Summary

Commission of Architectural Review approves multiple residential COAs, defers one application, and amends bylaws (Dec. 17, 2024)

RichmondDec 17, 20242 min read

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Meeting called to order at 3:30 PM in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Seven commissioners present, one absent. Commissioners approved May–November 2024 minutes and revisions to the Commission's bylaws. The Commission approved Certificates of Appropriateness for several residential projects (2607, 2609, 2611 East Marshall; 2228 Cedar Street; 2516 East Leigh on the consent agenda) with conditions, continued or deferred several items, and recorded one applicant withdrawal. Meeting adjourned at 6:26 PM.

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Commission of Architectural Review

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Housing

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Key decisions

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Approved May–November 2024 minutes (motion by Commissioner Danese, seconded by Commissioner Nutt).
Approved revisions to the Commission's bylaws (motion by Commissioner Rodriguez, seconded by Commissioner Danese).
Moved Item #8 (COA-158301, 2516 East Leigh Street) to the Consent Agenda and approved it with conditions: final fence must meet zoning requirements and fence design/materials submitted to staff for administrative review and approval.
Approved COA-158347 (2607 East Marshall Street) to construct a two-story semi-attached building, subject to conditions: use window sash configurations common to the district (e.g., one-over-one, two-over-two, six-over-six); submit final window specifications; consider metal roofing for main roof and dormers and submit final roof materials for administrative review; use square or half-round gutters and rounded downspouts; submit fencing design for administrative review.
Approved COA-158351 (2609 East Marshall Street) with the same conditions as COA-158347 (window sash, roof, gutters, fencing, and administrative submissions).
Approved COA-158353 (2611 East Marshall Street) with the same conditions as COA-158347 and COA-158351.
COA-158302 (2609 East Leigh Street) was withdrawn by the applicant (remove deteriorated standing seam metal roof and install asphalt shingle roof).
Consideration of COA-158297 (500 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard – enclose side porch and construct addition): initial motion to approve failed; the Commission voted to defer the application to allow the applicant to provide additional information and a revised conservatory design (including intent/use of porch enclosure, simplified window and base paneling, and location of exterior HVAC equipment on visible elevations). Commissioners expressed hesitancy about enclosing a porch on a primary elevation.
Continued COA-158358 (1809 West Grace Street – reconstruct covered front porch) to the January meeting because the applicant was not present.
Approved COA-158299 (2228 Cedar Street – second-story rear addition) with preservation conditions: retain/repair original/significant features where possible; prioritize preservation or in-kind replacement of engaged front porch column; front porch roofing to reflect flat lock or field-formed standing seam; façade fenestration to be retained; submit replacement/restore doors and siding for administrative approval; retain/reference existing chimney; submit final fence design and exterior trim details to staff for administrative approval.
Partially approved COA-158354 (400 West Clay Street – rehabilitate dwelling): approved multiple staff-recommended items (replacement front porch rail with sawn pickets matching historic photos/neighbors; new or simplified east-stoop rail; new turned or simplified posts; retain/repair cornice or install replicated/simplified cornice; retain/repair original dentil detailing or install historically based/simplified detailing; porch roof material options; retain/repair original doors/windows/transoms; new rear windows two-over-two with SDLs; painting of previously painted brick subject to color approval; new wooden fence, repointing to match original mortar; approval to use red lime wash on unpainted masonry on the eastern side elevation only). The Commission denied painting all unpainted masonry and denied the selected replacement turned posts.
Meeting adjourned at 6:26 PM.

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