Leesburg Board of Architectural Review Business Meeting

Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA

The Leesburg Board of Architectural Review (BAR) held a business meeting on September 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM. All members were present except JP Andrews. Chair Helen Aikman presided. The meeting covered adoption of the agenda, approval of minutes, member disclosures, consent agenda, and five new cases in the H-1 Old & Historic District. One item was deferred to a work session, one was approved with conditions, one was deferred for further study, and one was approved with modifications. No public comments were received for non-agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• TLHPBR2026-0029 – 2, 4, & 6 West Market Street, Signage: Approved by consent. (Motion by Julie Pastor, second by Rick Brown; vote 6-0-1, JP Andrews absent)
• TLHPBR2026-0031 – 9 West Market Street, Signage: Approved by consent as part of the same motion above.
• TLHPBR2026-0033 – 14 Cornwall Street NW, Security Improvements (St. James Episcopal Church): Approved separately due to member Don Scheuerman’s recusal. (Motion by Julie Pastor, second by Rick Brown; vote 5-0-1, with Scheuerman recused and Andrews absent)
• TLHPBR2026-0036 – 212 Loudoun Street SE, Projecting Sign: Approved by consent.
• TLHPBR2026-0037 – 227 South Street SE, Amend TLHPBR2025-0031: Approved by consent.
• TLHPBR2026-0039 – 1 Loudoun Street SW, Signage: Approved by consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke for non-agenda items.
• For each of the five new cases, the public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony.

Discussion Items

1. TLHPBR2026-0023 – 1221 South King Street, Barn Restoration at Greenway Manor

• Background: The applicant, Andre Fontaine (project manager for the Wigfield family), along with structural engineer Ben Montgomery and contractor Joe Matthews (TMG Construction), proposed deconstruction and reconstruction of the historic barn to convert it into an indoor theater venue. The existing east wall has bowed 5.5 inches since 2017 and is unstable. The plan includes deconstruction of the north, east, and south walls and the southern L, with reuse of an estimated 70% of materials. The west wall and silo would be stabilized in place. Staff recommended a site visit and independent structural review before proceeding. Board members expressed concerns about the extent of deconstruction, the use of brick veneer, preservation of masonry patterns, and assurance that the structure would be rebuilt (demolition-by-neglect history). Chair Aikman noted that the approved COA design would be significantly altered.
• Outcome: The board voted unanimously (6-0-1) to defer the case to the November 2, 2026 work session and extend the critical action date to December 16, 2026. The board also directed staff to hire an independent structural consultant to advise the board. A site visit will be scheduled prior to the work session.

2. TLHPBR2026-0030 – 104 Harrison Street NE, Front Porch Alterations (Retroactive)

• Background: Applicant Tyler Christ (owner) installed a railing with external brackets and replaced porch columns with square posts, contrary to an administrative approval that required internal brackets and no column alterations. The property is a contemporary non-contributing structure (built ca. 2009). The applicant acknowledged the violations and expressed willingness to correct them. Staff proposed allowing the columns to remain with added cap trim (1x8 base and 1x6 cap) and requiring replacement of the railing with a system that has no exposed brackets.
• Outcome: The board approved the alterations retroactively with conditions: (1) install base trim (1x8) and cap trim (1x6) on columns; (2) replace existing railing with a non-exposed-bracket system, subject to staff approval. Motion by Tom O’Neill, second by Julie Pastor; vote 6-0-1.

3. TLHPBR2026-0038 – 18 East Market Street, Loudoun County Courthouse Bollards

• Background: Loudoun County proposed installing 12 bollards along Church Street to match those at the new courthouse across the street (8-inch diameter vs. originally approved 5-inch). Staff expressed concerns about visual impact on the historic courthouse property (a contributing structure and part of a National Historic Landmark). Staff recommended exploring alternative solutions such as planters, low walls, seating walls, or fewer bollards. The county representatives (Marilyn Brouwer, Katie Defoe, Ken Prisby) were open to alternatives.
• Outcome: The board voted (5-1-1, with Julie Pastor recused and JP Andrews absent) to defer the case to the November 2, 2026 work session to allow the county to develop a revised proposal.

4. TLHPBR2026-0041 – 211 North King Street, Exterior Alterations

• Background: The applicant (Michael Patrick, architect, with owner James Phillips) proposed relocation of doors and windows, chimney rebuilding, and replacement of a half-light door with a solid wood panel door. Key changes: Replace a door on the south elevation with a 9-over-6 window, replace two windows on the rear with French doors, and relocate existing historic windows to infill locations. Staff recommended reusing historic windows rather than purchasing new. The applicant agreed to reuse windows and doors where possible.
• Outcome: Approved with conditions: (1) Repair and relocate existing 9-over-6 windows to door infill locations; if irreparable, use Marvin Ultimate wood windows (must coordinate with staff); (2) Replace the half-light door with a historic full-panel wooden door from the property. Motion by Lucas Mason, second by Julie Pastor; vote 6-0-1.

5. TLHPBR2026-0042 – 9 Morven Park Road NW, Gable Shake Shingle Replacement

• Background: Applicant Michael Waters returned after his previous request for faux-cedar shingles was denied. He proposed using a new material made from rice hulls and polymer (painted to match his house). The structure is non-contributing (built ca. 1998). Staff noted the material appeared acceptable for contemporary buildings. The board reviewed a sample and expressed support.
• Outcome: Approved with standard condition that any material changes require a new COA. Motion by Don Scheuerman, second by Tom O’Neill; vote 6-0-1.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 6 items (one separately due to recusal).
• 1221 South King Street: Deferred to November 2 work session; critical action date extended to December 16; independent structural consultant to be hired.
• 104 Harrison Street: Approved retroactively with column trim and railing replacement conditions.
• 18 East Market Street: Deferred to November 2 work session for alternative proposal.
• 211 North King Street: Approved with conditions requiring reuse of historic windows and doors.
• 9 Morven Park Road: Approved for polymer/rice hull shingle replacement.
• Staff Announcements: Preservation awards ceremony scheduled for September 24 at 5 PM at Morven Park; appeal of COA for 7 Royal Street set for Town Council on October 6.
• Old Business: Member Rick Brown raised concern that the BAR is not reviewing undersides of porches when approving alterations, potentially allowing historic features to be obscured. Chair acknowledged the issue and suggested it be discussed at a future work session.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM.