HISTORIC DISTRICT REVIEW BOARD: NEW HOMES PROPOSED FOR CAPE CHARLES

Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness have been received by the Historic District Review Board for two new homes. New construction of a single family home is planned for 727 Tazewell Avenue. This home is proposed to be built on a non-conforming size lot (40’ x 132.5’ – 5300 square feet). According to the staff report, the “overall building and improvement footprint is 30’ x 76’ (2280 square feet), with the structure proposed to be three stories (39 feet in height), and 3405 total square feet”.

Most of the homes on the 700-block of Tazewell Avenue, as well as those on Fulcher Street do not include full front porches. The plans for 727, however do include a front porch at just twenty-four feet (80%). A porch this size is allowed in the Guidelines and zoning ordinance (Article III Section 3.2.I.5.)

There is a vacant commercial property across from 727, however the “building footprint meets the setback\prevailing standard requirements of the zoning ordinance”. Plans show the home using vinyl siding and clad casement windows.

The applicant also proposes to use glass block windows for the west elevation. Staff notes that, according to the “Guidelines Windows and Doors section (Element 9, page 40) the proportion of windows to wall area should be respected with more wall area than window area”. The section of glass block windows is seventy-two square feet.

Despite being on the outer edges, 727 Tazewell is still within the Historic District, and as such, has to conform to those guidelines. The HDRB did not approve the Certificate, but instead sent the design back for revisions. The basic issue had to do with the alignment of the windows, which, according to the board, were not consistently aligned across the structure. Most styles of home in the Historic District have a basic consistency based on the design of the home, and even as this is new construction, it still must conform to this standard.

718 Randolph Avenue
The HDRB has also received an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness from the property owner for new construction of a rear addition office\commercial space with two-bedroom apartment above. The second floor residential unit is based on a conditional use permit already approved by Town Council.

The proposed addition is a contributing structure, 1920s era rusticated concrete block commercial building. Currently there is a partial concrete block wall on the site. The existing wall has both window and door openings, which will be reconfigured in the new construction. An exterior stairway is proposed for the new addition. The overall building and improvement footprint is 38.5’ x 36’ (1386 square feet), with the structure proposed to be two stories (26 feet in height), and 2800 total square feet.

From staff report, “The applicant has presented a comprehensive set of elevation drawings, existing conditions, and a site plan. The building’s height and roof pitch conform to the zoning ordinance requirements. The walls will be painted masonry materials, which the Guidelines Masonry section state should be avoided (Element 4, page 50). The proposed ground floor office\commercial windows have a more residential look and may not conform to the Guidelines Windows and Doors section (Elements 10 and 11, page 40). Since this is a rear addition, the “Storefronts” guidelines may be more flexibly interpreted than literally interpreted (Element 6, page 47).”

The Certificate of Appropriateness was approved.