Commission approves hardscape subject to staff review and refers 349 West 2nd Avenue deck to subcommittee

The Victorian Village Commission split and resolved a rear‑yard renovation at 349 West 2nd Avenue, approving the proposed hardscape/paver materials subject to staff review while moving the deck design to a commissioner subcommittee for more detailed review.

Applicant Jessica Oliver described the existing deteriorated deck and said the proposal would replace the upper deck structure and pavers in the yard; the proposed deck dimensions are 8 feet by 12 feet with three steps down to the paver patio. HPO staff noted prior guidance that decks are considered a suburban element and recommended splitting the application into Part A (deck) and Part B (landscape/hardscape).

Commissioners signaled comfort with the paver material pending specific product and color confirmation via staff review, but asked for revised guardrail and skirting details on the deck, and suggested eliminating a small secondary stair and simplifying access to reduce the appearance of suburban cladding. "I think to stay away from the composite in this situation would be the preferred treated," a commissioner said, and commissioners asked the applicant to provide more detailed rail and skirting drawings for subcommittee review.

Votes: the commission approved Part B (pavers/hardscape) with staff delegated to review final materials and referred Part A (deck) to a subcommittee to review details. Next steps: applicant to submit revised guardrail and skirting details and coordinate with HPO for the subcommittee review.