The agenda for the Tuesday, September 23, 2014 meeting of the Commission of Architectural Review includes a number of local projects, including an unusually high number of new buildings:
- 2314 VENABLE ST – Replace front concrete walkway with
stamped concrete - 2104-2106 CEDAR ST – Construct new duplex
- 868 JESSAMINE ST – Replace front porch and construct new rear addition
- 611-613 N 21ST ST – Construct two attached duplexes
- 807 N 23RD ST – Construct new duplex
- 2401 E BROAD ST – Rehabilitate roof of church and parish hall
- 2406 VENABLE ST – Replace siding, repair windows, replace windows, restore porch columns
- 2305 VENABLE ST – Rehabilitate front porch, construct new deck, repair windows, install new window sashes, construct new parking area and privacy fence
- 718-720 N 27TH ST – Construct new single-family house
- 611 E BROAD ST – Replace existing wooden fence with brick wall
- 912 – 2912 1/2 E LEIGH ST – Construct new single-family house
15 comments
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I am just glad to see that CAR finally gets it concerning new construction designs. Looking good!
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CAR is a menace to good design. You only have to look at the recent duplex at 21st & Broad to see the results. To be fair they’re only confirming to a national trend favoring new buildings to be differentiated from historical ones. How ironic that the very purpose of historic districts has been subverted by requiring buildings not to fit in. It is very hard to argue now that it isn’t simply a matter of taste that no one other than the propery owner has a right to meddle in. Don’t even get me going on how taxpayers now subsidize retaining properties- such as the Nolde Bakery- that would never be approved under current guidelines.
Keith, the CAR is restricted to guidelines put to them by the government for historic structures and neighborhoods which restricts size, materials, and design.
In years past there were certain members on the CAR board who were very influential as well as resistant to follow those guidelines which ended up with buildings like that at 21st and Broad being passed. Also the announcements of new structures were not very forthcoming and sometimes the public were not even aware of their existence until after construction had already started. Then there was the whole “false historicism” debacle a couple of years ago.
Catherine Easterling is the person in charge now who has the say so about design approvals and she has been doing a great job lately approving designs that “fit in” like they should.
Also to add that the “public” needs to be proactive about what and what isn’t approved. If you see a sign going up, hear rumors, get notices in the mail, or read local blogs and notice there are proposals for a building that you don’t like, don’t just sit on your ass and take a “wait and see” approach because what you see may not be what you like and will be too late.
@3 Eric, Catherine Easterling is no longer with the city.
crd… sad to know that. She was my main contact and emailed he only a couple weeks back it seems? Who took her place making the approval decisions?
Back in July when talking about another property she said to me:
“As CAR staff, permits are routed up to me so that I can ensure that the plans are compliant with all CAR approvals. “
@6 Eric, she she left around the end of August. I think her replacement is William Palmquist, but am not absolutely sure, you might want to check with their admin. Tara Ross.
@crd, thanks. I know at one time Jim Hill was in charge but he and I had differences of opinions and would not answer my emails. Think Mary Harding Sadler was chair at one time too but she is nit there now. Thought these positions were voted in by City Council?
John, where are the plans for the properties shown in the thread banner?
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