Summary

Commission of Architectural Review meeting: multiple COAs approved with conditions; several conceptual reviews discussed (Feb 25, 2025)

RichmondFeb 25, 20253 min read

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The Commission of Architectural Review met on February 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Roll call shows eight commissioners present and one absent (Commissioner Larry Nutt). Commissioner Coleen Bulter Rodriguez was elected interim Chair when Chairman Andrew Moore anticipated leaving early. The Consent Agenda was approved. The Commission acted on Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications including approvals with conditions, partial approvals/denials, and several advisory conceptual reviews. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 PM.

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Commission of Architectural Review

Topics discussed

Housing

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Key decisions

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Consent Agenda approved; items moved into Consent included COA-161171 (209 North 28th Street) and COA-161218 (2401 East Broad Street).
COA-161191 (318 North 27th Street): Approved with condition that final material specifications (windows, doors, exterior color) be submitted for administrative review and approval.
COA-161171 (209 North 28th Street): Partially approved — retention of already in-filled south alley window and approval of exterior painting subject to Commission paint guidance and staff approval of colors; denied conversion of other windows to transoms, denied vinyl windows, denied removal of original wooden windows, and denied painting of unpainted masonry.
COA-161218 (2401 East Broad Street): Approved with conditions requiring non-invasive masonry cleaning (no sandblasting), matching repointing mortar, no waterproofing/water-repellent coatings, matching brick veneer on new concrete retaining wall, and repair/repaint/protection of existing fence/railing during construction.
COA-161192 (500 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard): Approved with conditions including use of single tall windows (no transoms) for conservatory enclosure; retention of character-defining features (columns, entablature, brick); non-reflective interior-mounted glass; retention of planters; and submission of a simplified knee board design for staff approval.
COA-161220 (2917 East Broad Street): Partially approved — front metal fence and lighting fixtures approved; proposed rear and side vinyl fencing denied.
COA-161197 (2211 Venable Street): Approved with multiple conditions including rebuilding the front porch roof in-kind (materials, profiles, dimensions, pitch), retention of original brick piers, matching porch location using building evidence, clear non-reflective windows sized to existing openings, new turned posts matching historic proportions (submitted for administrative approval), retention/repair of original features or documented use of Allura fiber cement siding if no salvageable siding exists, and administrative review of final colors and specifications for doors, gutters, and windows.
COA-161195 (806 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard): Outcome unclear in the provided excerpts (motion text and vote information in the minutes are inconsistent).
COA-161219 (2715 East Broad Street): Approved with conditions requiring smooth, unbeaded fiber cement siding (no faux wood grain), submission of final paint color for administrative review, larger undivided-light windows for the rear addition where feasible, pilasters matching existing column width and detailing, and matching the roof form of the existing porch.
Conceptual reviews (advisory) conducted for COA-161196 (815-821 Mosby Street), COA-161194/161193 (711 North 26th Street demolition and addition), and COA-161185 (212-218 North 20th Street). Commissioners provided design guidance including stronger street engagement/entrances, brick introduction, window orientation adjustments, concerns about asymmetrical roof forms, need for additional structural/condition information before approving demolition, and material/maintenance considerations (e.g., stucco).

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