The Sandusky Landmark Commission voted Sept. 17 to grant a certificate of appropriateness for alterations and a second‑story addition at 233 Jackson St., a noncontributing building in the city’s downtown historic district.

Planning staff told the commission the application, submitted by FICA Architecture for owner GMA Asset Management Group, LLC, proposes to alter the first‑floor facade, add a second story and create 10 residential units (four transient rental units on the first floor and six apartments on the second). Staff recommended approval with standard permitting conditions and additional notes from engineering and the building official.

Staff said the proposal will replace the existing multicolored mosaic tile on the front canopy with a brick veneer (Belden Brick Company, Bridgeport blend), install Everlast brand siding in the color “Cabernet Red,” replace gutters and downspouts with white Gibraltar aluminum, add an ADA ramp and bike rack at the front entrance, and install consistent new windows on both floors. The project also includes an elevator, interior stair, and retention of the existing chimney.

Planning staff summarized the commission’s design guidelines that new uses should adapt to existing window and door openings and that any filling of openings should be reversible where possible. Staff recommended drywall plus composite siding for some filled openings as a more reversible solution than solid masonry infill.

“our application today is for 233 Jackson Street for alterations on the existing First Floor facade and a second story addition, for a non contributing building at 233 Jackson Street,” Planning staff said during the presentation, describing the property’s location and proposed changes.

Architect John (architect for the project) told the commission the project team revised earlier drafts after on‑site review with staff and changed smaller, more economical windows to larger industrial‑style windows to better match the warehouse character staff prefers. “It was if there's if there's a window in the floor plan, it'll be in the elevation,” John said, describing the decision to standardize window sizes.

Commission discussion focused on preserving the existing cornice where possible, the appearance and reversibility of window infill, whether the chimney would remain, and whether a small rear roof area would become a deck in a later phase. Commissioner Daniel Frederick asked about the rear roof area’s intended use; the architect said the deck is a long‑term intention but not part of the current submission. Commissioner comments also requested that industrial‑style muntins be used in one lower‑right window so it matches other windows.

Engineering and building‑department comments, relayed by staff, said contractors must be licensed with the State of Ohio and registered with the City of Sandusky; the building official noted that because the property formerly housed a laundromat a Phase I environmental review may be required to determine if cleanup is needed as part of the change of use process. Engineering staff also advised that if the project ceases to use an existing turnaround on the east elevation, the city might reclaim the on‑street parking space in front of the building.

The commission approved the motion to grant the certificate of appropriateness with the staff’s recommended conditions. Roll call votes recorded in the transcript were: Jeff Crabill, yes; Ellie Dyer, yes; Daniel Frederick, yes; Alan Griffith, yes; and John (recorded in the roll call as John Peltzer/John Peltzer?), yes. The motion carried and the commission congratulated the applicant.

Staff’s conditions included obtaining all applicable permits through the city’s building department, engineering and planning divisions and compliance with any other applicable agency requirements; the motion also carried the standard requirement that work be done in accordance with the approved plans and city code.

The transcript records no construction timeline or permit issuance date; next steps recorded are permit applications and any required environmental reviews or additional approvals outside the commission’s purview.