The Victorian Village Commission voted to allow painted steel replacement doors at 100 West 4th Avenue — a 1925 school building — after staff and the district described doors that no longer latching and a pressing safety need.

Melinda, the district’s representative, told the commission crews have repeatedly patched original wood doors and that many openings no longer secure reliably. "The doors will open and close, but they aren't latching anymore," she said, describing repeated hardware failures and the district’s need for durable, secure entrances for students and staff. Commissioners said they have previously accepted material exceptions for schools when safety and frequent use make original materials impractical.

The commission approved replacement doors that match existing size, profile, paneling and glazing characteristics, while requiring transoms to be retained where present. The vote covered door types that staff identified as urgent and allowed painted steel to be used as a like-for-like functional substitute for safety reasons; staff noted precedent exists for school exceptions where safety and durability are demonstrable.

Separately, commission members spent substantial time addressing unapproved work performed earlier this year: partial demolition of a historic chimney and visible mortar repairs that appear to use a different mortar mix and joint profile. Staff and commissioners described the chimney as likely original to the 1920s building and therefore of historic significance. The commission asked the district to supply a structural assessment, photographic documentation of the pre-existing chimney and clearer mapping of where mortar and lintel work was performed. Commissioners agreed the chimney matter will remain subject to further evaluation and must meet the city code and Victorian Village guidelines on masonry and chimneys before a full resolution.

For the doors, the commission recorded a motion approving the specified steel door replacements with retention of existing transoms; for the chimney and mortar work the commission left the record open and requested further documentation and staff follow-up to resolve the code-enforcement issues.