OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 15, 2026

City Council & Boards — Wednesday, July 15, 2026
BodyNew Albany, Indiana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateWednesday, July 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 43:48

Transcript — Verbatim
0:24

Okay.

0:25

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

0:33

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.

0:42

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

0:52

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.

1:02

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

1:08

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

1:13

Public comments should be limited to five minutes or less.

1:16

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

1:19

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

1:24

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

1:28

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

1:36

We have all Colt Sanders.

1:39

Here.

1:40

Kate Berliner.

1:41

Matt Bergman.

1:42

Here.

1:43

Marlena Mafia.

1:45

Jacob Rush.

1:46

David West Reynolds.

1:48

Jim Sprickler?

1:50

Here.

1:50

Michael Webber.

1:51

Here.

1:52

Ex officio member Scott Wood.

1:54

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

1:59

Next up we have approval of the agenda.

2:02

Are there any changes to the agenda?

2:05

I don't have anything.

2:06

There I motion to approve the agenda as presented.

2:09

I motion.

2:10

Second.

2:11

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:14

Aye.

2:14

Aye.

2:16

Uh approval of the June meeting minutes.

2:19

Are there any changes or additions to those?

2:23

Is there a motion to approve the June meeting minutes as presented?

2:27

I know.

2:28

Second.

2:29

Aye.

2:29

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:31

Aye.

2:33

Financial report update.

2:35

Uh I did not I asked and I did not receive one, so I don't know if they are not wanting to share any more or what, but I will continue to ask and see if we can get one.

2:46

Okay.

2:57

Uh Batowski.

2:58

Is there someone here for that?

3:00

If you'll step up to the podium and state your name and we'll read the staff comments.

3:07

Hi, I'm Angie Batovsky.

3:11

Staff comments.

3:12

The house in question is located on the corner of 13th and Elm Streets at the northeast corner of the East Spring Street District.

3:17

The applicant is proposing to add a small cedar shed in the backyard close to the rear wall of the house, which would be visible from Elm Street, although partially obscured by a large bush kernel.

3:26

This east wall has a one-story hip roof projection, roughly centered on the wall, with one full-length window to the north and a smaller window to the south.

3:34

Per the applicant, the shed would be placed either where it would slightly cover both windows or offset where the right window would be clear and more of on the left window would be covered.

3:43

The guidelines direct that the new accessory structure should be located behind the primary structure, which would be the case here.

3:50

The scale and setback of the new structure would not overwhelm the primary structure, and the shed roof shape would complement the low hip roof of the house and its rear bay immediately adjacent to the shed.

4:00

No significant views of the house or nearby structures would be obstructed.

4:04

The shed would also be of wood construction, which is a traditional inconsistent with the house, although the use of cedar fence pickets as a primary construction material is not typical of the district.

4:13

However, the applicant does plan to paint the fence pickets to match the house when its painting is possible, which would help them blend and lessen their fence-like appearance.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████81%
Community Engagement█████9%
Procedural████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██3%
Summary of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - July 15, 2026

The New Albany Historic Preservation Commission met on July 15, 2026 at 7 PM at City Hall. Chair Colt Sanders called the meeting to order, with all eight voting members present (Colt Sanders, Kate Berliner, Matt Bergman, Marlena Mayfield, Jacob Resch, David West Reynolds, Jim Sprigler, Michael Weber), along with ex officio Scott Wood and administrator Laura Renwick. The agenda and June meeting minutes were approved unanimously. No financial report was provided.

Consent Calendar

  • Staff-approved Certificate of Appropriateness applications were noted without discussion:
    • Sermersheim (211 E. Market) – vinyl lettering on display windows and door
    • Sermersheim (213 E. Main) – flush-mounted lettering on storefront cornice
    • Sermersheim (611 E. Spring) – 36" square hanging sign on existing sign arm
    • Keller (224 E. Main) – 20" round hanging sign on new sign arm and door sign
    • T3 Investment Group (201-205 E. Market) – scrape and repaint storefront, removal of box sign frame and metal awnings

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were offered during the Certificate of Appropriateness reviews.
  • During Hearing of Visitors, a commission member (David West Reynolds) reported that the New Albany City Council would discuss a proposal the following evening (July 16) to close an alley at the northeast end of the DePauw conservation district, which a developer sought to incorporate into a yard. The neighborhood planned to attend in support of the alley closure, and the city appeared supportive.

