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ALTERATIONS: The house is aluminum sided and all windows have aluminum storms. The steel security door at the rear of the house is a replacement. The garage appears to be original. The storm door is not original. The south kitchen window has been reduced in size and replaced with a modern vinyl replacement window (1985). A south basement window has been replaced with a vinyl replacement window and the other south side basement window has a deteriorating aluminum storm and wood window. A window at the rear of the house has been removed and/or covered with aluminum siding (1985). The roof was replaced with COA 2007-0316. COA 2010-0802A for vinyl replacement windows was denied with the exception of the front third floor window, as it was determined by the Preservation Specialist that existing windows could be repaired and/or rehabilitated. COA 2016-1019 approved tear down of existing garage, and conditional approval of installation of a new wood deck and French doors (replacing windows) at back side of house; removal and replacement of existing wood windows was denied. COA 2016-1205 and 2017-0103 for removal and replacement of existing wood windows were denied. APPLICATION ITEMS: Replace existing stone retaining wall in front yard with landscape blocks; add landscaping plants, and plant flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT. Owner has removed stone retaining wall in front of property, and installed dry - laid landscape block retaining walls along sidewalks. New plants, shrubs, and a flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) have been planted in the yard. This goal of this project was to improve soil retention, as well as the overall appearance of the property. PRESERVATION SPECIALIST REPORT: STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES: Riverside Drive Local Historic District I. THE ENVIRONMENT B. BUILDING SITE, LANDSCAPING AND ACCESSORIES Individual properties in the district are characterized by a house located in the center of a flat lawn, often divided by a walk leading to the front entrance. Several of the residences are sited on two or more building lots; however, the preponderance of the homes have been erected on a single lot. Most of the properties include a double garage, usually located at the rear of the property. The majority of garages are accessed from straight driveways leading from the main thoroughfare, while a few are accessed from the alley. There are also a few homes with a covered carport located at the rear of the property, as well as a few with circular driveways. Driveway and sidewalk materials include concrete, asphalt and brick. All of the properties have trees and most have trimmed shrubbery and/or hedges. Most of the houses conform to a uniform setback line within each block. Required Plants, trees, fencing, walkways, private yard lights, signs (house numbers) and benches which reflect the property's history and development shall be retained. Recommended New site work should be based upon actual knowledge of the past appearance of the property found in photographs, drawings and newspapers. New site work should be appropriate to existing surrounding site elements in scale, type and appearance. Plant materials and trees in close proximity to the building that are causing deterioration to the building's historic fabric should be removed. However, trees and plant materials that must be removed should be immediately replaced by suitable flora. All high-intensity security lights should be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Prohibited No changes may be made to the appearance of the site by removing major landscaping items, trees, fencing, walkways, outbuildings or other elements before evaluating their importance to the property's history and development. Front yard areas shall not be transformed into parking lots nor paved nor blacktopped. Front yard areas shall not be fenced and fences shall not extend forward beyond the setback line of the house. The installation of unsightly devices such as television reception dishes and solar collectors shall not be permitted in areas where they can be viewed from the public thoroughfare. Not Recommended Telephone or utility poles with high-intensity overhead lights should be installed so that they cannot be seen from the thoroughfare. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: As the new retaining wall and landscaping will prevent erosion, does not detract from the appearance of the property, and is similar to other retaining walls in the Riverside Drive historic district, Staff recommends approval. Elicia Feasel, Executive Director Deb Parcell, Deputy Director Public Hearing: Barbara Gatto, 808 Golden: Supports the Morrises as they are good neighbors and are good for the neighborhood. They have improved the neighborhood. Angela Philpott, 1077 Riverside: Before this retaining wall was put in, there were loose rocks there, and kids would pick them up and throw them. This will be safer. Commission Discussion: