Winchester BAR approves exterior work, patio expansion and relocation of smoking pavilion at 202 West Boscawen Street

At its Aug. 7, 2025, meeting the Winchester Board of Architectural Review approved BAR25-275, a certificate of appropriateness requested by Kevin Walker to allow a series of exterior changes at 202 West Boscawen Street in downtown Winchester. The board voted to approve the paint color, a new rear privacy fence, a black metal perimeter fence around a proposed patio, elevation of existing masonry walls to create a raised patio, and relocation of an existing smoking pavilion behind a new rear fence.

The board said the package of changes would maintain the building’s downtown character while improving service and visual screening for mechanical and trash equipment. The applicant presented five items for review: repainting painted brick with a swatch described as “Mesa Beige,” a wooden privacy fence behind the building to screen a smoker, a minimal black metal fence (described as about 36 inches tall) around the customer patio, a raised patio area that repurposes existing concrete-aggregate surfacing and elevates some masonry walls, and the relocation of an existing outdoor smoking pavilion to a spot behind the new rear fence.

Board members and staff emphasized access and coordination with other disciplines. The rear wooden fence must include gates for dumpster and equipment access and will require coordination with the site civil design; the applicant was told to keep access routes for maintenance of the smoker. The board discussed allowing the rear privacy fence in stained wood, painted white or black, or a stain to “wear well with the smoke.” The board also approved the black metal perimeter fence around the patio as shown in the submittal, noting the board’s guidance that darker finishes tend to be visually less intrusive in the walking-mall streetscape.

Members discussed the patio’s materiality and grade. The approved plan calls for the new patio to match the existing concrete-aggregate material and to reuse or extend the existing low masonry landscape walls; the plans presented showed raising portions of those masonry walls by roughly one brick-course (applicant noted a likely 12-inch raise) to provide a curb and mounting surface for the patio fence. The design retains an ADA-accessible route; new flagstone steps were presented to allow access from Washington Street in addition to existing ramps.

The smoking pavilion will be moved from its current visible location to the rear near the new fence line; the board approved relocation so long as the structure and any sign panels can be integrated with the permitted rear screening. The applicant will coordinate final siting with site and structural drawings, and staff noted that some dimensions and footing work remain unresolved and must be handled in subsequent construction drawings and permitting.

Action and next steps: the board made a motion to approve BAR25-275 as presented with latitude for rear fence material and finish, approval of the black metal patio railing as shown, elevation or replacement of the existing masonry wall to reach the patio height, and relocation of the smoking pavilion. The motion included the option for the applicant to retain or relocate existing decorative panels on the pavilion or to place signage on the approved rear fence; panels in front of the pavilion were not required. The board approved the request by voice vote; the applicant was reminded to coordinate final details with city staff and civil/structural consultants before construction.

The board’s decision covers exterior design and streetscape impacts reviewed under BAR procedures; any building- or site-work that requires structural/permit review will be handled through the city’s permit process.