne Street, as well as the parking lot at 306 William Street), I write in support of the proposed renovations to 314 William Street. As proposed, the project would be an attractive and compatible renovation on one of the City’s busiest areas for City residents and visitors alike. I applaud the new owners of the building for taking the initiative on this project and strongly believe this is the kind of project the City and ARB should approve. The ARB’s memo cites concerns with altering the one-story appearance of the building (even though it was originally two stories) and potentially confusing the “history of the structure”. The true history of the structure was lost long ago and the current owners should not be burdened with requirements aimed to recreate it. This proposed project would significantly improve the appearance of the building and the changes would be compatible with the style and appearance of adjacent structures. Removal and replacement of the wood-framed canopy on the rooftop deck with a second floor addition would be a tremendous improvement to the attractiveness and usefulness of the building. While the existing metal awning and wood slats on the façade were attractive when originally installed, removal of those features and covering the stucco with brick veneer would also greatly improve the aesthetics of the building. I would urge reconsideration of the prior determination that there is historic significance to the one- story form of the building dating to 1955 in favor of improvement and development of the structure for better use and appearance. This opportunity for development and improvement should not be stifled by overregulation. Thank you for your consideration,                Chris Christian B. Franklin PARRISH SNEAD FRANKLIN SIMPSON, PLC 910 Princess Anne St., 2nd Floor P.O. Box 7166 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22404 540.373.3500 (t) | 540.899.6394 (f) Franklin@ParrishSnead.com www.ParrishSnead.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission has been sent by a lawyer. It may contain information that is confidential, privileged, proprietary, or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy or disseminate this message, any part of it, or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please delete this message and any attachments from your system without reading the content and notify the sender immediately of the inadvertent transmission. There is no intent on the part of the sender to waive any privilege, including the attorney-client privilege, that may attach to this communication. Thank you for your cooperation. 12 August 2024 To: Kate S. Schwartz ksschwartz@fredericksburgva.gov cc: Planning@fredericksburgva.gov The Historic Fredericksburg Foundation has reviewed the upcoming agenda and related COA documents for the August 12, 2024, meeting of the Architectural Review Board and submits the following comments on select projects to be distributed to ARB members and read into the public record. Public Hearing: 10.A. COA2406-0062 – 314 William Street HFFI fully supports staff’s determination that this COA remains inconsistent with the design guidelines. While changes have been made in response to the ARB’s feedback, much remains to be done to bring this application into compliance with design guidelines. This COA has been discussed at two consecutive meetings where ARB members repeatedly requested and reiterated that the proposed rooftop addition needed to be setback from the façade to be “more inconspicuous,” particularly since the guidelines state that additions should be made to the side or rear of a contributing structure in the district. This addition is not in any way inconspicuous. At the ARB work session, HFFI provided excerpts from the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines wherein rooftop additions to historic buildings less than 3-stories tall were expressly noted as inappropriate. So we know this rooftop addition would be denied in most historic districts across the country. Planning and zoning regulations exist to guide and restrict what property owners can and cannot do in certain areas. Like other such districts across the country, Fredericksburg’s historic ordinance and design guidelines exist to help us navigate change, not stop it. The guidelines help us direct the continued growth downtown in a manner that preserves the visual character and physical integrity of the historic core of our community—affecting just one-half of a square mile (0.5 sq. mi.) of the 10 square miles that comprise this City. Roughly a decade ago, illegal alterations were made to this property that sowed division and derision in our community. The need for a single business to open and operate a restaurant was pitted against communal zoning laws and design guidelines that have stewarded our historic downtown for several decades. It is our hope that this historic asset will not continue to be an outlier to the district’s historic character. 1 Even if the structural load for this new rooftop addition was incapable of being accommodated at any point further back into the building, the visual and physical impacts of the proposed project remain inconsistent with the guidelines to which we, as a community, have chosen to adhere. HFFI urges members of the ARB to uphold the guidelines and encourage greater compliance for this COA. HFFI is also willing to consult with the applicant and/or their representatives to help them with the guidelines and any part of the construction process. Our organization is fully committed to supporting our community in the preservation, sensitive readaption, and revitalization of our cultural historic resources. 2