OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - April 15, 2026

City Council & Boards — Wednesday, April 15, 2026
BodyNew Albany, Indiana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateWednesday, April 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 53:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Really?

0:03

We're hanging in there.

0:06

Is enrollment though?

0:07

Great.

0:08

No, it's not.

0:09

Really?

0:10

It hasn't been.

0:14

Sort of.

0:18

Okay.

0:18

It is 7 p.m., so we will call this meeting of the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission meeting to order and begin by reading the introductory statement.

0:27

The Historic Preservation Commission is charged with protecting the character of New Albany's historic districts by reviewing proposed exterior changes to buildings within the districts.

0:36

The Commission does this by issuing a certificate of appropriateness or COA for work that it finds will not adversely affect the historic or architectural character of the district.

0:44

All certificate of appropriateness applications are sent to the commission members approximately one week prior to the regular monthly meeting, allowing time for site visits when necessary.

0:54

The commission administrator prepares a staff report that is read aloud during the application review.

0:59

After a period of discussion with the applicant, time will be allotted for public input.

1:03

Public comments should be limited to five minutes or less.

1:06

After comments in, there will be two votes by the commission.

1:09

The first is to find as fact that the proposed work is or is not compatible within the historic district.

1:14

The second vote is to approve or deny the work request.

1:18

After all applications are reviewed, the commission will entertain comments from the general public, and we ask that all comments be limited to five minutes or less.

1:25

Or can we have a roll call, please?

1:27

Uh Colt Sanders?

1:29

Here.

1:29

Kate Erliner here.

1:31

Matt Bergman.

1:32

Here.

1:32

Tiffany Carbano, here.

1:34

Or Lena Mainfield here.

1:35

Jacob Rush.

1:37

Jim Spriggler.

1:38

Here.

1:38

Ex officio member Scott Wood.

1:41

Administrator Laura Renwick, I'm here and we have a quorum.

1:45

All right.

1:48

Approval of the agenda.

1:50

Are there any changes to the agenda?

1:52

Or a motion to approve the agenda as presented.

1:56

I still move to approve the agenda as presented.

1:59

Second.

2:00

Second.

2:01

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:03

Aye.

2:04

Aye.

2:05

Approval of the March meeting minutes.

2:07

Are there any changes to the meeting minutes or a motion to approve the minutes that's presented?

2:14

I move to approve the meeting minutes from March as presented.

2:19

Second.

2:21

Second.

2:22

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:24

I financial report update.

2:28

Do you not have a new one?

2:29

I'll get one for next meeting.

2:32

Okay.

2:32

So moving on to certificate of appropriateness applications.

2:36

We have resilience properties at 26th East Third Street.

2:42

You would step up to the podium and state your name, and we'll read the staff comments on the project.

2:49

Chad McCormick.

2:54

Thank you.

3:03

Staff comments.

3:05

The building in question is located at the foot of 3rd Street, immediately adjacent to the Mont South Freedom Trail connector to the gateway.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████84%
Procedural██████12%
Personnel Matters██4%
Summary of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - April 15, 2026

The New Albany Historic Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting addressed routine approvals, a Certificate of Appropriateness application for window replacement at a historic commercial building, enforcement updates, progress on the DePauw Avenue Conservation District and potential new designations, and the annual Facelift Awards process.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Agenda: Unanimously approved as presented.
  • Approval of March Meeting Minutes: Unanimously approved as presented.
  • Financial Report: Held for next meeting (no new report provided).
  • Staff-Approved Certificate of Appropriateness Applications: The following applications were approved by staff and noted by the commission:
    • Resilience Properties (26 E. 3rd) – repair leaning masonry at southwest corner and repoint (discussed further under window application).
    • Statewide Mortgage (203-205 E. Market) – replace existing full-light metal front doors in kind.
    • Carbonneau (816 Cedar Bough) – re-roof house and garage.
    • Bowling (321 E. 9th) – replace rear wood privacy fence in kind; replace damaged siding and wooden sills on rear of house in kind.
    • Lifespring Health Systems (904 E. Spring) – replace rear wooden privacy fence, wooden ramp, and concrete walks and concrete curbing, all in kind.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public offered testimony during the Hearing of Visitors. One attendee indicated they were just observing.

