Board approves certificate of appropriateness for 122 Potomac with staff stipulations

The board approved the application for Case 122 Potomac (case no. 2025-352) following public comment and discussion.

A voicemail from Lulu Francois, chairwoman of the Dignity Hill Historic Neighborhood Review Committee, indicated the neighborhood agreed with staff recommendations but asked that a rear elevation window outlined in blue be changed to a 1-over-1 sash. A commissioner pulled the item from the consent agenda to ask questions about enforcement and the property’s condition.

Staff explained that drawings had been submitted to address violations and that the neighborhood’s window request was not a condition the applicant had requested. Staff said the existing rear window would not be forced to be replaced with a 1-over-1 unless the applicant requested modification. Commissioners discussed enforcement options and the state of the property; one commissioner noted the owner is new and that conversations with the owner began recently.

A commissioner moved to approve the case with staff stipulations; the motion was seconded and the board approved the staff recommendations by roll call. The chair asked staff to coordinate with the applicant on next steps and reminded all that approval by the board does not remove the need for city permits.

The certificate of appropriateness will be issued consistent with staff process and mailed to the applicant within the usual 10-day timeframe.