Proposed home on 1005 College Street draws questions on drainage, colors and variances in Montgomery historic district

Montgomery, May 5, 2026 — A preliminary presentation for a new single-family house at 1005 College Street in Montgomery's Historic Preservation District prompted questions from commissioners and a resident about drainage, foundation type, paint colors and potential variances. The commission took no formal action and asked the applicant to return with more detailed materials.

A staff member who presented the plans described the proposal as a single-family dwelling that generally follows the district's design standards and said the applicant will likely request a front-yard variance. "So they are proposing a new single family dwelling at 1005 College Street," the staff member said. Staff asked for paint chips and real material samples and said an engineer may review the site for drainage.

A resident and commissioner raised concerns about runoff and neighboring properties. "What is your remedy to you? The culverts? Are you doing them? Make rocks move the water go a certain way or direction or whatever?" the speaker asked, pressing for a remedy to existing water concerns. Staff said they would ask the applicant to return with drainage clarification, a landscape plan and color/material samples: "what I could do is have her request or request that she come in again maybe next PMC and she prepares something in more details with the actual samples." The commission's record shows the presentation was for feedback only and no vote or permit decision was made.

What was requested: commissioners and staff asked the applicant to provide (1) a drainage/engineering review or confirmation that no off-site impacts will result, (2) a site/landscape plan showing trees and planting and (3) paint chips and material samples for review in the Historic Preservation District. The staff presenter also noted that any drainage or building-permit determination would be reviewed by the building official during permit processing.

Next steps: The applicant will return with the requested materials for further commission review; any formal variance requests will be scheduled for a later meeting and subject to the commission's recommendation and city council action where applicable.