Griego Residence Portico Addition

At a glance

What: A Report of Acceptability (HIST-26-0006) for a new portico of about 60 square feet at the front entrance of an existing house on West Buena Ventura Street in the Old North End historic overlay (Council District 5).
Outcome: Approved 4-0-3 by the Historic Preservation Board on August 3, 2026.

Gray presented. The Georgian-style brick house has a wooden-framed entrance and a small faux gable over the stoop that looks like a portico but is not one. The applicant would build a real portico matching the landing size, with wood columns and roof like the existing feature and Asheville shingles matching the roof. Staff found all criteria met, no significant architectural features altered, and consistency with the Old North End design guidelines.
Avery Thompson of Compass Architecture, for the owners, said the portico would be cement board or wood painted white, with two structural side walls slightly extending the porch. The team was matching brick color but the original brick texture is no longer manufactured.
Board member Fitzsimmons asked whether the house dates from 1985 (the architect said yes) and why a non-contributing structure is reviewed; Gray said it is inside the overlay, and a Report of Acceptability turns on whether a building permit is needed and whether the work is visible from the public right of way. Fitzsimmons also cautioned against materials that would peel soon.
Motion by Baumgartner, seconded by Fitzsimmons, to approve the Report of Acceptability based on findings that the review criteria in City Code Section 7.5.528 are met. Passed 4-0-3 (aye Beerbaum, MacEnulty, Baumgartner, Fitzsimmons; absent Lowenberg, Musick, Potter).

Report of Acceptability approved 4-0-3.