Sara Cooper

The Architectural Board of Review meeting included adding a discussion regarding Starbucks signage revisions to the agenda. Old business involved removing the Aurora Inn monument sign project from the table for discussion; the Board ultimately denied the motion to approve the submitted plans due to concerns over the electronic portion's conformity with the surrounding architectural design. In old business, approval was granted for an addition to a property at 1210 Surfside Circle, pending finalization of finish colors and materials. New business included approvals for several wall signs and monument signs for Ganley Automotive and Ryan Homes projects, as well as approvals for residential construction plans, including a roof alteration, and approvals for several new condominium units with minor conditions related to window alignment and shutter placement. The miscellaneous section confirmed that revisions to the Starbucks signage, requested by the Board, were addressed via email.

The meeting included organizational actions where Crystal Lavy was nominated and approved as Chairman for 2014, and Dave Riedel was nominated and approved as Vice-Chairman for 2014. New business involved the approval of several construction plans: a 456 square foot residential addition for Ben & Cathy Sutton; construction of single-family homes by Drees Homes at two locations (29 Lexington Way with conditions, and 250 Yorkshire with conditions); construction of single-family residences by Walden Co. Ltd. at two locations (374 Rainbows End and 513 Ravine Drive) as submitted; and approval of two signs for American Eagle at 549 S. Chillicothe Road. Pulte Homes received approval for two single-family residences in Hawthorn Phase IV as submitted. Two sign applications for the Villas of Bertram were tabled to allow for evaluation of the entire signage scheme for compliance. Miscellaneous discussions covered an update on the Treat Road Condominium Project and administrative changes regarding fence approvals.

The Architectural Board of Review convened a special meeting to address Old Business items concerning Drees Homes condo projects on Surrey Drive. For the 560 Surrey Drive condo, the board determined that a front-loading garage was the only feasible option due to site constraints, and subsequently approved the plans as submitted. For the 572 Surrey Drive condo, the board discussed material revisions, specifically requesting that the brick wrap continue to the garage door on the garage side elevation, and approved the revised plans with that modification. There were no items addressed under New Business.

The Architectural Board of Review considered numerous agenda items, including several Old Business presentations. Projects approved included revisions for a front porch addition and re-siding at 1260 California Street, approval of fireplace vent revisions at 125 Burning Tree Drive, and approval of a roof design change at 675 Morgan Trail. New Business involved approvals for new detached garages at 638 Fairview Drive and 1229 E. Garfield Rd, an addition at 1135 Aurora Hill Drive, and the replacement of signs for Secret Garden and Pure Bliss. Several single-family residence construction plans by Pulte Homes and Ryan Homes were reviewed, involving various modifications such as window placement, material choices, and similarity comparisons. One project addition at 541 Cobblestone failed to pass due to an abstention requiring unanimous approval. Finally, the Board approved plans for an addition/renovation at 1180 Surfside Circle and new home plans by Ryan Homes, contingent on specific modifications.

The meeting addressed several key items, including the presentation of the Arborist Report, which covered spring tree planting activities (99 trees in subdivisions and 57 along streets/parks) and tree maintenance at athletic fields. Old business involved updates on the Mulch Day event, the Landscape Awards presentation, and a tabled discussion concerning a Boy Scout Project. The committee determined it would not participate in July 4th celebrations. The group also reviewed future meeting schedules and planned to distribute 2023 Heritage/Landmark Tree Program certificates. Furthermore, the Urban Forestry Management Plan was reported as submitted to the Mayor for review. Under new business, the description for the Tree Museum was suggested to include the term "living."