The Historic Design and Review Commission Compliance and Technical Advisory Board on March 21 referred consideration of a proposed metal tile roof at 507 Fir Drive to a committee after more than an hour of public comment and staff presentations.

The home, in the Monticello Park Historic District, had its original clay tile roof removed without a certificate of appropriateness or a city permit. Pam Carpenter spoke on behalf of the Monticello Park Neighborhood Association and said the property "is considered contributing to the Monticello Park Historic District" and urged the board to deny the applicant’s request and require replacement of the clay tile in kind.

City staff told the board they had issued stop‑work orders and filed municipal court cases after the roof was replaced without approvals. Staff said the original clay tile had been discarded and that the owner and several contractors had not cooperated initially. Staff recommended approval of a stone‑coated metal product that simulates clay tile as a feasible compromise, saying it would remove the current Galvalume standing seam roof and better match the house’s appearance than the existing metal.

Owner Maria Del Carmen Drury, who attended in person, told commissioners she had relied on a contractor and had not been approached about possible funding assistance. Contractor Sylvia, representing Sustainable KW Roofing, said the company had installed similar products elsewhere but did not bring a physical sample to the hearing.

Commissioners debated whether an in‑kind clay tile replacement remained feasible given cost and availability. One commissioner said they had “some reservations about allowing a substitute material” given the house’s historic character and urged further exploration of clay tile options. Staff reiterated that clay tile was available but more expensive and that their recommended compromise was based on a year of compliance work and the property owner’s stated capacity to complete the work now.

After an initial motion to accept staff recommendations failed, the board voted to refer the item to committee, and staff will schedule a site visit and follow‑up with the owner and contractor.

What happens next: Historic Commission staff and the owner will coordinate a site visit in the coming weeks; the referral will produce a committee review and potential mock‑up if requested.