Summary

Commission of Architectural Review approves multiple COAs, recommends NRHP updates (May 27, 2025)

RichmondMay 27, 20253 min read

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The City of Richmond Commission of Architectural Review met May 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. Six commissioners were present and two absent. The Commission recommended approval of two National Register actions, approved several Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) with conditions (including new construction, additions, fences, windows, and a bike shed), partially approved a roof replacement (denying asphalt shingles), deferred applications for a storefront replacement and a digital display board on a historic church, and provided advisory comments on a conceptual review for new attached dwellings. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.

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Tobacco Row NR Expansion

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Commission of Architectural Review

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Key decisions

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Recommended approval of Shockoe Valley and Tobacco Row National Register Historic District expansion (motion by Commissioner Rodriguez; carried 4 Aye, 2 Excused).
Recommended approval of Main Street Banking District National Register boundary decrease and update (carried 6 Aye).
Moved item 603.5 N 23rd Street to the Consent Agenda and approved the adjusted Consent Agenda (final vote: 5 Aye, 1 Recused, 2 Absent).
Approved COA-165909 (401 Chimborazo Blvd) to demolish a non-contributing one-story structure, with conditions to protect adjacent historic structures.
Approved COA-165910 (601 N 23rd St) to extend a rear porch and construct a pergola, conditioned on confirming pergola height, final paint colors, and no adverse drainage/foundation impacts.
Approved COA-165915 (1333 E Cary St) for a concrete patio and expanded window entrance, requiring minimal disturbance to historic material and protection of historic features.
Approved COA-165911 (603.5 N 23rd St) to construct a new bike shed as submitted.
Approved COA-166438 (2206 Jefferson Ave) to construct a two-story single-family dwelling, conditioned on maintaining proposed height and providing additional porch elevation/section details.
Approved COA-166144 (3021-3023 E Franklin St) for two attached dwellings, conditioned on final material/color selections for siding and porch detailing aligned with district precedents.
Partially approved COA-164459 (510 W 20th St): approved standing seam metal for front porch roof; denied replacement of main standing seam metal roof with asphalt shingles (found inconsistent with Old and Historic District Guidelines).
Approved COA-166150 (3422 E Broad St) for rear fence, chiminea, and window replacements with conditions including wood fence framing, stain color review, chimney brick treatment, repair-first approach to original siding, and specified replacement window type/size.
Deferred COA-166151 (3301 E Marshall St) to allow development of a storefront design with additional moldings/trim and a rendering/drawing.
Deferred COA-165913 (1201 W Franklin St) for a digital display board on a historic church masonry wall to explore non-illuminated or alternative technologies (e.g., E-Ink); one commissioner recused from the vote.
Approved COA-166143 (2625 Monument Ave) to replace a slate roof on a side porch with copper, conditioned that the new copper roof feature flat-lock seams.
Approved COA-166145 (3118 E Broad St) to replace fourteen non-original windows with composite wood windows, with conditions to preserve opening widths and accept one kitchen casement window not visible from the right-of-way.
Approved COA-165908 (15 W Leigh St) for a two-story rear addition with multiple conditions for porch appearance, window materials, siding options, color approvals, HVAC screening, and preservation of extant masonry and architectural features.
Provided advisory comments on conceptual COA-166142 (2228 Cedar St) for demolition and construction of two new attached dwellings; overall support with suggestions to revise east elevation roof profile and reduce rear third-story massing.

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