Meeting called to order

The Cleveland Landmarks Commission meeting called to order at 9:19 a.m.

Agenda [PDF]

Recording [video]

The following commission members were present:

• Julie Trott, chair 
• Chris Loeser, vice chair 
• Calley Mersmann, director of City Planning 
• Michele Anderson 
• Raymond Tarasuck Jr. 
• Michael Sanbury 
• Regennia Williams 

Commission Members Robert Strickland, Mark Duluk and Deborah Gray were absent.

Other attendees included:

• Daniel Musson, commission secretary 
• Jessica Beam, Landmarks staff 
• Sierra Lipscomb, assistant director of Law, City of Cleveland 
• Karl Brunjes, Landmarks staff
• Marie Cipolletta, Signarama Cleveland
• Michael Scaparotti
• Terri Hamilton Brown, former city official and now executive director of St. Clair-Superior Development Corp.
• Eric Anderle
• Mark Goergy
• Pasquale Esposito
• Jill Brandt, Brandt Architecture, LLC
• Ariel Washington, Cleveland City Planning
• Lily Bodmann, Ohio City Inc.
• Yeni Carreras, Be Next Awnings & Graphics
• Margaret Lann, Cleveland Restoration Society
• Linda Thomas-Lee
• Kosta Almiroudis, developer
• Cordelia Heaney, St. Clair-Superior Development Corp.

Certificates of Appropriateness [info]
The following were reviewed for compliance with historic district guidelines. 

GORDON SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT
★ 5800 Detroit Avenue – StudioThink sign

• Project representative: Marie Cipolletta, Signarama Cleveland
• Proposal: Change the business signage to appear below the window vs. above. The StudioThink business is on the 2nd floor.
• History: Presented to the local design review committee on Feb. 4. 
• Comments: The first-floor storefront is vacant. Several commission members voiced concerns that if a business goes into the first floor, the sign for that space could conflict with the business that moves in.
• Commission Chair Julie Trott voiced concern that the white letters might not stand out enough against the light-colored siding. The presenter, Cipolletta, clarified that the first-floor space has room for a sign above their door on the corner. Vice Chair Chris Loeser recommended a window decal on the door for the business.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously. 

OHIO CITY HISTORIC DISTRICT
★ 4205 Woodbine Avenue – window installation 

• Project representatives: Mark Goergy, owner
• Proposal: Residential home window replacement.
• History: Goergy said the home was purchased in April 2025, and the windows were leaking air. The homeowner reached out to the Cleveland Restoration Society for guidance, but the homeowner was not aware that the exterior change must go through the Landmark Commission design review process. The owner did not want to change the appearance from the original windows, and he replaced the windows using vinyl windows on all sides of the home. The homeowner is asking permission to keep the windows installed.
• Design notes: Double-hung vinyl windows on all sides of the home that Goergy said look almost identical to the previous windows.
• Comments: Beam reported that the local design committee approved the vinyl replacement on all sides of the house except the front and recommended that the Landmarks Commission review the use of vinyl for replacement of the front windows. Commission Secretary Daniel Musson and Loeser said approval should have been sought before the work versus after, and the work was done without a permit. Based on the standards of rehabilitation, deteriorated historic features should be repaired, not replaced. And if they need replaced, new features must be a near match to the originals. 
• Loeser asked if the windows were original to the home. The homeowner said the previous windows were vinyl, but he was not sure if they were original to the home. Loeser said it’s difficult to deduce if the previous windows were wood or vinyl. 
• Trott said she was “struggling [with approving] the four windows on the front of the house.” The commission was unable to deduce, based on the images provided, if the material of the original front windows was inappropriate and warranted replacement. 
• Outcome: Application tabled unanimously with permission of the applicant. The applicant must submit digital files of the front facade to validate and evaluate the materials that were replaced, and the homeowner can return at a future meeting to review.

LORAIN STATION HISTORIC DISTRICT
★  9716 Lorain Avenue – Total Wireless signage and storefront 

