Italian Village Commission continues one application, approves porch repair, siding revisions and conditioned new construction

The Italian Village Commission met on March 26, 2024, at 111 North Front Street to hear a slate of certificate‑of‑appropriateness and new‑construction applications. Commissioners continued one application to allow additional investigative demo and detailed drawings, and approved several other projects with conditions tied to drawings, material samples and staff review.

Staff framed the central structural concern in the meeting’s most contested item: an application at 1080 Say Avenue where staff recommended either targeted removal of siding to inspect framing and then repair and match the existing profiles, or continuing the application to allow exploratory demo and more complete plans. Staff told the commission that the north elevation showed “extensive damage” and recommended a staged approach in line with the code’s alteration standards (City Code 31.16.11). The property owner described rotten siding and interior framing damage and said he had shared video showing wood failing when probed. Commissioners pressed the owner to supply a written demo and sequencing plan, elevation‑by‑elevation drawings, and details that document what trim will be reused. The commission voted to continue the application so the applicant can submit the required investigative demo, drawings and sequence plan.

The commission approved other items subject to conditions and staff follow‑through. For 111 East 2nd Avenue, staff recommended approval of a porch rebuild to match existing materials and to provide drawings showing railing, post and decking details; the applicant agreed to submit the requested elevations and construction details and the commission granted approval with those conditions. For 1098 Say Avenue, staff and several commissioners recommended replacing previously installed vertical elements with 5‑inch horizontal siding and a smooth finish; the commission approved the horizontal siding revision while requiring the applicant to submit scale drawings of window and door trim and final color choices for staff review.

A larger new‑construction item on Greenwood Avenue (IB2401005) drew detailed discussion about lot coverage, driveways and landscaping. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including additional canopy trees and final color and lighting selections to be submitted to staff. Commissioners encouraged permeable paving or California‑strip driveways to reduce impervious surface and asked the applicant to return with a plan for tree replacement and stormwater tie‑ins. The commission recommended the variances and approved the application subject to the agreed conditions.

On windows and infill work for application 2403007, staff reported that six of the property’s ten windows appear to be original (2‑over‑2) and recommended restoring historic windows while replacing the four non‑historic windows from the approved window list. The commission approved replacement of those four windows and agreed to continue review of proposed siding changes; it also directed staff to work with the applicant on a shutter or faux‑door infill solution for a later, non‑original rear opening.

Throughout the meeting staff repeatedly noted the Commission’s charge to follow preservation guidelines when evidence supports an original condition. As the chair put it during debate over siding profiles, “On historic homes, we really defer to staff’s interpretation of historic guidelines and the way that the Secretary of Interior would apply those.” Commissioners used that principle to frame votes and to set the conditions they asked staff to oversee.

The commission closed the business portion of the meeting by offering design feedback on a conceptual breezeway activation at 841 High Street (acoustics and TV placement), and asked for additional technical materials on a multi‑building residential concept at 244 East 4th Avenue, including stormwater mitigation and details for relocating or reconstructing a small historic shotgun house. The meeting adjourned after votes on motions to continue and to approve the items summarized above.

Votes at a glance
- 1080 Say Avenue (IV‑23‑11‑018): Motion to continue for additional investigative demo and drawings — continued. (Commission direction: provide demo sequence and elevation drawings.)
- 111 East 2nd Avenue (IB2402013): Porch repair approved with conditions (elevation and section drawings; staff review of decking/railing details). — approved.
- 1098 Say Avenue (IB2402014): Approved to replace prior vertical proposals with 5‑inch horizontal siding (smooth finish); applicant to submit scale window/door details and final colors to staff. — approved.
- Greenwood carriage house (IB2401005): Variances recommended and application approved with conditions (permeable or California‑strip driveway options, additional canopy trees, final lighting and colors to staff). — approved (conditions).
- 2403007 (windows/siding): Approved replacement of 4 non‑original windows with staff‑approved windows; shutter/faux‑door infill for later openings approved with staff consultation; siding changes continued. — partial approval/continuance.

What happens next
Applicants whose projects were continued were told to return with investigative demo, scale elevation drawings, and material cut sheets where requested; staff will work with applicants on final details and has authority to approve items routed to “staff review” in the motions.

Quotes
- “Staff recommends the following applicant remove siding from the 2nd floor band down to the 1st floor on the north elevation to assess the condition of the framing,” staff told the commission when describing the options for 1080 Say Avenue (Staff (Gordon Brown)).
- “On historic homes, we really defer to staff’s interpretation of historic guidelines and the way that the Secretary of Interior would apply those,” Chair Jason Sui said while explaining the commission’s preference to follow staff guidance on original profiles and materials.
- The property owner at 1080 Say Avenue said he had video evidence of failing framing and urged timely work: “I’m just begging to get this thing going because there’s holes in the house, and it’s just gonna continue to get worse and worse,” (Applicant (unnamed)).

Ending
The commission closed the meeting after asking applicants to supply the additional drawings and technical follow‑ups requested; several items were continued to allow staff and applicants to resolve documentation and technical issues before final certificates are issued.