HPC Meeting Date: September 3, 2025
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Mathias Hughey, Associate City Planner
Title
Certificate of Appropriateness for Window Insert Replacement at 306 Division St. S. – the Alex Marshall Building
Body
Action Requested:
The Heritage Preservation Commission is asked to review and approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for replacing the second-story window inserts at 306 Division St. S. – The Alex Marshall Building.
Summary Report:
The applicant, Betteroutthere LLC, is seeking approval to replace the second-story window inserts in the residential units and common areas of the Alex Marshall Building. All work is limited to the upper half of the façade. The property address is 306 Division St. S.; the Alex Marshall Building is listed as a contributing building to the Northfield Commercial Historic District. The historic inventory form and application materials are attached.
The applicant is proposing to replace existing window inserts with new, clad Marvin Window inserts. The existing inserts are not original, though records are inadequate to determine the exact of the existing inserts, they likely date from the later-middle portion of the 20th century (1970-1999). The upper story was converted to apartments in 1957.
The proposed window inserts will be clad with a factory finish in a dark gray color labeled “bronze” (sample material provided at meeting). The existing wood window frames will be retained and repainted to match the color of the new inserts. The existing windows include an exterior wood-framed storm window and screen, held in place by butterfly clips, which will be removed. The existing windows and frames are painted either dark gray or a reddish color. All windows on the second story will match in color with the update. The proposed window inserts will include integrated screens.
Of the seven criteria to be considered by the Heritage Preservation Commission, the required finding is met, two are not applicable, and four are met or conditionally met. Attached is a draft resolution for the HPC to review with the analysis of the criteria. HPC members can contact staff in advance to make edits if there are any proposed changes.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness for replacing the window inserts at 306 Division St. S.
Alternative Options:
The HPC could approve the COA without conditions or deny the COA. Both options require modifying the resolution to provide justification and findings.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A