Title
78 Aurora Street (Historic District)
Addition (Kitchen, Laundry Room, Elevator & Garage)
Submitted by Rebecca Pantuso, Pantuso Architecture
a) Revise submitted survey to depict proposed grading changes and impervious surface calculations.
b) The applicant received approval for the proposed addition at the May 28, 2025 meeting.
c) The applicant is proposing a revised design that includes the demolition of the existing garage and revised overall massing.
d) Staff consulted the Secretary of Interior Standards of Rehabilitation, Preservation Brief #14, and the previous consultant review to provide these comments.
e) Staff notes the applicant has removed the previously proposed pyramid roof form that was deemed inappropriate by the city’s consultant.
f) Staff notes the redesign creates a better visual distinction between the addition and historic mass by further lowering the roof height of the addition.
g) Question the removal/rebuild of the existing garage. The Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation state that the historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
h) If rebuilding the garage is considered, suggest tile roofing to match the house as the garage would now be an attached mass.
i) Suggest utilizing a different wall material such as a wood panel for the garage connector on the left elevation.
j) Suggest wood siding in lieu of the proposal boral siding as a portion of the addition would replace the existing addition that wraps around the historic main mass on the left side elevation.
k) Staff notes sidelites are proposed to be introduced to the front door. The existing door trim design should be retained on the historic main mass.
l) Submit product specification sheets for the proposed garage doors.
m) Question the proposed window design for the garage and their compatibility to the main house. Staff notes recessed panels are proposed; however, should be revised to window openings as Section III-1(g)(8) states fenestration placement should be at a maximum of approximately every 12 feet.
n) The AHBR may wish to request assistance from the city’s consultant in determining the appropriateness of the proposed work.