Title
Public Hearing - Certificate of Appropriateness - Appeal of Historic Preservation Commission's Decision on Certificate of Appropriateness Application HPCA 2200311 - 711 West Glenrosa Avenue in the Woodlea Historic District
Description
Request to hold a public hearing on a Certificate of Appropriateness decision by the Historic Preservation (HP) Commission on Certificate of Appropriateness Application HPCA 2200311. The application seeks approval to construct a 96-square-feet addition to the front of the attached garage, convert the garage to living space, and replace the roof structure on the garage and damaged part of the house at 711 W. Glenrosa Ave. in the Woodlea Historic District. Requested City Council action is to uphold, reverse or modify the HP Commission's decision.
Report
Summary
On March 1, 2023, the HP Hearing Officer held a public hearing to review this application, which was filed by Patrick Hallman of C & H Associates LLC on behalf of the property owner, Janice Ashford. The hearing officer approved the Certificate of Appropriateness subject to the following stipulations:
1. That the existing height and 4:12 roof pitch of staggered inset gable roof above the garage be preserved and be repaired in kind;
2. That the existing front façade of the garage not be altered to project forward, and if the footprint needs to be expanded, that an addition to the south or east be considered instead;
3. That the siding be repaired or replaced in kind or use a smooth fiber cement siding that matches the width of the existing siding boards;
4. That the proposed faux-garage door use a simplified design or be infilled with a window and siding;
5. That the new vent on the east façade of the remodeled garage match the existing square vent; and
6. That the existing floor plan be revised to accurately depict the bathroom and all documents be reviewed for accuracy.
The Hearing Officer’s decision was appealed by Mr. Hallman on March 2, 2023, who cited concerns from the owner regarding the first two stipulations. The HP Commission heard the appeal on April 17, 2023, and voted 7-1 to uphold the decision of the hearing officer.
The HP Commission's decision was appealed on April 24, 2023, by Mr. Hallman on behalf of the property owner.
The City of Phoenix General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties discourage making additions or changes to primary facades. They further specify that additions should be designed and located in a manner that is subordinate to the historic building. To this end, the Guidelines provide multiple examples of appropriate additions at the rear of a building, as well as one example of an appropriate addition at the side of a building, but no examples are provided of front additions, since they are considered inappropriate. The Guidelines also state that original building features, particularly those that help give the building its historic character, should be preserved and restored. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, which are the national standards for the repair and alteration of historic properties, echo these same principles.
Staff finds that the addition on the front facade would not meet either the city or national standards. Although the addition would have a small footprint, it would project in front of the existing house, creating a highly visible intrusion. Furthermore, the proposed alteration to the roof would also be contrary to the standards, as the staggered inset gable roof over the existing garage is symmetrical with the opposite end of the roof. While the roof does need to be repaired, modifying its appearance would impact the balance of the design and adversely affect the home's historic integrity.
The property is currently classified as a contributor to the Woodlea Historic District. The State Historic Preservation Office has expressed support for the hearing officer's decision and stated that the property could be reclassified as a noncontributor if the application were to be approved without the stipulations.
Staff recommends that the City Council uphold the HP Commission's April 17, 2023, decision to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness subject to the six stipulations noted above.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the city.
Concurrence/Previous Action
- The HP Hearing Officer approved the Certificate of Appropriateness application on March 1, 2023, subject to six stipulations.
- The property owner's representative, Patrick Hallman, appealed the hearing officer's decision on March 2, 2023.
- The HP Commission voted 7-1 on April 17, 2023, to uphold the hearing officer's decision.
- The property owner's representative, Patrick Hallman, appealed the HP Commission's decision on April 24, 2023.
Location
711 W. Glenrosa Ave.
Council District: 4
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.