Design Review Board

Edgewood Park Infill Housing Overlay District

2-A-20-IH

Applicant Request

Staff recommendation is to deny the request.
1. The proposed front porch addition is not in compliance with three of the criteria suggested for additions:
a. Exterior covering…should be selected that are like those original to the house (p. 14).
b. Additions should be made to the rear or side of the house…(p.14).
c. The open appearance of front porches should be maintained; if porches are to be enclosed, glass should be used…(p. 14)
2. The Guidelines give an option for front porch enclosure, utilizing glass in lieu of opaque building materials for the enclosure (p. 14).
3. Repair and maintenance (in-kind) are allowed without the Committee's approval, so the applicant could repair the roof and maintain the original front façade. Needed storage space could be added to the rear façade.
4. Proposed porch enclosure and corbels would change the house from a variation of a Craftsman to a Folk Victorian.
5. The majority of the houses are of no significant architectural style, so while the proposal does not meet the Infill Housing Design Guidelines, it is not out of character for the neighborhood.

Site Info

1. The applicant was unaware that he needed a building permit to enclose a portion of his front porch and began work without a permit. The applicant has since ceased construction and applied for a Certificate of Occupancy.
2. Due to roof and ceiling damage, the applicant was working on this portion of the house and started the porch enclosure as part of that process while making the needed repairs.
3. The proposal is to enclose the right side of the front porch to add storage. The addition would measure 12-ft wide at the front of the house, extending from the front right corner in towards the center. It would be 8-ft deep at the side of the house.
4. The addition would also add a front gable roof with an 8:12 slope of gray shingles to match the existing house. Three corbels beneath the front gable would provide a decorative element.
5. The front window would match the existing one-over-one pane pattern. The front door and front left window remain as that part of the porch would not be altered.
6. The existing house is reminiscent of the craftsman style, with a symmetrical façade, a low-pitched shed roof over the front porch, and a side gable roof over the primary part of the structure.