Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 24, 2026

The Historic Preservation Commission met on June 24, 2026 at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission approved two Certificates of Appropriateness and welcomed new member Kristen Cole, a fifth-generation Delaware resident and historic homeowner appointed by City Council on June 22.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Motion Summary (May 28, 2026): Approved with a roll call vote: Commissioners Fagan and Cole abstained; Smiles, Crognow, Watts, Ryder, and Chair Vierra voted yes.

Discussion Items

1. Certificate of Appropriateness 2026-1932 – 4 North Sandusky Street (Steve Hartman, applicant)

• Request: Install eight new aluminum-clad wood double-hung windows on the south elevation to activate second and third floors. Proposed windows are from the Pella Reserve Traditional collection in "Blue Ash" (gray-blue), with sandstone lintels and sills sourced from historic material.
• Staff Presentation: Staff (Anna) noted the building (mid-1800s, contributing to National Register Historic District) is undergoing facade improvements. New windows would replace boarded-up openings from the 1920s. Staff acknowledged the windows would partially obscure a faded historic ghost sign but recommended approval because the sign is not original to the building, the windows benefit upper-floor activation, and the design matches the front facade and is compatible with downtown architecture. Staff cited Secretary of the Interior Standard #9.
• Applicant Presentation: Mr. Hartman described plans for open floor plans, egress, a balcony, and the need for light. He emphasized sourcing vintage materials and a 50-year preservation plan. He clarified that window placement may shift slightly to accommodate interior layout (kitchen, stairwell).
• Commission Questions: Discussion included alignment with front windows, height of third-floor windows (9 ft vs. 8 ft max from Pella spec), safety concerns with low sills, and the precedent of removing ghost signs. Staff clarified that the ghost sign is not original and that the benefits outweigh the loss. The commission noted that the window layout is not perfectly symmetrical but is historically typical. The applicant indicated willingness to use 8 ft windows if required.
• Outcome: The commission voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the certificate with the standard condition that any modifications require administrative review.

2. Certificate of Appropriateness 2026-1934 – 25 West Winter Street (Denise Dunlap, applicant, represented by contractor)

• Request: Replace damaged wood siding on the front facade with fiber cement siding matching the existing 5.5-inch smooth finish siding installed on side elevations in 2012, and paint the entire front facade Arctic white (current color).
• Staff Presentation: The building (c. 1842, former church, now Beanbag Books) is in the transitional subdistrict. Staff noted that fiber cement has been previously permitted as a durable alternative to wood, and the paint color meets non-garish requirements. Staff recommended approval with four conditions: standard revision condition, smooth finish fiber cement, siding to match existing dimensions, and a right-of-way permit for installation.
• Commission Discussion: The application was seen as straightforward. Commissioner Cole shared a personal connection (her mother owned the building in the 1960s).
• Outcome: The commission voted unanimously (7-0) to approve with all four conditions.

Staff Comments

• Architectural Standards Update: Staff reported that a consultant-led survey is being distributed to commissioners and the public. The update aims to address more complex upper-floor renovations downtown.

Next Meeting

• July 22, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:21 PM.