Title
Public Hearing - Certificate of Appropriateness - Appeal of Historic Preservation Commission's Decision on Certificate of Appropriateness Application HPCA 2100572 - 89 W. Lewis Ave. in the Willo Historic District
Description
Request to hold a public hearing on a decision by the Historic Preservation (HP) Commission on a Certificate of Appropriateness Application HPCA 2100572 for 89 W. Lewis Ave. in the Willo Historic District. The application seeks approval to demolish an existing porch over the front door and construct a new 146-square-foot porch along the front facade of the 1,078 square foot single-family dwelling, which is classified as a contributor to the Willo Historic District. Requested City Council action is to uphold, reverse or modify the HP Commission’s Certificate of Appropriateness decision.
Report
Summary
In December 2021 there was a report of a front porch being constructed at the property without a permit. The dwelling historically had a 16-square-foot shed roof overhang, supported by a brace, which created a covered entry over the front door.
On March 29, 2022, the HP Hearing Officer held a public hearing to review this application, which was filed by property owner Netanel Harat. The application was to allow the demolition of the existing porch over the front door and construction of a new 146-square-foot porch along the front facade (after-the-fact). The hearing officer denied the application as filed but approved the removal of the non-permitted 146-square-foot porch and reconstruction of the original 16-square-foot front porch.
The Hearing Officer's decision was appealed by the owner, Netanel Harat, on April 1, 2022. The HP Commission heard the appeal on April 18, 2022. The Commission voted 6-1, with one recusal, to uphold the decision of the hearing officer.
The city of Phoenix General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties discourage additions or changes to primary facades as well as making changes to character-defining features. In the case of the subject property, the dwelling was designed with a small, covered entry, a character-defining feature of early/transitional Ranch style houses.
Staff recommends that the City Council uphold the HP Commission's April 18, 2022, decision to deny the application as filed but approve the removal of the non-permitted 146-square-foot porch and reconstruction of the original 16-square-foot front porch.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the city.
Concurrence/Previous Action
The HP Hearing Officer denied the Certificate of Appropriateness application, as filed, on March 29, 2022, but approved the removal of the non-permitted 146-square-foot porch and reconstruction of the original 16-square-foot front porch.
The property owner Netanel Harat appealed the Hearing Officer's decision on April 1, 2022.
The HP Commission voted 6-1, with one recusal, on April 18, 2022, to uphold the hearing officer's decision.
Property owner Netanel Harat appealed the HP Commission's decision on April 25, 2022.
Location
89 W. Lewis Ave.
Council District: 4
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.