Commission denies rear addition at 504 Kate William citing incompatibility with district guidelines

The Historic Review Commission denied a certificate request for a two‑story rear addition at 504 Kate William (King William historic district) on Oct. 15, 2025, concluding the proposed massing and scale were incompatible with the district guidelines.

Daniel Cruz, representing Design Coop and the property owner, told commissioners the project is largely reversible and that the team had worked four years on restoration of the structure. He said the proposed addition would replicate historic elements and would not remove the original porch or major features. Commissioners and staff reviewed photographic visibility from the street and noted landscape growth reduced the addition’s prominence from some vantage points.

Why it matters: King William is a locally designated historic district; the commission’s denial reflects the body’s application of local design findings for mass and scale when additions increase the apparent size of a structure.

Commission rationale and vote: Staff recommended denial based on findings related to mass, scale and visibility. Several commissioners voiced sympathy for the applicant’s restoration investment but said the proposed volume and alterations exceeded what the district guidelines permit. The motion to deny carried (recorded vote: yes — Memon; García; Guevara; Cervantes; Holland; Fetzer; plus others recorded on the roll; no: Group; Gallaway). The commission noted the applicant may revise the design and return for further review and that a site visit could help evaluate how vegetation affects street visibility.

The applicant was advised to coordinate with the King William neighborhood association and to consider returning with a reduced massing scheme or additional documentation that clarifies reversibility and visibility from the public right of way.