Historic Landmarks Commission Meeting (9-9-21)

The City of Suffolk, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission held a meeting on September 9, 2021, primarily to review a certificate of appropriateness application for exterior alterations at 127 Clay Street. The applicant requested to remove two chimneys and replace the existing standing seam metal roof with architectural asphalt shingles due to the roof's deteriorated condition and difficulty in sourcing contractors for metal roofing. Despite guidelines favoring standing seam metal roofs for historic properties, the commission discussed practical considerations including cost, contractor availability, and the condition of the house. After deliberation, the commission voted unanimously (9-0) to approve the use of architectural asphalt shingles and removal of the chimneys, citing precedent and the need to preserve the building. The meeting also included updates on enforcement actions and zoning violations related to other historic properties, but no additional procurement or contracting decisions were made.