Commission approves reconstruction of hurricane-damaged rear cottage at 2644 Henry Street

The Augusta Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing owners to reconstruct a rear cottage at 2644 Henry Street in the Summerville Historic District after the original was destroyed in Hurricane Helene. Staff and Historic Augusta found the proposed new cottage appears to meet Somerville design guidelines in siting, design, scale, proportion and materials.

Elizabeth McGee of Cheatham Fletcher & Scott presented the application, saying the replacement largely matches the prior cottage in footprint and location but is four feet taller to align the dripline with the main house. The petitioner submitted, and the Board of Zoning Appeals granted, variances for building area (proposed 1,362 sq ft vs. allowed 1,006), height (two stories and 22 feet vs. allowed one story and 18 feet) and use (residential use where not allowed by-right). The BZA granted those variances on July 21.

Materials for the new cottage include standing-seam metal roofing, aluminum-clad wood windows with simulated divided lights, white stucco walls with thin brick-veneer columns and a water table. Staff recommended approval, and the commission voted in favor with seven commissioners present.