Discussion Items

  • Batovsky (420 E. 13th) – Cedar shed addition: The applicant proposed adding a small cedar shed (84" tall x 37" deep x 71½" wide) behind the house, partially visible from Elm Street. The shed would be wood construction, painted to match the house. Staff recommended approval, citing consistency with guidelines for accessory structures (AS4, AS5, AS9, AS10). The commission discussed the orientation of siding (horizontal vs. vertical) and the need to allow treated wood to age before painting. The motion to find the project compatible passed unanimously, and the Certificate of Appropriateness was approved unanimously.
  • Langdon (913 E. Main) – Demolish existing garage, build new two-car garage: The existing L-shaped garage, likely post-1952, was in poor condition (sagging roof, plywood patches) and deemed not salvageable. The proposed replacement would match the existing footprint, be clad in HardiePlank siding, and include carriage-style doors and windows matching the Italianate house style. Staff recommended approval pending receipt of north elevation drawings (which were provided at the meeting). The applicant noted plans to use original 1850s doors from the house for one garage bay. The commission discussed dimensions, materials, and the impact on a stone retaining wall. The motion to find the project compatible with the district (citing demolition guidelines DE1-4 and accessory structure guidelines AS1,4-10) passed with one dissenting vote (Michael Weber). The subsequent motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness also passed 7-1, with Michael Weber voting no due to concerns about the second floor height.

Old Business

  • DePauw Avenue Conservation District: David West Reynolds noted the upcoming city council meeting regarding the alley closure and development parcel. The neighborhood is opposed to using the alley as a development entrance.
  • Other Potential New District Designations: Jacob Resch reported that a follow-up public meeting with the Silver Hills neighborhood had not been scheduled due to lack of response from the venue. The commission hopes to hold a meeting in August to better gauge interest in historic or conservation district designation.
  • Enforcement Update: Laura Renwick sent letters to new owners at 217 East 9th and 1110 East Elm. The new owners of the Odd Fellows Building are performing work (e.g., painting trim on upper stories) without prior approval; staff will follow up. A commissioner noted a building beside Aura Salon had its floors removed, but no further information was available. Also noted was a historic house on 10th Street with bricks falling out; staff will investigate.
  • Facelift Awards: The commission decided to hold the Facelift Awards ceremony in October, one hour before the regular meeting (likely October 21, 2026, pending room availability). Kate Berliner and Matt Bergman will send letters to winners. The commission discussed honoring historian Dave Barksdale, possibly by renaming the award or creating a special award. No decision was made; the item was tabled to the next meeting for further discussion, including checking if Barksdale has already received a Sagamore of the Wabash award.

New Business

  • A scholarship to the state preservation conference was offered to commissioners. Chair Colt Sanders indicated he would attend and use one.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Certificate of Appropriateness for Batovsky (420 E. 13th) – shed addition (unanimous).
  • Approved: Certificate of Appropriateness for Langdon (913 E. Main) – garage demolition and new construction (7-1, Michael Weber dissenting).
  • Tabled: Discussion on renaming the Facelift Award or honoring Dave Barksdale to the next meeting.
  • Next Steps: Staff will continue enforcement communication with Odd Fellows building owners; investigate the 10th Street property; schedule a Silver Hills public meeting; and prepare for the October Facelift Awards ceremony.
  • Next Meeting: August 26, 2026 at 7 PM at New Albany City Hall. The Homes Tour is scheduled for September 12, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. It is 7 p.m., so we will go ahead and call this meeting of the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission 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 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 as fact that the proposed work is or is not compatible with the historic district. The second vote is to approve or deny the work request. After all applications are reviewed, the commission will entertain further comments from the general public, and we ask that all comments be limited to five minutes or less. We have all Colt Sanders. Here. Kate Berliner. Matt Bergman. Here. Marlena Mafia. Jacob Rush. David West Reynolds. Jim Sprickler? Here. Michael Webber. Here. Ex officio member Scott Wood. Administrator Laura Renwick, I'm here, and we do have a quorum. Next up we have approval of the agenda. Are there any changes to the agenda? I don't have anything. There I motion to approve the agenda as presented. I motion. Second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Uh approval of the June meeting minutes. Are there any changes or additions to those? Is there a motion to approve the June meeting minutes as presented? I know. Second. Aye. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Financial report update. Uh I did not I asked and I did not receive one, so I don't know if they are not wanting to share any more or what, but I will continue to ask and see if we can get one. Okay. Uh Batowski. Is there someone here for that? If you'll step up to the podium and state your name and we'll read the staff comments. Hi, I'm Angie Batovsky.

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