Discussion Items

  • Certificate of Appropriateness – Resilience Properties (26 E. 3rd Street): Applicant Chad McCormick proposed replacing all windows with new composite or clad-wood windows to unify the building's appearance after partial window replacements and deterioration. The building dates to the Civil War era and is adjacent to the Mount South Freedom Trail. The commission discussed the proposed six-over-six configuration, the treatment of atypical window openings near the front door, and potential future work on doors and the rear block addition. The applicant also raised the possibility of adding decorative star washers to the masonry repair but, after discussion, the commission preferred avoiding visible stars to prevent a cluttered appearance. The work was found compatible subject to conditions.
  • DePauw Avenue Conservation District: Administrator Renwick reported that progress is on hold due to pending litigation regarding an alley vacation (a property owner requested alley closure) and a preliminary hearing scheduled for next month. A potential representative for the district, Crystal, was introduced and will be briefed later.
  • Other Potential New District Designations: A meeting is scheduled for the Monday after Derby Day at 6:00 PM at Silver Heights camp (Camp Avenue) to discuss a potential conservation district for Silver Hills. The commission also considered a National Register nomination for the area as an alternative if local regulation is not desired.
  • Enforcement Update: Administrator Renwick sent letters to owners of properties at 916 East Market, 407 East 7th, 217 East 9th, 1217 East Main, 1206 East Main, 324 East 11th, and 1218 East Main (for re-roofing without a COA). The owner of 808 received a letter about railings but explained they were temporary for mobility. Other discussion included a decorative element at a house on Market Street, a house with blue paint, and ongoing maintenance issues.
  • Facelift Awards Discussion: The commission received 12 nominations for the annual Facelift Awards. Administrator Renwick will circulate photos and a list; members are to conduct drive-by reviews over the next month. The commission agreed to treat 213 and 223 Market Street (same owner) as separate properties due to different uses. Nominations are still open. Awards typically number 10–12.
  • CLG Reporting: Administrator Renwick reminded members to submit resumes (needed from a couple of new members) and any continuing education credits. The CLG report is due April 30, 2026. A webinar on economic impact studies for historic preservation is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The Northern Kentucky Restoration Weekend (April 25, 2026, in Newport, KY) was also highlighted.

Key Outcomes

  • COA Approved: Resilience Properties’ application for window replacement at 26 E. 3rd Street was approved, subject to the condition that final window materials, design, and any deviations (including treatment of window openings near the front door) be reviewed and approved by staff. The masonry repair plan was approved as submitted, with the understanding that decorative star washers will not be added.
  • Enforcement: Letters have been sent; ongoing monitoring continues.
  • Facelift Awards: Nominations list will be circulated; members will review and narrow the list at the next meeting.
  • Silver Hills Meeting: Scheduled for the Monday after Derby Day at 6:00 PM; open to all.
  • CLG Reports: Due April 30; resumes and continuing education credits are requested.

Meeting Transcript

Really? We're hanging in there. Is enrollment though? Great. No, it's not. Really? It hasn't been. Sort of. Okay. It is 7 p.m., so we will call this meeting of the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission meeting to order and begin by reading the introductory statement. The Historic Preservation Commission is charged with protecting the character of New Albany's historic districts by reviewing proposed exterior changes to buildings within the districts. The Commission does this by issuing a certificate of appropriateness or COA for work that it finds will not adversely affect the historic or architectural character of the district. All certificate of appropriateness applications are sent to the commission members approximately one week prior to the regular monthly meeting, allowing time for site visits when necessary. The commission administrator prepares a staff report that is read aloud during the application review. After a period of discussion with the applicant, time will be allotted for public input. Public comments should be limited to five minutes or less. After comments in, there will be two votes by the commission. The first is to find as fact that the proposed work is or is not compatible within the historic district. The second vote is to approve or deny the work request. After all applications are reviewed, the commission will entertain comments from the general public, and we ask that all comments be limited to five minutes or less. Or can we have a roll call, please? Uh Colt Sanders? Here. Kate Erliner here. Matt Bergman. Here. Tiffany Carbano, here. Or Lena Mainfield here. Jacob Rush. Jim Spriggler. Here. Ex officio member Scott Wood. Administrator Laura Renwick, I'm here and we have a quorum. All right. Approval of the agenda. Are there any changes to the agenda? Or a motion to approve the agenda as presented. I still move to approve the agenda as presented. Second. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Approval of the March meeting minutes. Are there any changes to the meeting minutes or a motion to approve the minutes that's presented? I move to approve the meeting minutes from March as presented. Second. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. I financial report update.

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