The Italian Village Commission on Nov. 10, 2025 approved several staff‑recommended Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) items and set conditions or follow‑up steps for several others.

The commission voted by voice to approve COA 02501170 (transformer screening and fencing at 35 East Hubbard) with a condition limiting the approved fence treatment so horizontal pickets/read‑through elements would be no taller than 5 feet. Morgan (HPO staff) told the commission that staff had constrained prior staff approval to vertical pickets and the applicant asked the commission to permit horizontal pickets; commissioners agreed the horizontal treatment could be acceptable if the resulting fence height stayed under the agreed limit. The motion carried by voice vote (all in favor). (Provenance: timeline entries SEG 083–SEG 241.)

The commission approved COA 02501063 (canopy/raceway sign at the corner of North Pearl and Parkside) with the condition that the applicant work with a small subcommittee of commissioners to adjust the raceway so it reads less prominent from the sidewalk and to provide any minor refinements for staff review prior to certificate issuance. Commissioners asked the applicant to explore pinching or recessing the raceway and to provide revised drawings; a subcommittee (named in discussion) will meet with the applicant before final staff sign‑off. (Provenance: SEG 252–SEG 496.)

For COA 2501184 (removal of a two‑story porch at 90 East Lincoln Street), commissioners reviewed photographic documentation and structural considerations. Based on the condition photos and staff analysis, a motion to approve removal passed by voice vote with the expectation that any repair work match existing materials and that the applicant provide appropriate documentation for final permitting. (Provenance: SEG 510–SEG 789.)

The commission also moved to approve COA 2501053 (940 Hamlet Street) with a condition that staff notify the applicant that removing a selected tree could affect a nearby retaining wall; if the wall becomes unstable, the applicant must return to staff/commission for remediation. Commissioners explicitly asked staff to monitor and to require the applicant to repair any damage caused by tree removal. (Provenance: SEG 2250–SEG 2306.)

Procedural and routine business: commissioners approved staff‑approved applications and the meeting minutes for previous business meetings (voice votes). Several conceptual applications received design feedback only and were continued for revisions; no formal action was taken on those items. (Provenance: SEG 033–SEG 058; SEG 810–SEG 861; SEG 1260–SEG 1530.)

What happens next: applicants subject to conditions were directed to provide revised drawings or additional documentation for staff review; the canopy sign applicant must meet with the designated subcommittee before staff will release a certificate. Several larger conceptual proposals (noted above) were continued so applicants can submit refined elevations, 3‑D or streetscape studies and any requested variances before possible future action.

Votes at a glance (voice votes unless noted):
- COA 02501170 (transformer screening/fence): approved with condition (max horizontal element ~5 feet). (Provenance: SEG 083–SEG 241.)
- COA 02501063 (canopy/raceway sign): approved with condition — applicant to work with subcommittee and provide revised drawings for staff review. (Provenance: SEG 252–SEG 496.)
- COA 2501184 (porch removal, 90 E. Lincoln): approved with requirement that repairs match existing materials and be documented. (Provenance: SEG 510–SEG 789.)
- COA 2501053 (940 Hamlet): approved with condition — staff to notify applicant of potential retaining‑wall instability and require remediation if needed. (Provenance: SEG 2250–SEG 2306.)

All approved items were passed by voice vote; individual roll‑call vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript. The commission gave direction (design feedback and subcommittee formation) on several conceptual proposals and asked applicants to return with refined materials for consideration at a later meeting.