Demolition Of 135-Year-Old Buildings Up Before Herndon Historic Review Board On Wednesday

Update: April 4, 9:30 a.m.: This story was updated with information about to scope of Wednesday night's meeting and the April 19 public hearing.

HERNDON, VA — Herndon's Historic District Review Board will be discussing an application at its Wednesday work session to demolish two structures that were built more than 135 years ago in the center of town.

The two buildings in question are a three-story home and a carriage house located across the street from Town Hall Square at 725 Elden St. The buildings are currently being used as storage space for the nearby Adams-Green Funeral Home.

Charles Reed, who built many of the oldest homes in the Historic District, constructed the two buildings around 1888, according to the staff report included with the meeting's agenda.

Adams Herndon Holdings LLC originally filed a request with the town in January 2020 for a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the two buildings, known collectively as the "725 Elden Street Structures."

While Wednesday night's meeting is open to the public, it is not a public hearing. The applicant will address the board and answer questions about the certificate of appropriateness.

Although the applicant had submitted an approved site plan for the demolition and a structural report conducted by Goughnour Engineering, PC to the board, Adams Herndon Holdings'application does not include a new development proposal or construction plan for the property.

"The intent, according to the applicant, is to demolish the buildings and secure the site with fill dirt and grass conditions," the staff report says.

Michael O'Reilly, an attorney representing the applicant, addressed the question of a construction plan in a Feb. 1 letter sent to Tamsin Hines, the town's lead planner in design and development.

"I understand that a site plan for the building that will be considered once the current building is demolished was required by the Town," O'Reilly said, in his letter. "While I don't see that requirement in the codified requirements for the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for a demolition, I am advised that my client has provided such a plan and that it has been approved. We are working on accommodating the other numerous staff requirements that will allow the matter to move forward."

No action will be taken by the board on Wednesday night. The applicant is invited to present its case at the April 19 public hearing, at which members of the public may provide their input.

Following the public hearing, the board members will have to decide whether to vote to approve or to deny the application for demolition based on the standards within the town's zoning ordinance and the Herndon Historic District Overlay Guidelines. The board can also approve the application with conditions or continue the public hearing to a future date.

The staff report, which is signed by Himes and Bryce Perry, the deputy director of community development, recommends that the board deny the application.

Despite the applicant's assertions, staff found that the two structures contributed to the overall character of the historic district and that alternatives to demotion had not been adequately explored.

Likewise, the structural survey submitted with the application was limited in scope, based on visual observations of portions of the structure, and did not provide enough data for staff to fully analyze. It also failed to adequately address rehabilitation or reuse of the property.

In it's draft resolution, staff included the following reasons for denial:

1. "The 725 Elden Street historic structures do contribute to the character of the historic district as they are both categorized as contributing structures by architectural surveys completed by the Town and the National Register of Historic Places.
2. "The 725 Elden Street historic structures qualify as national and state landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
3. "While modern versions of Folk Victorian houses do exist in the Town, reproduction of a historic house with its unique character and craftsmanship could not be easily reproduced.
4. "While no historic events occurred in the structures, the 725 Elden Historic Structures are connected with historically significant members of the Town of Herndon community.
5. "Sufficient evidence has not been provided to indicate that the 725 Elden Historic Structures are structurally unsound.
6. "No information has been provided that details unique or specific conditions that would diminish the practicability of relocating the 725 Elden Historic Structures.
7. "The demolition of the 725 Elden Historic Structures would adversely affect the historic district as a whole and particularly adversely affect important viewsheds of the historic district and townscapes of Herndon.
8. "Practicable alternatives to demolition do exist for the 725 Elden Street Historic Structures.
9. "No report has been provided that includes both an economic and feasibility study concluding that rehabilitating or reusing the 725 Elden Historic Structures is not a practicable alternative."

The Historic District Review Board will discuss the Adams Herndon Holdings applicant at Wednesday's work session, which starts at 7 p.m., in the second floor conference room at the Herndon Municipal Center located at 777 Lynne St.