HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail To Brian Minyard From Ed Sergeant 07/10/2009Page 1 of 1
Minyard, Brian
From: Ed Sergeant [ESergeant@polkstanley.com]
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 2:17 PM
To: Minyard, Brian
Subject: Application for 15th at Rock Street Houses
Dear Sirs:
Thank you for this opportunity to write to you. I wish to voice my opposition to the design of the houses, per the
application submitted for review in July 2009, for the following reasons:
1. According to Chapter 5, paragraph B, "New construction of primary and secondary buildings should maintain,
not disrupt, the existing pattern of surrounding historic buildings in the neighborhood." Due to its high modern
design, the proposed design is definitely in stark contrast to the surrounding historic houses.
2. Chapter 5, paragraph B.3: "Building Form: Basic building forms and roof shapes, including pitch, which match
those used historically in the area should be used. Location and proportions of entrances, windows, divisional
bays, and porches are important. Also consider heights (foundation, floor to ceiling, porch height and depth.)"
The roof shape is flat and should be sloped. The location and proportion of entrances look more like a
commercial building. The divisions of the exterior are not a familiar scale — it is difficult to tell whether this is a one
story or 6 story building based on the division by squares (they don not match used historically in the area).
3. This does not appear to be a complete submission? If so, the lack of information does not provide proper
review in regard to all requirements and should be resubmitted. I did not obtain the application requirements, but
I would think that site plan should include required setbacks, adjacent structures and the elevations should
include building materials and heights.
4. It is great to see modern structures in the downtown area but it is not worth sacrificing the importance of the
Historic District — infill housing at any cost is not worth the loss in integrity of the District.
5. Such variances should not be allowed. This may set a bad precedence for future structures and variances in
the district. The same developer and architecture team have designed and built several other modern homes in
the area. This is proof that a modern house may also be designed for the proposed corner which would conform
to the Ordinance.
6. The district is not that large — the design of the corner could go a lot of other locations. Can the developer
seek another site outside of both MacArthur and CZ?
Ed Sergeant
7/10/2009