428 Ford Street plan: owner seeks addition with SHPO concurrence; commissioners request material details

Phil Lang and his project team presented a concept review for 428 Ford Street that pairs a relatively large modern rear addition with restoration of the front porches. Staff said the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has reviewed the design and provided preliminary concurrence. The project strategy includes stepping the addition down two feet from the original house, creating a hyphen to separate new from old, matching lap siding (likely LP Smart Siding) and specifying Marvin Elevate windows for the new work.

Applicant representatives described interior planning — a two-story great room, dormers to provide headroom on the second floor, and a hyphen that reduces the perceived mass from the street. The team also described technical constraints revealed during survey work, including a non-historic chimney the State indicated could be removed because it does not contribute to the historic fabric. Commissioners praised the level of pre-submittal work and 3D renderings, and asked the applicants to return with final material samples (siding, trim, brick for a proposed fireplace/chimney) and clarified foundation and hyphen details at permit review.

The commission did not vote because the item was a concept review; commissioners expressed general support but requested additional detail before formal permit approval.