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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-2023 302 Staff Report FinalSTAFF REPORT HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION COA APPLICATION INFORMATION ADDRESS 302 N. 7th Street CASE NO. COA2023-0013 OWNER David & Sandra Guess APPLICANT David & Sandra Guess REQUEST Exterior changes to conceal and remove from sight multiple ground level air units and wiring. Add hand railing to front porch. GENERAL SITE INFORMATION CURRENT ZONING H-2 CURRENT LAND USE Neighborhood Conservation PUBLIC UTILITIES Power, gas, water PUBLIC SERVICES Storm sewer, Paducah Fire, Paducah Police SURROUNDING AREA INFORMATION SURROUNDING ZONING SURROUNDING LAND USE NORTH H-2 Neighborhood Conservation SOUTH H-2 Neighborhood Conservation EAST H-2 Neighborhood Conservation WEST B-3 Commercial Vicinity Map Zone Map Front facing 7th Street Side Facing Monroe BACKGROUND INFORMATION 302 N. 7th Street is operated as a rental property by David & Sandra Guess. Previously, several mini-split air conditioning units and their respective wiring/line sets were installed on the exterior of the building. These exterior changes were made without HARC approval and without the issuing of a Certificate of Appropriateness. In response the Planning Department Staff issued a violation notice dated August 4th, 2023 informing the owners of the issue and stated the requirements set in Sec. 126- 115 (g) for visible exterior changes to a structure in the H-2 Zone to be approved by the HARC with a Certificate of Appropriateness. Later at the next HARC meeting on August 14th, 2023 the violation was heard and findings of fact were determined. These findings of fact defined how the exterior work was in violation of the City of Paducah Code of Ordinances Section 126-115 (c) (1-6) and included direction to correct the defects, specifically the relocation or removal of the visible air units and their related materials. These findings of fact were detailed in a corresponding letter by the HARC Chairman dated September 5th, 2023 and again sent to the property owners David & Sandra Guess. In total there are five visible air units placed at the property. With the property sitting on a corner lot the air units are visible from both 7th Street and Monroe. Two additional units are not visible as they are placed behind a gate on the side of the property between the neighboring house. Two more units are planned to be placed on the far rear of the roof, also out of sight of any roadway. As of current there are seven operating external air units at the property with a final total of nine after the proposed final two are placed on the roof. The locations of the mini-split units are marked in the photo below. The five visible ground level units are in blue, the two non-visible units are in green, and the proposed final two units are in red. PROJECT OVERVIEW The Applicant requests a Certificate of Appropriateness to have nine total mini-split air units located on the exterior of the property; five placed on the ground level and street facing exteriors and four placed out of sight both between the houses and on the rear/roof. Additionally, they request a new second handrail be placed along the front steps. The Applicants request these specific changes made regarding the existing air units: • Paint the five visible mini-split units to match the color of the brick. • Enclose the hide-a-lines along the façade of the building and paint them to match the color of the brick. • Add additional shrubbery along the perimeter of the house to conceal the five mini-split units. The second handrail is to be placed on the left side of the steps. It will be made of metal and be designed to match the current rail. STAFF ANALYSIS Per the HARC’s previous determination and findings of fact the prescribed action to bring the property into compliance was for the removal of all mini-split air units and all related materials from each street facing façade and relocate them to a non-visible location on the property. Additionally, the changes proposed by the applicant still do not fit the requirements of H-2 Design Guidelines. As stated in the guidelines all external utility systems should be installed in locations where they will not be visible from the street. Though not a physical removal the applicant’s proposal to screen and camouflage the already placed mini-split units/line sets is a notable effort to eliminate their sight from the roadways of both 7th Street and Madison. However, further work to consider possible relocation of the units should be made by the applicant first before any proposals for the already placed units or screening are approved. Regarding the railing there are no conflicting elements within the Design Guidelines as it works to match the existing handrail. Approval for it is recommended. RECOMMENDED MOTIONS Staff recommends the following motion: I move that this Commission Approve the Certificate of Appropriateness request of David and Sandra Guess for a new handrail at 302 N. 7th Street. I further move that the approval be based on the following findings of fact • The proposed handrail is complimentary to the existing rail and thereby in compliance with the H-2 Lowertown Design Standards.