Historic Preservation Board Meeting Approves First Lutheran Church Addition and Consent Calendar Items - May 5, 2026
Historic Preservation Board Meeting – May 5, 2026
The Carter Springs Historic Preservation Board met on May 5, 2026, at 11:45 AM with four of seven members present: Chair Music, Board Member Baumgartner, Board Member Heinz, and Board Member Fitzsimmons. Board Members Lowenberg and Potter were absent; Board Member Bierbaum’s attendance was not recorded. The board approved a consent calendar item and a report of acceptability for a new entryway addition to First Lutheran Church after hearing public comments and discussion.
Consent Calendar
- Item 5A – 1721 North Testgate Avenue, garage glass ADU conversion: Approved unanimously by roll call vote (Chair Music, Baumgartner, Heinz, Fitzsimmons all aye). No items were pulled from the consent calendar.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sheila McWill (22 East Caramelo, neighbor across from the church) asked about the purpose of the addition, construction timeline, and parking impacts during construction. The applicant (Bruce, representing the church) explained the addition is a narthex (vestibule) expansion to relieve crowding, not an increase in sanctuary seating; construction is estimated at 10–12 months, with a contractor already selected, and parking spaces will be preserved during work hours.
- Bob McWill (husband, neighbor) noted prior construction impacts and expressed concern about parking, but acknowledged it is a longstanding issue. He asked about the start date, which was given as fall 2026.
- Patty Chase (1721 North Cascade, neighbor two blocks away) asked about the interior height of the entryway and the loss of the bell tower. The applicant confirmed the new entry will be a single-story volume with a tall interior, and the bell tower will be removed due to structural impracticality. Landscaping plans were described as abundant, with roses and new trees, and a professional landscape firm will prepare a final plan.
Discussion Items
- Item 8A – HIST-26-0003, First Lutheran Church Entryway Addition (1515 North Cascade Avenue): Staff presented a report of acceptability for a 2,795-square-foot front entry addition on the west elevation of the church. The church is a mid-century modern building originally constructed in 1966, with additions in the 1970s and 1990s. The proposed addition is designed to be compatible with the original 1966 architecture (low-slope roofs, broad overhangs, matching red brick, and a central glass feature) and respects the North End Historic District’s character of large front yards and tree-lined streets. The applicant (Bruce) emphasized that the design was refined over a year to respect the historic context while creating a welcoming entrance. Board members praised the design for adhering to the original mid-century modern style rather than the later boxy additions. One board member asked about the church’s rebranding after the bell tower removal; the applicant noted a cross-form with stained glass will be integrated into the brick facade.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of First Lutheran Church Addition: The board voted unanimously (4–0) to approve the report of acceptability for the entryway addition, finding it meets the criteria in City Code Section 7.5.28 and the North End Design Standards.
- Appeal Instructions: Any affected party may appeal to the City Council within 10 days (by Friday, May 15, 2026) by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk and paying a $176 fee. The appeal must address specific code requirements.
- Agenda Changes: The board moved items 3 (communications), 4 (approval of minutes), and the 2026 survey work plan presentation to the June meeting due to scheduling confusion.
- Meeting Adjourned at the conclusion of the new business item.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the Carter Springs Historic Preservation Board meeting for May 5th, 2026. The Historic Preservation Board is comprised of seven members appointed by City Council to administer the historic preservation code. Historic preservation board members are community volunteers with expertise across a wide variety of disciplines. Each member acts independently, carefully assessing all the evidence presented to make their decision. So we can ask Solange to do the roll call. Okay, could you do the roll call? Board member Lowenberg. Absent Chair Music. Present. Board Member Baumgartner. Present. Board Member Bierbaum. Board Member Heinz. Present. Board Member Fitziness. Here. Board Member Potter. She is absent also today. Thank you. We have four members present. All right. I could do the changes to the agenda. Great. Are there changes to the agenda? Bill. I'm gonna say yes, we're gonna make a couple changes to the agenda. I would make like to make an announcement first. I just want to thank our applicants. Um Patty Chase and Food First Lutheran Church for uh being flexible with the uh this meeting. Um we had some confusion with the date as to when it was going to uh to take place. The poster said one thing, the uh agenda said something else, and it was an error in the uh poster and postcards that were sent out. So um if anyone really wants to know, our historic preservation board does meet on the um first Monday of the month, not the first Tuesday of the month. Um but uh um their um dedicated uh staff member um could not get his days uh correct, didn't know the difference between the fourth and the fifth. So anyhow, I really appreciate our applicants and then also for our board members for um accommodating us so we could make sure that these two applications could be heard in the month of May and not have to delay them until um June. So because of that, we um are going to move on item uh three communications, the approval of minutes agenda item four, and also our last agenda item presentations and updates on the 2026 um survey work plan discussion. We are going to move all of those items uh to the June Historic Preservation Board meeting. Um all other um agenda items um which are listed in your consent in the business school statement, and that is all I have. Thanks, Bill. Um so items on the consent calendar will be acted upon as a poll without further public comment unless a specific item is called up for discussion. Any items called off will be heard immediately after the rest of the consent calendar is decided on. Solange, would you please read the item into the record? Item 5A, HISD-2C002, 1721 North Testgate Avenue, garage glass ADU conversion. Is there any commissioner who would like to pull an item the item from the consent calendar? Anyone online? All right, is there any city staff member who would like to pull an item? No. Is there any citizen in the audience wishing to pull an item from the consent calendar? The only item on consent is 1721 North Cascade. Any citizen um okay. Anyone on the phone wishing to pull an item from consent?
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