Historic Preservation Board approves 336‑sq‑ft cabana addition at 509 N Street with conditions
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Summary
The board approved a 336-square-foot cabana addition attached to a contributing house at 509 N Street, subject to conditions including a 10‑foot alley setback or an applicant-initiated variance, material notations at permit and additional window/roof details.
The Historic Preservation Board on Aug. 26 approved an addition and alteration at 509 N Street that will add about 336 square feet to a contributing, single‑family house, connecting a new cabana to the main structure with a solid-roof breezeway.
Architect Richard Barnes and owner James Lacwadara presented the proposal and revised elevations showing a solid‑roof connection and a trellis link to the original house. City preservation staff told the board the addition meets the Secretary of the Interior's standards and city code with conditions and recommended approval.
Why it matters: The project modifies a contributing structure in the local historic district; approval sets design and material expectations for the cabana and establishes how the addition is measured against lot‑coverage and setback rules.
Key details and conditions: Staff reported the breezeway connection is intended to make the new structure an addition rather than an accessory building. The cabana will include storage, a bathroom and a covered seating area and was described as leaning toward a craftsman-style expression to relate to the main house. Staff said the breezeway will be counted as 50% for lot‑coverage calculations and requested additional notations and material details at the building‑permit review to avoid a board return for minor clarifications.
The board discussed several staff conditions, including a zoning setback requirement to place the cabana 10 feet from the alley rather than the existing 8‑foot line; staff advised that if the applicant seeks an 8‑foot setback they must apply separately for a variance because that relief was not advertised for the current hearing. The board also addressed roof material, endorsing anodized or mill finish metal as historically appropriate while leaving color and final product details to staff review at the permit stage.
The board approved the application with conditions 1 through 7 as memorialized in the staff report. The record contains photographs and the revised elevations submitted by the applicant.
Next steps: The applicant will submit final material notations and window/roof details at permit stage for staff verification; if the applicant seeks to retain the existing 8‑foot alley setback, they must apply for a variance and return to the board if required.