Historic Review Board approves louvers, ventilation changes for Waverly pool house (Z0126-26)

Paul Edgar, chair of the Historic Review Board, said the board voted to approve staff recommendations for land use file Z0126-26 — the Waverly pool-house revisions — after members weighed privacy, safety and historic character.

The board’s decision centers on replacing previously proposed glass windows on the pool-house northern elevation with louvered openings. Staff told the board the applicant removed glass from that elevation to address privacy and stray golf-ball concerns and proposed louvers to provide mechanical ventilation for a pool equipment room without rooftop fans.

“Being a woman in a dressing room, the last thing I want is a golf ball coming through some glass,” said Pam Kirklow, treasurer of the Westland Historical Society, who voiced support for the louvered openings on safety and privacy grounds. Architects for the project described the louvers as non-glazed openings intended to allow equipment ventilation while preserving the building’s overall material palette and massing.

Matt Bray, principal in charge with QbD Architects, summarized the applicants’ view of the revisions: “We just wanted to revisit the original design… we feel like it still honors again, the depth, the character, the articulation that was originally presented.” Board members said the revised elevations largely echo the earlier approval from December while addressing operational needs.

The applicants also proposed removing an exterior lattice element cited as a maintenance concern and shortening or relocating select columns and stairs; the board indicated no objection to those adjustments. Staff said the louvers were chosen in part to avoid rooftop ventilators that the applicants described as visually out of place.

Chair Edgar called for a vote after the discussion; board members signaled support verbally and by hand/thumb indicators, and Edgar announced the board had approved the recommendations. No roll-call tally or formal mover/second was recorded in the discussion transcript; staff indicated they will issue the written decision next week.

In other business, staff said an application for designation of the Carys Schoolhouse as a historic landmark is under review for completeness and may be scheduled for the June meeting. The board moved to adjourn following brief closing remarks.