The City of Birmingham’s Design Review Board is discussing plans to make changes to a structure in one of the city’s many historic and commercial revitalization districts. This column summarizes the project’s recent DRC activities, grouped by type and location. In this edition of the Design Review, he summarizes his DRC meetings of March 27, 2024 and April 10, 2024.
As stated in the application process, the DRC’s decision is final. The applicant is responsible for implementing the plan presented and approved. Deviations from the approved plan may only be submitted to the committee for approval.
March 27, 2024 meeting
Avondale Park
Homes – Exterior renovation plans such as new windows, exterior repairs, painting, new roofs and decks were submitted to the commission by homeowners. During interior renovation work, windows were replaced without permission and an order was issued to stop the work. The new windows will be replaced with wooden windows that match the historic nature of the home. The exterior wood siding will be repaired and painted white with white trim and black doors. The new roof material will be asphalt shingles. The Neighborhood Committee approved it without reservation.
The Committee approved it as presented.
Downtown/8th Avenue North
Exterior Addition – 112 14th Street North – Last seen at a meeting on October 25, 2023, the building owner returned to the commission on March 27, 2024 to add an additional canopy to cover the patio. Add to the exterior of the structure and outdoor seating space. The canopy will be a shed roof structure and will be connected to the previously approved planned front canopy. Committee members discussed concerns about where the canopy would connect and how it would interact with the building’s Art Deco details. The commission requested new drawings detailing the building and the relationship of the canopy with previously approved renovations.
The committee put the project on hold to submit new drawings.
Downtown/12th Street North
New Construction – 2600 12th Avenue North – A proposal for a new gas station in the Norwood/Callaway area was presented to the commission. The site is near the downtown entertainment district, Protective Stadium, and the recently developed proposed Callaway site. The committee asked whether the presenter had considered the master plan for the Caraway site. The team working on the gas station project had never heard of or seen the master plan yet. The Committee discussed the need to ensure that projects adjacent to existing development plans are considered in context when planning.
The committee tabled the project on the condition that the presenters review the master plan for the Callaway site and adjust the project accordingly.
Highland Park
Residential – A stop-work order was issued for a housing project that started with an interior permit and ended up requiring some exterior renovations. The previous owner replaced the double door system with plate glass windows. The house is a contributing building to a historic district, and the new windows did not fit into the historical context. The new owner removed the plate glass windows and replaced them with his two original wood windows at the back of the house. The contractor also proposed a plan to replace the slate roof with asphalt shingles. The shingles mimic the original pattern of the slate. Repairing and replacing damaged sections of slate roofs is a challenge due to the unavailability of matching slate roof tiles. Other homes in the area also had their slate tile roofs replaced with asphalt. The Neighborhood Board approved the project with the condition that the plate glass windows be replaced with historic windows.
The committee approved it as presented.
April 10, 2024 meeting
Avondale Park
Residential – Exterior renovation project presented to the committee. Plans include roof repairs, new front windows, painting, siding, soffit and fascia repairs. The Neighborhood Board approved the project on the condition that the original wood siding be repaired rather than replaced. Once the repairs are complete, paint the siding along with the staircase and porch railings. The homeowner agreed to the terms.
The commission approved it based on neighborhood conditions.
Downtown/8th Avenue North
Exterior Renovations – 301 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard – Plans for the outhouse roof were returned to the commission. At its last meeting, the commission deferred discussion of adding a patio roof until detailed plans were developed that defined the relationship between the roof line and the building’s decorative trim.
The committee approved it as presented.
Five Points South
Signage – 1034 20th Street South – A new Indian street food restaurant will open in the former Waffle House location. Egg-holic signage includes flush-mounted facelit channel letters. The restaurant is located on the first floor of a multi-tenant building and no window graphics are used.
The committee approved it as presented with the condition that the existing window graphics be removed.
forest park
Residential – Rear addition renovation work submitted for committee approval. The original addition to the house is currently in poor condition. The Neighborhood Board approved this project with the following conditions: Install a wooden garage door. Extend the roofline above the new arched windows. Match the existing roofline slope and gable details. The homeowner agrees to the terms and the colors match the existing home. Additional new Palladian windows with historic stained glass will also be installed. The existing roof will be replaced with a composite material similar to the original slate.
The commission approved it based on neighborhood conditions.
Residential – Contributing Structure Window Replacement Project was presented to the Committee. Timber composite windows replace all existing windows, including metal frame windows in the sunroom. The Neighborhood Board approved the project, which called for maintaining a thin metal frame due to its historic nature, except for the sunroom windows. The proposed sunroom windows match the style of metal and wood composite materials. The lightweight pattern and construction of the windows match new windows as well as existing windows approved in other parts of the home. The existing arched window at the rear of the sunroom will also be recreated. The homeowner asked for the decision regarding the sunroom window to be reversed.
The committee approved the proposal as proposed, with one person opposed and the Neighborhood Committee voting in favor of overturning it.
Residential – Another window replacement project was presented to the commission, this time for a non-contributing structure. The owner of this mid-century style home replaced the original spec metal frame windows with synthetic glass with his 1:1 insulated vinyl windows in a style that better matched the style of the home and was more energy efficient. I’m planning something. The Neighborhood Board approved the side and rear windows with the condition that the front windows be replaced with wood or board-style wood windows. The color matches the exterior of your home as well as your other new windows.
The committee approved the proposal as proposed, with one person opposed and the Neighborhood Committee voting in favor of overturning it.
Highland Park
Exterior Renovations – 1026 28th Place South – A window replacement project for one condominium unit was scheduled to be discussed. Since the owner was not present, this item was moved to the end of the agenda. The presenter did not arrive before the meeting was adjourned.
The Committee tabled this item.
midtown
Signage – 2100 Seventh Avenue South – Southside Arby’s is renovating its signage. Owner representatives presented plans to reupholster the pylon sign along Seventh Avenue South, replace the drive-thru canopy and add a cap logo to the apex area of the roof on the front facade. The new sign will be internally illuminated.
The committee approved it as presented.
after the agenda
In an unusual move, the commission overturned two Neighborhood Commission recommendations at this meeting. Based on the information presented to the Commission, the Commission chose to consider the applicant’s individual request to overturn the neighborhood’s decision. In the past, the commission has referred applicants back to neighbors to review details and seek final approval.
All images courtesy of the City of Birmingham Design Review Board/Urban Design Department.