1602 - February 04 (Special Mtg.)March 26, 2015, June 25, 2015,October 1, 2015 and December 17, 2015
CITY OF PRATTVILLE
Historic Preservation Commission
Planning Department Staff Report
CERTIFICATE OF
APPROPRIATENESS
173 -187 West Main Street – CA1601-01
DATE
January 26, 2016
PROPOSED DEVLOPMENT
Petitioner: Brent and Megan Moeshlin
Property Owner: Brent and Megan Moeshlin
Agent: N/A
Location: 173 -187 West Main Street
Review Status and History
Submission Status: First submission for this address.
Previous Approvals: N/A
Conditions of Previous
Approvals:
None
1984/2007 Historic
Properties Inventory
Details
200. 173 – 187 West Main Street, Bell-Thomas
Building (1921, contributing): This one-story, eight-
unit building has a buff-colored brick veneer, a metal
cornice with modillions, and a brick parapet. (Source:
Thomason and Associates, 2007 Inventory of Daniel
Pratt Historic District)
Proposed Alteration, Renovation or Addition
The following changes have been requested by the applicant. See the application
included as Attachment A for the owner’s description of each item.
1. Remove boards from the front windows above doors. Replace the two outside
windows per unit with clear glass as shown in the sample. This will be
accomplished by replacing the two panes on each side for a total of 36 panes
replaced (includes transom windows in corner unit at 173 W. Main Street).
Page 2 of 5
2. Replace middle window above each door with framed wood panel and add
wrought iron address numbers.
3. Add small outdoor light fixture to the right side of each door. One unit already has
a light. Additional light intended to give the building a more symmetrical
appearance.
4. Repair/renovate all doors to have the same appearance as 181 W. Main Street
(picture included). Presently, each door is different. Renovation intended to
standardize the exterior appearance of the building.
5. Remove mail boxes from the building. Replace with numbers above door and
mail slot additions to each door.
PLANNING STAFF EVALUATION
Reviewed by: Joel T. Duke, AICP
Site Visits Conducted: January 26, 2016
Recommendation: Approve proposed changes to historic storefront – obtain
additional information about proposed wood panel prior to
approval. (Items 1, 2, and 5)
Approve requested lanterns. (Item 3)
Approve repair and renovation of doors. (Item 4)
Evaluation:
The requested alterations were reviewed against the standards contained in the Prattville
Commercial Design Review Guidelines Manual. The relevant sections of manual are
included. Staff comments/evaluation follow the relevant sections.
Item 1. Remove boards from the front windows above doors. Replace the two outside
windows per unit with clear glass as shown in the sample. This will be accomplished
by replacing the two panes on each side for a total of 36 panes replaced (includes
transom windows in corner unit at 173 W. Main Street).
Item 2. Replace middle window above each door with framed wood panel and add
wrought iron address numbers.
Item 5. Remove mail boxes from the building. Replace with numbers above door
and mail slot additions to each door.
Page 3 of 5
Storefronts (pages 32 and 33)
Storefronts are defining elements of the commercial and historic character of the downtown
business district. Historic storefronts should be retained, visible, maintained, and, if needed,
repaired.
1. Historic storefronts and their component elements, such as display windows,
bulkheads, transoms, doors, cornices, pillars, and pilasters, should be retained and
maintained.
2. Historic storefronts and their component elements should remain visible.
3. Deteriorated or damaged storefronts or elements should be repaired so that the
storefront retains its historic appearance.
4. Missing storefronts or elements should be replaced so that they replicate the historic
storefront or other historic examples.
Analysis: The applicant proposes removing the interior and exterior wood panels installed
over the six light transom windows capping each of the 8 storefronts and the corner windows
in 173 W. Main Street. The proposal includes replacement of textured glass with new clear
panes. The applicant states that existing glass is either missing, damaged, or altered
(painted) making replacement difficult. Staff generally agrees with this assessment.
Replacement with like material is not impossible, but likely not cost effective. The applicant
proposes replacing the two center panes above each door with a framed wood panel. Each
panel will be highlighted by uniform address numbers. The proposed wood panel alters this
historic storefront, but is not inconsistent with other historic examples. The Commission
should seek additional information the appearance of the wood panel (frame as compared
to the window frames, simple or ornate panel, etc.)
Item 3. Add small outdoor light fixture to the right side of each door. One unit already
has a light. Additional light intended to give the building a more symmetrical
appearance.
Lighting (page 22)
Few historic light fixtures remain downtown; any that do should be retained and maintained.
New light fixtures should be unobtrusive in design, materials, and placement.
4. If modern light fixtures are desired as replacements or where light fixtures previously
did not exist, they should be unobtrusive, conceal the light source, and direct light
toward the building.
5. Light fixtures should not damage or obscure architectural features or other building
elements.
Page 4 of 5
Analysis: The applicant’s proposal includes adding a single metal lantern at each doorway.
No historic lighting fixtures, or evidence thereof, are present on the building. A single lantern
is currently installed at one doorway. Uniformly, adding a small lantern to the remaining units
should not damage or detract from the other elements of the storefront.
Item 4. Repair/renovate all doors to have the same appearance as 181 W. Main Street
(picture included). Presently, each door is different. Renovation intended to
standardize the exterior appearance of the building.
Doors and Entrances (page 18)
Doors are often buildings’ central visual elements, so are particularly important features.
Historic entrances and doors should be retained, visible, maintained, and, if needed,
repaired. Missing or severely deteriorated doors should be replaced with historically
appropriate doors. Screen, storm, and security doors should not detract from the historic
appearance of their building.
1. Historic doors should be retained and maintained.
2. Primary entrances to commercial buildings should be universally accessible. If this
is not possible, alternative entrances should be available, clearly marked, and
maintained to the same standards as the primary entrance.
3. If historic doors do not allow for universal access, they should be retrofitted to provide
it.
4. Deteriorated or damaged historic doors should be repaired using methods that allow
them to retain their historic appearance and as much of their historic fabric as
possible. Epoxy is helpful in strengthening and replacing deteriorated wood.
5. Owners are encouraged to replace missing or severely damaged historic doors with
new doors that replicate the originals or other historic examples.
6. Clear-glass single-light painted wood doors with or without paneling are most
appropriate for replacing primary doors in the district’s commercial buildings. The
opening in secondary entrances may be smaller or doors may be solid wood. Dark
or bronze anodized metal, though less appropriate, may be substituted for wood.
Analysis: The applicant proposes to repair/restore or duplicate existing doors consistent with
Commission’s guidelines. Accessibility should be a goal for commercial spaces, however,
in the case of the subject structure accessibility cannot be obtained without alteration to the
public sidewalk. City building code and Americans with Disability Act permit some alternate
accommodation when compliance requires significant alteration to historic structures.
Page 5 of 5
ATTACHMENTS
A. Application and attachments
B. Applicants supplemental narrative and pictures
C. Location Map