OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - June 17, 2026

City Council & Boards — Wednesday, June 17, 2026
BodyNew Albany, Indiana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateWednesday, June 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:45

Transcript — Verbatim
0:21

Okay.

0:22

All right.

0:23

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

0:31

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.

0:40

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

0:50

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.

1:00

The Commission administrator prepares a staff report, which is read aloud during the application review.

1:05

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

1:10

Public comments should be limited to five minutes or less.

1:13

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

1:16

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

1:22

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

1:25

After all applications are reviewed, the commission will entertain further comments from the general public.

1:30

Yes, that comments be limited to five minutes or less.

1:33

Laura, can we have a roll call, please?

1:36

Colt Sanders.

1:37

Here.

1:37

Kate Berliner.

1:39

Here.

1:39

Matt Bergman.

1:41

Here.

1:41

Marlena Mayfield here.

1:43

Jacob Rush.

1:44

Here.

1:45

David West Reynolds.

1:47

Jim Sprigler.

1:48

Here.

1:50

We do have one vacancy.

1:52

Ex officious member Scott Wood.

1:56

Administrator Laura Renwick, I am here, and we do have a quorum.

2:00

Okay.

2:00

Approval of the agenda.

2:07

Adding to the agenda that we do have someone present, Michael Webber, for consideration for the Cedar Raw place vacancy.

2:14

Okay.

2:17

Aside from that admission, is there a motion to approve the agenda as presented?

2:23

I move to approve the agenda as presented.

2:26

There is second.

2:28

Second.

2:28

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:31

Aye.

2:33

Approval of the May meeting minutes.

2:35

Are there any changes to the meeting minutes?

2:38

Or a motion to approve those as presented.

2:44

I move to approve the meeting minutes as presented.

2:48

Second.

2:49

Second.

2:50

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:52

Aye.

2:53

Any financial report update?

2:55

I'm sorry that I don't have one again this month.

2:58

I really will get one for next month.

3:00

Okay.

3:01

Moving on to certificate of appropriateness applications.

3:04

First, we have Carlson at 92 East Spring Street.

3:09

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

3:16

I think I heard you right.

3:17

Hi, my name is Jordan Carlson from 922 East Spring.

3:21

Okay.

3:25

Staff comments.

3:26

Uh the applicant recently purchased his home, which is located at the corner of Spring and 10th Streets, and it has a garage facing 10th Street.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████65%
Procedural██████████14%
Community Engagement███████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure███4%
Economic Development███4%
Animal Welfare█2%
Affordable Housing█1%
Summary of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - June 17, 2026

The New Albany Historic Preservation Commission met on June 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM at New Albany City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Chair Colt Sanders with a quorum present. The commission reviewed three Certificate of Appropriateness applications, discussed several preservation and district expansion topics, and advanced the selection of Facelift Award nominees.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Agenda: Approved unanimously with an addition to include a candidate for the Cedar Bough Place HD vacancy.
  • Approval of Minutes: Approved the May 2026 meeting minutes as presented.
  • Financial Report: None provided; administrator Laura Renwick noted she will have one next month.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

  • Carlson (922 E. Spring): Proposed a 6-foot wood privacy fence in side and rear yard. Staff recommended approval citing consistency with design guidelines. The commission voted unanimously to find it compatible and approved the COA. Vote: All in favor.
  • Cox & Taylor (703 & 705 E. Market): Proposal to replace storm-damaged aluminum siding with LP SmartSiding (smooth finish) after removing aluminum. Staff recommended approval with conditions: traditional trim, corner boards, and smooth finish. The commission approved with those conditions. Vote: All in favor. The application was initially submitted in November 2025.
  • Resch (138 E. Spring): Proposed replacing upper-story windows with clad wood units due to deterioration. Staff recommended approval with condition that salvageable sashes be retained. Commission approved with staff review for any changes to east elevation windows. Vote: All in favor.

Hearing of Visitors

  • Michael Weber introduced himself as a candidate for the vacant Cedar Bough Place HD representative position. He is a retired English teacher from Jefferson County. Chair Sanders will confirm with the neighborhood and then proceed with appointment.

Old Business

  • DePauw Avenue Conservation District Guidelines: The commission voted to adopt the district guidelines as presented, with minor grammatical clarifications. Vote: All in favor.
  • Silver Hills District Designation: Discussion on holding another informational meeting in July. Several commissioners will be unavailable during the regular July meeting; staff will coordinate a date in late July.
  • Potential Extension of East Spring Street HD: Consideration to include the north side of Elm Street (from 8th to 13th). Commissioner suggested reaching out to Greg to gauge neighborhood interest.

Facelift Awards Discussion

  • The commission reviewed 14 properties for potential Facelift Awards. They narrowed the list to eight definite selections, with one additional property suggested (1403 Knob Street) to reach nine. Properties considered included historic and non-historic structures. Some were deferred due to timing (e.g., properties for sale, recent fire restoration). The commission will finalize the list and send template letters to awardees.

Enforcement Update

  • Staff actions: Letters sent to new owners of 922 E. Spring, 1217 E. Main, and 1207 E. Spring. Staff approved signage at 224 E. Main and work on the Oddfellows building storefront. Concerns noted about a property on Main Street with deteriorating windows and a mechanic shop with falling overhang. The city is increasing scrutiny on Todd Coleman's property near the White House.

New Business

  • August Meeting Date: Moved to August 26, 2026 to accommodate administrator's vacation. Confirmed room availability.
  • CLG Annual Report Findings: State confirmed compliance. Noted requirement to adopt a policy for updating the survey of historic structures (demolitions, alterations). Staff will draft a policy for next meeting.

Announcements

  • Statewide Preservation Conference: Two scholarships available for the conference (end of Sept/early Oct in Franklin, Indiana). Deadline for interest: July 15, 2026.
  • Virtual Training: Scheduled for the following week.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved three COAs: Carlson (922 E. Spring) for privacy fence; Cox & Taylor (703 & 705 E. Market) for SmartSiding with conditions; Resch (138 E. Spring) for window replacements with condition.
  • Adopted DePauw Avenue Conservation District guidelines.
  • Advanced Silver Hills informational meeting planning for late July.
  • Selected nine Facelift Award nominees; staff to contact winners.
  • Moved August meeting to August 26, 2026.
  • Noted need for CLG survey update policy.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. All right. The time is 7 p.m., so we will call this meeting of the New Albany Historic Preservation 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 which it finds will not adversely affect the historical 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, which is read aloud during the application review. After a period of discussion with the applicant, time is 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 this fact that the proposed work is or is not compatible with the historic district. The second vote is to approve or deny the work requests. After all applications are reviewed, the commission will entertain further comments from the general public. Yes, that comments be limited to five minutes or less. Laura, can we have a roll call, please? Colt Sanders. Here. Kate Berliner. Here. Matt Bergman. Here. Marlena Mayfield here. Jacob Rush. Here. David West Reynolds. Jim Sprigler. Here. We do have one vacancy. Ex officious member Scott Wood. Administrator Laura Renwick, I am here, and we do have a quorum. Okay. Approval of the agenda. Adding to the agenda that we do have someone present, Michael Webber, for consideration for the Cedar Raw place vacancy. Okay. Aside from that admission, is there a motion to approve the agenda as presented? I move to approve the agenda as presented. There is second. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Approval of the May meeting minutes. Are there any changes to the meeting minutes? Or a motion to approve those as presented. I move to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Second. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any financial report update? I'm sorry that I don't have one again this month.

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