Historic commission approves two residential COAs, subject to paint and finish details

The Abita Springs Historic Commission approved two certificates of appropriateness on July 14 for residential projects: a new four-bedroom single-family house at the corner of Level and Cypress and a single-story addition at Bookhalls on Lehi Street. Approvals were subject to confirmation of paint colors and clarification of certain railing and step details.

For the Level and Cypress project, the presenter described a two-story cottage-style house with a mother-in-law suite and a clarified porch design to ensure the required five-foot clearance. Staff ran through a detailed checklist — foundations, piers, roof pitch (corrugated metal, 11.5 on 12 with a low-slope portion at 3 on 12), chimney and porch details — and commissioners voted to approve the project, reserving final confirmation of paint colors and any step changes.

On Lehi Street, the applicant proposed a single-story addition to expand bedrooms and kitchen space while minimizing visible changes from the street. The commission reviewed crawl-space height, matching corrugated metal roofing and retention of the existing porch and columns. Commissioners approved the application, requiring final paint-color choices to be submitted later.

Both motions passed by voice vote. Staff and commissioners emphasized that exterior trim or material changes discovered during construction should be communicated to staff; one motion included a condition that railing material and assembly for a ramp be clarified to match the existing porch it connects to.

Next steps: applicants will submit final paint-color selections and any revised stair/railing details for staff review to close the outstanding conditions.