At its September 2025 meeting, the Wiley Historic Review Commission recommended approval of a proposal to enclose an outdoor covered storage area and convert a garage into overflow seating for a restaurant in the Downtown Historic District, with one condition: the new foyer window must match the building’s existing Craftsman-style trim.

The condition was added after discussion of materials and sight lines. Brian Rogers, representative of Design, Draw, Build, LLC, said, “The garage is being turned into an overflow seating area,” and described the work as installing a non–load-bearing partition wall where a temporary screening fence now stands, adding a small foyer that will match existing roof lines and siding. Rogers said the space “is not gonna be heated air conditioned, but it's gonna dry it in to save equipment from rusting.”

Commissioners and the applicant discussed exterior appearance, attachment and finishes. Commissioners asked whether the partition wall would be attached to the existing structure; Rogers said it would be built like a standard wall with sole plates and studs tied into the existing lumber. The commission noted the new foyer will include an ADA ramp; the ramp surface will be concrete and the handrails were described as being matched to the building’s existing handrails. The applicant also said the garage-area window on the new foyer will sit roughly 8 feet 6 inches forward of the current doorway.

Members pressed on the location of the restaurant’s trash enclosure. A person on the record who said they prepared the building’s conversion into the restaurant Taste of Home noted the dumpster has historically been located at that alley location and is covered; participants said there is limited maneuvering room in the alley and that waste-collection crews (referred to in the discussion as “CWD”) require access, limiting relocation options.

The commission recommended approval with the stipulation that the foyer window “match the existing windows on the building,” phrased in the motion as Craftsman-style trim. Commissioner (Mover) said, “I make a motion that we recommend approval, with the stipulation that the window on the foyer matches the existing windows on the building.” The motion was seconded and the commissioners voted to pass the recommendation. The commission chair noted the HRC action is a recommendation and that the proposal will go to the next city council meeting on the 14th for final review.

Commissioners requested a revised drawing from the applicant showing the window trim and color to confirm the condition. The applicant indicated they could provide the revised drawing and estimated, informally, that construction could begin in about two to three weeks, but the start date remains contingent on council approval.

Background details discussed at the meeting: the original building dates to 1900 and a later addition attached to the proposed work dates to 1993. The commission confirmed the proposed partition is non–load-bearing, and no structural alterations to existing columns, headers or beams were proposed.

The commission approved the minutes from its July 24, 2025 meeting earlier in the session and had no other regular-agenda submittals for the following month.