Bloomington Commission Greenlights Modified Historic Home Expansion - Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission, March 13, 2025

Bloomington Commission Greenlights Modified Historic Home Expansion - Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission, March 13, 2025

AI Summary:

### Headline:

Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission Approves Controversial House Addition

### News Article:

In a meeting filled with debates over historical accuracy and neighborhood aesthetics, the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission ultimately approved a contentious plan for a house addition at 803 North Maple Street, within the Maple Heights Historic District. The decision, which passed with a vote of 5-1, reflected a significant evolution in the project's design, aimed at aligning with the district's guidelines.

Commissioner Jack Baker highlighted the transformation of the proposal, stating, "This was an easy no at the beginning because there just wasn't any commitment to the neighborhood in the new build part of the house." He noted the substantial changes made by the petitioner, expressing his movement towards a positive vote.

The project initially faced strong opposition due to its proposed vertical siding, a shed pitch roof, and inappropriate fenestration patterns. However, after extensive revisions, including the adoption of a hipped roof, horizontal siding, and an additional window on the Maple Street facade, the new plan seemed more in tune with the historic district's character.

Jeremy Hackard, another commissioner, shared his observations, "Going by this property and seeing how the other houses are, especially as it kind of slopes as you go up to the north, it won't seem like overly tall compared to the rest of the houses." His comments underscored a key aspect of the debate—how the addition would visually integrate into the existing streetscape.

Despite the overall approval, dissent came from Commissioner Ernesto Castan, who remained concerned about the addition's height relative to neighboring one-story structures. "The vast majority of the neighbors here are one-story structures; this would be the only one to be a full two-story structure," Castan argued, emphasizing the guidelines that suggest new constructions should harmonize in mass and height with adjacent buildings.

Supporting the approval, Commissioner Renard Cross argued for a broader interpretation of the guidelines, considering the variety of building heights within the broader neighborhood context, "On 12th Street, there are probably about eight two-story buildings that I can think of. So, it's not going to be an anomalous structure within the neighborhood."

The meeting underscored the commission's role in balancing historical preservation with homeowners' rights to modify their properties. The commissioners' dialogue reflected a meticulous consideration of both the district's historical integrity and the modern needs of its residents.

Ultimately, the approval of COA 2509 marked a compromise between strict adherence to historical guidelines and allowing for reasonable modern alterations. This decision not only impacts the petitioner but also sets a precedent for future preservation and development within Bloomington's historic districts.

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This summary was created by AI based on an AI-generated transcript and follows predefined instructions for journalistic-style summaries.

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