Commission denies several after‑the‑fact exterior changes at 213 Leonard Place

The Historic Zoning Commission reviewed an after‑the‑fact application for 213 Leonard Place (case 3A24HZ), a house approved in June 2023 that was built with several elements that differ from the previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness.

Staff reported that the installed siding is a fog‑grain textured fiber‑cement lap product with a wide exposure, whereas the approved elevation called for a smooth finish fiber‑cement lap siding with a 4–5 inch exposure. The front door installed is an opaque two‑panel wood door rather than the approved quarter‑light door. The applicant also installed square 8x8 posts instead of the previously approved tapered wood posts on brick piers, and the porch foundation was not clad in brick veneer as required by the prior COA.

Applicant Jose Martinez said he accepted some corrections (windows are on order to be replaced with aluminum‑wood clad units) and asked the commission to consider neighborhood context; he said some nearby homes have wood‑grain siding. Neighborhood representative Sean Bolan told the commission the neighborhood supports enforcement of prior conditions and is opposed to the faux‑grain siding and omission of brick facing.

Commissioner Tillman moved, per staff recommendation, to deny the installed fog‑grain lap siding, the installed door, the installed vinyl windows, and the installed 8x8 square posts and to require conformance with the previously approved COA; the motion was seconded and passed. Staff recorded approval of the rear dormer modification where it was consistent with prior approvals.

Next steps: the applicant must bring the property into conformance with the prior COA (smooth‑finish lap siding with 4–5 inch exposure, an approved door design or replacement that reflects the previously approved quarter‑light design, brick‑clad porch foundation and appropriate tapered posts) or return with a new application for altered materials.