Summary

Commission of Architectural Review approves multiple COAs with preservation conditions; one application deferred; conceptual review provided

RichmondJul 22, 20253 min read

At a glance

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The Commission met July 22, 2025 at City Hall (5th Floor Conference Room). Six commissioners were present. The body approved seven Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications with specific material, preservation, and administrative‑review conditions, deferred one window replacement application to allow applicant coordination with Staff and Renewal by Andersen, and provided an advisory conceptual review for alterations and a rear addition at 4204 Hermitage Road. The meeting adjourned at 5:49 p.m.

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Commission of Architectural Review

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Key decisions

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Approved COA-169066 (1212 West Franklin Street) to rehabilitate a rear porch and second‑story sunroom, conditional on approved cladding (wood or fiber cement), wood or aluminum‑clad wood windows with simulated divided lights, retention/repair of exterior historic fabric, and administrative review of final specifications.
Approved COA-169014 (2228 Cedar Street) to demolish an existing building and construct two new single‑family attached buildings; approval noted as demonstrating a new technology that should not be construed as precedent and required compliance with R‑6 zoning.
Approved COA-165913 (1201 West Franklin Street) to install a digital display board on an integrated masonry wall of a historic church, with the same caveat that the new technology not set precedent and that R‑6 zoning requirements be met.
Approved COA-169005 (17 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard) to construct a new masonry and stone front porch, with conditions on materials, final color/specification review, preservation of historic fabric, and staff review of final details.
Approved COA-169071 (3104 East Broad Street) to rehabilitate the building and construct a rear addition, with conditions to retain/repair crown molding, dentils, mansard roof and slate, conserve stained glass, use lime‑based repointing, and submit materials for staff approval.
Deferred COA-169009 (620 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard) — replacement of 11 windows and a storm door — to allow the applicant additional time to work with Staff and Renewal by Andersen on replacement solutions.
Approved COA-169126 (2114 M Street) to rehabilitate a single‑family building and construct additions, subject to conditions on foundation protections, salvaging/reusing original siding, permitted materials on secondary elevations, porch reconstruction using original elements where feasible, window and roofing specifications, rear additions, fencing complying with zoning, and staff review of final colors/materials.
Provided advisory/conceptual review for ID.2017.465 / COA-169086 (4204 Hermitage Road); the Commission found proposed alterations and the rear addition compatible, supported expressing the building’s new religious function while retaining Richmond architectural characteristics, and discussed reversibility versus permanence of alterations.

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