New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – May 20, 2026

The New Albany Historic Preservation Commission met on May 20, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum present. The meeting included review of three certificate of appropriateness (COA) applications, a discussion on allowing composite windows for a prior applicant, updates on the DePaw Avenue Conservation District and a potential new district in Silver Hills, enforcement updates, and planning for the annual facelift awards. The meeting concluded with new business including training opportunities and the home tour.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda and minutes from the April meeting were approved without changes.
• The financial report update was not received and will be requested again next month.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

1014 East Spring Street – Williams & Jackson

• Applicant: Sherry Williams and James Jackson. Proposed replacement of window sash with wood sash and replacing a fixed window with an operable window on the east elevation. Staff noted the existing windows are one-over-one wood double hungs, many non‑functional, and sash-only replacement is a recommended strategy. The commission approved the application with conditions that removed windows be preserved and reused if possible.

818 East Main Street – Valley

• Applicant: Nick Valley for a condo unit. Proposed a 10 ft 5 in × 20 ft 8 in elevated sunroom on the rear elevation to mirror an existing sunroom on the west wing. Staff recommended preliminary approval pending additional details on engineering, materials, and window pattern. The commission approved with conditions including that decking and roofline attachments be engineered into mortar joints, and that final engineering, materials, and window array be submitted to staff for go‑forward approval.

325 East Main Street – Jacob Rash (325 East Main Street Property LLC)

• Applicant: Jacob Rash. Proposed construction of four two‑story brick townhomes on a vacant lot. Staff recommended initial approval subject to further details on materials, rear elevation, and a stronger cornice element. The commission approved with conditions that additional details (windows, materials, final elevations, cornice adjustments) be provided to staff prior to construction.

Composite Windows Discussion

• The administrator asked the commission to consider allowing composite windows for a prior applicant with unusual window openings. After discussion, the commission agreed to permit composite windows for this commercial property as a special case, noting that the door had already been opened on other projects and that the flexibility was needed to match irregular openings. The commission emphasized this was not a blanket approval for all future projects.

DePaw Avenue Conservation District

• The new DePaw representative, David Bryant, was welcomed. The commission reviewed a draft of design guidelines for the district and will consider formal adoption at the next meeting. The representative reported that the neighborhood retains 99% of its original historic character.

Potential New District – Silver Hills

• The commission discussed a public meeting held on May 4, 2026 with about 20–25 attendees. Interest in a conservation district was mixed, with some residents concerned about restrictions. The commission plans to hold a second meeting later in the summer, possibly with DePaw residents to share their experience. Efforts to improve outreach (flyers, email lists) will be pursued.

Enforcement Update

• Letters were sent to owners of properties at 67 East Ninth, 418 East 13th, 212–216 Pearl, and others regarding roof work and marketing. No major violations were reported. A house behind 12th and Market is being dismantled but is not in a district.

Facelift Awards

• The commission now has 13 properties on the list. One new property on Heddenport was added. The commission discussed deferring some candidates (e.g., the Eakin house, a property about to sell) and will use a ranking form to narrow to 10 finalists. A newly painted bakery at 216 West Main was suggested as a candidate. The commission aims to finalize the list in June so letters can be sent.

New Business

• CAMP Training: Virtual training offered by the state on June 23–24, covering legal basics, design review, and meeting procedures. Registration deadline June 16.
• Statewide Preservation Conference: September 29 in Franklin, Indiana; two scholarships available.
• Cedar Bell Representative: Three candidates responded to the call for Tiffany’s replacement. A Google survey will be sent to the neighborhood to rank them.
• Home Tour: The annual home tour will be in September (second Saturday). Committee is seeking homes; an Airbnb property may be considered. Commission members suggested several possible houses.
• Preservation Month posters (National Road theme) were offered to members.

Key Outcomes

• All three COA applications were approved with conditions.
• The commission agreed to allow composite windows for the prior applicant (commercial property) with the caveat that it does not set a precedent for residential properties.
• The DePaw design guidelines draft will be reviewed for formal adoption next month.
• Another public meeting for the Silver Hills conservation district proposal will be scheduled later in the summer.
• The facelift award list will be refined via a ranking form; final selections expected in June.
• The Cedar Bell representative vacancy will be filled through a neighborhood vote among three interested candidates.