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Record of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - October 21, 2026

City Council & Boards — Wednesday, October 21, 2026
BodyNew Albany, Indiana
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateWednesday, October 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:45:27

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:07

The time 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.

0:16

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.

0:24

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.

0:34

All certificate of appropriateness.

0:37

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.

0:46

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

0:51

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

0:55

Public comments should be limited to five minutes or less.

0:58

After comments and there will be two votes by the commission.

1:01

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

1:06

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

1:09

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

1:13

We ask that all comments be limited to five minutes or less.

1:17

Laura, can we have a poll call, please?

Speaker 2

1:19

Colt Sanders.

Speaker 1

1:20

Here.

Speaker 2

1:21

Kate Berliner?

1:23

Here.

1:23

Matt Bergman.

Speaker 1

1:24

Here.

Speaker 2

1:25

Marlena Mayfield.

1:26

Here.

1:26

Jacob Resch?

1:28

Here.

1:28

David West Reynolds.

Speaker 3

1:30

Here.

Speaker 2

1:30

Jim Sprickler.

Speaker 3

1:31

Here.

Speaker 2

1:32

Michael Webber?

1:33

Here.

1:33

Ex officio member Scott Wood.

1:36

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

Speaker 1

1:40

Super.

1:41

Are there any changes or additions to the agenda?

Speaker 4

1:45

I just have two corrections.

1:48

The date on the agenda is for September.

1:52

And you are for your notes.

1:55

My appointment has been renewed as of 1015.

1:59

I have a letter.

Speaker 2

2:00

Yes.

2:01

Yes, I have Cheryl did forward that.

Speaker 4

2:03

Okay.

Speaker 2

2:04

Thank you.

Speaker 4

2:08

Otherwise, I move to approve the agenda.

Speaker 1

2:12

Is there a second?

Speaker 4

2:13

I'll second.

Speaker 1

2:14

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:16

Aye.

2:16

Aye.

Unassigned speaker

2:18

Okay.

Speaker 1

2:23

Are there any changes to the minutes from the last meeting?

2:28

Is there a motion to approve the minutes as published?

Unassigned speaker

2:33

I

Speaker 4

2:33

so move.

Speaker 1

2:34

Second.

2:36

Second.

2:37

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:40

Aye.

2:42

Financial report

Speaker 5

2:43

update.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████79%
Procedural█████8%
Public Safety███6%
Community Engagement██3%
Planning And Zoning█2%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Pending Litigation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

New Albany Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - October 21, 2026

The New Albany Historic Preservation Commission met on October 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the New Albany City Hall, following the Facelift Awards ceremony at 6:00 PM. The commission reviewed several Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications, discussed enforcement processes, and considered potential new historic district designations. Chair Colt Sanders presided over the meeting, with all commission members present, establishing a quorum.

Certificate of Appropriateness Applications

  • 620 E. Main (Streckfus & Brown): Application to replace tin shingle roof with asphalt shingles and replace gutters with half-round. The owners were not present. The commission approved the COA with recommendations to revisit the roof color for more historic accuracy and to consider traditional gutters instead of half-round, with final choices subject to staff review. (Vote: unanimous)
  • 1001 E. Spring (Stobaugh): Application for roof replacement, gutter conversion, window repair, and chimney removal. Approved with conditions: soffits must be repaired with wood, and bricks from the removed chimney must be retained. (Vote: unanimous)
  • 623 E. Spring (Eisenmenger): Application for standing seam metal roof, soffit/fascia repair, gutters, and window replacement. Approved with conditions: window replacements must be in approved material (wood frame) and staff-reviewed; door replacement on side elevation must be staff-reviewed for approval. (Vote: unanimous)
  • 73 E. 13th (McDowell): Proposal for a prefabricated home on a vacant lot. The applicant was not present. The commission discussed concerns about scale, articulation, roof pitch, windows, and water drainage. No vote was taken; the applicant was encouraged to return with more detailed plans and consider city pre-approved plans.
  • Staff-approved applications: Perry (519 E. Main), Chandler/Signarama Downtown (222 E. Market), Resilience Properties (26 E. 3rd), and Garland (1109 E. Spring) were approved by staff without commission deliberation.

Old Business

  • DePauw Avenue Conservation District: A lawsuit hearing is scheduled for November 2, 2026. No new developments were reported.
  • Potential New District – Silver Hills: The commission discussed the next steps after a recent community meeting. Members noted that opposition often stemmed from misconceptions about historic preservation. The next step is to identify a core group of long-time residents to lead organic discussions with neighbors and possibly conduct a survey.
  • Enforcement Update: Administrator Laura Renwick sent letters to multiple properties regarding violations. A follow-up on a mural at Cozy Candles is pending. The commission also noted a property on Pearl Street with missing windows for over a year, which the Mayor has been made aware of.
  • At-large Member Recommendations: One member declined interest due to other commitments; the commission agreed to pass along names of interested candidates.

New Business

  • Enforcement Process Improvements: The commission discussed formalizing a written complaint process to code enforcement, designating a commission member (Chair Colt Sanders volunteered) to track and escalate enforcement issues. They also proposed inviting representatives from code enforcement, building department, and redevelopment to quarterly meetings to improve coordination. Concerns about a code enforcement officer revealing complainant identities were raised and noted for future communication.
  • November Meeting Date: The next meeting was rescheduled to Monday, November 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM, due to Chair Sanders’ travel.

Announcements

  • The NAPC webinar “Zoning Reform Isn't Coming—It's Here: What Preservationists Need to Know” is on October 22 at 1 PM; recordings are available for later viewing.
  • Continuing education requirements for certified local governments were reminded; members who have not completed training this year were encouraged to register.

Key Outcomes

  • Three COA applications were approved with conditions.
  • One application (McDowell) was deferred for additional planning.
  • The commission will develop a formal enforcement tracking list and pursue quarterly inter-departmental meetings.
  • The November meeting was moved to November 30, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

The time 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 which it finds will not adversely affect the historical or architectural character of the district. All certificate of appropriateness. 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 and there will be two votes by the commission. The first is to find as fact 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. We ask that all comments be limited to five minutes or less. Laura, can we have a poll call, please? Colt Sanders. Here. Kate Berliner? Here. Matt Bergman. Here. Marlena Mayfield. Here. Jacob Resch? Here. David West Reynolds. Here. Jim Sprickler. Here. Michael Webber? Here. Ex officio member Scott Wood. Administrator Laura Renwick, I'm here and we have a quorum. Super. Are there any changes or additions to the agenda? I just have two corrections. The date on the agenda is for September. And you are for your notes. My appointment has been renewed as of 1015. I have a letter. Yes. Yes, I have Cheryl did forward that. Okay. Thank you. Otherwise, I move to approve the agenda. Is there a second? I'll second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Okay.

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