Summary

Commission of Architectural Review adopts multiple Certificates of Appropriateness and issues design guidance for new construction

RichmondApr 22, 20254 min read

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Meeting held April 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM; eight commissioners present. Approved a resolution of appreciation for Mitchell W. Danese and elected Commissioner Erik Bootsma as CAR representative to the Urban Design Committee. Approved several COAs (consent and regular agendas) with conditions, partially approved one porch roof replacement, two applications withdrawn, and provided advisory recommendations on multiple conceptual reviews for new and infill housing.

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Commission of Architectural Review

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Housing

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Key decisions

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Approved Resolution of Appreciation for Mitchell W. Danese.
Elected Commissioner Erik Bootsma as CAR representative to the Urban Design Committee.
Approved COA-164401 (2614 East Franklin St) to construct an 8x14 tool shed, conditioned on historically compatible roofing profile and zoning compliance.
Approved COA-163028 (711 N 26th St) to demolish a one-and-one-half-story rear addition, conditioned on simultaneous permit for demolition and new construction and protection of the primary massing.
Approved COA-163025 (711 N 26th St) rear two-story addition, conditioned on horizontal siding with a differing reveal from the primary massing.
Approved COA-164396 (803 N 21st St) rear addition to a multi-family building, conditioned on horizontal lap siding across façades, final material specs, accurate elevations, and screening of visible HVAC units.
Approved COA-162877 (815-821 Mosby St) new three-story multi-family building with conditions requiring site regrading plan, district-appropriate retaining wall materials, screening of parking, and staff approval of final materials (Commissioner Erik Bootsma opposed).
Approved COA-164407 (212-218 N 20th St) new six-unit townhouse buildings, conditioned on removing/replacing opaque brick entrance wall with more transparent material, red brick selection and final color approval, revising third-story window sizes to match, and administrative approval of any changed fencing/screening.
COA-164405 (3104 E Broad St) withdrawn by city staff due to discrepancies in plans.
Partially approved COA-164406 (2716 Monument Ave): approved removal of non-original front porch slate roof; denied standing-seam metal on the front porch and recommended flat-lock metal instead.
COA-164459 (510 W 20th St) withdrawn by the applicant.
Provided advisory recommendations on multiple conceptual reviews: COA-164394 (715 Mosby St) — reduce height, refine façade composition, articulate base/middle/top, better integrate ground-floor commercial and step down massing; COA-164399 (2206 Jefferson Ave) — confirm cornice height, refine porch design; COA-164402 (3021 & 3025 E Franklin St) — simplify porch roof, remove connected cornice-window detail; COA-164398 (1924 Princess Anne Ave) — reduce height to two-and-a-half stories, adjust fenestration, provide lot history and context-sensitive massing.

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Meeting information

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