• Project representatives: Yeni Carreras, Be Next Awnings & Graphics
  Josh, owner
• History: The store owner, Josh (no last name given), renovated the storefront prior to having the Landmarks Commission review the changes. The work included removal of the transom windows, replacing the majority of the window space with wood paneling, and painting the entire front facade sea green. The store owner is willing to restore the transom and restore the paint to a more agreeable color to better align with historic standards. The owner feels the awning would be the best, quickest solution for replacing the signage.
• Proposal: Installation of a red canvas awning with white letters. The awning would be attached to the building with a rail system and internally illuminated with LEDs.
• Comments: Musson credited the store owner with his willingness to paint the storefront a more aligned color with the historic district. Josh, the store owner, said the storefront was broken into frequently and that is why they boarded up the windows and removed the glass. The commission generally felt that the proposed awning with illuminated signage was not in keeping with the historic character and streetscape of the area. Loeser expressed concern that “an awning with a lit sign attached to it is [not] in keeping with the spirit and context of the streetscape in this area.” Several members, including Trott, Sanbury and Anderson, indicated they could support elements such as a new awning, non-illuminated signage, paint changes, and restoration of the transom. However, they could not approve the proposal as presented. There was also concern about avoiding the creation of a non-historic recessed entry and a preference for restoring the storefront to a more historically appropriate condition. Loeser recommended that the applicant meet with Landmarks staff to go over recommendations and come back with the right direction as to what would be amenable to this group. The store owner expressed frustration and said the difference in feedback from the commission and that of the local design review committee was “shocking.” He asked if the group was aligned with the Landmarks Commission guidance. Musson clarified that advisory committees are advisory only and that final decisions are guided by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which allow for interpretation.
• Outcome: Application tabled unanimously with approval of the applicant. The applicant will reach out to staff to walk through solutions. 

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INTERNATIONAL SAVINGS & LOAN (ST. CLAIR BANK)
★   6229 St. Clair Avenue – Pixel Planet renovations 

• Project representatives: Eric Anderle, owner
• Proposal: Security-related changes to the doors and windows on the St. Clair side of the building.
• History: Pixel Planet is a film and video production facility in Cleveland.
• Design notes: Applicant proposed replacing the existing doors with more secure steel doors and repainting the wood trim and exterior siding. They are also proposing a one-way, opaque, colored window film for privacy, which would cover 100% of the window space. Ariel Washington from the Cleveland City Planning reported that the local advisory committee recommended that the film be applied to the interior side of the window, a transparent film with less than 100% opacity be used, and that detailed specifications for the proposed door type be provided.
• Comments: The commission acknowledged the applicant’s security concerns but expressed strong opposition to solid steel doors, describing them as overly institutional and not in keeping with the building’s character. Members recommended steel doors with plexiglass instead, along with selecting a darker, warmer paint color rather than Olympus White. There were also significant concerns about covering the windows, as zoning code limits coverage to 25% due to the graphics being interpreted as signage. The commission advised reducing window coverage, exploring translucent options, and considering internal security systems to achieve a more harmonious and compliant solution.
• Cordelia Heaney of the St. Clair-Superior Development Corp. explained that they have been working with Pixel Planet through a grant program and have supported the design, and the doors have already been ordered. She emphasized that Pixel Planet houses expensive film equipment and that security is paramount for the business.
• Loeser said, “It’s unfortunate that the doors are already on order without having gone through the full historic design review process.” He said that the proposed design “ultimately portrays more of a fortress than … a contributing member of the streetscape.” He also expressed interest in understanding the owners’ future plans for the building, suggesting that any approval or recommendation should consider and potentially facilitate future improvements.
• Outcome: Application tabled unanimously with approval of the applicant.

BROOKLYN CENTRE HISTORIC DISTRICT
★   2604-2902 Garden Avenue – Row On Garden new construction

• Project representatives: Jill Brandt, Brandt Architecture
• Proposal: New construction of two residential lots, 3 stories tall with 9 apartments in each, creating 18 housing units total. 
• History: Beam said the plan, which includes the demolition of the existing homes, went to the local design review committee in August 2025.
• Design notes: Extensive architectural designs were presented detailing external materials used and paint color selections.
• Comments: Musson recounted that the commission has reviewed this project multiple times as part of a larger campus development that includes Lofts on Pearl (approved 2022), Flats on Pearl (approved 2025), and the Kearns Building (approved June 2025). This marks the fourth building in the development, with prior demolitions on Garden Avenue approved in 2024-2025. The project has undergone schematic review twice and final review three times, most recently in April 2025. A new case number was issued due to the shift from townhouses to apartments. There was disagreement among the commission members on the appropriateness of the paint color selection. Musson noted that a formal zoning review will occur once the project is submitted through the permit portal.
• Outcome: The motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness initially failed due to a lack of a second. Musson referenced prior concerns, and  Trott asked members to clarify remaining issues. Commission Member Michele Anderson emphasized the need to incorporate a historic color palette appropriate to the district, expressing concern that the proposed colors are too dark and “grim” and saying that the absence of double-hung windows introduces non-original elements. She stressed the importance of consistency with surrounding buildings but was willing to concede on the entrance overhang. Brandt said the colors were chosen from the Sherwin-Williams historic palette and had previously been revised. Anderson responded that the selected colors are traditionally trim colors, not appropriate for primary body elements. Commission Member Regennia Williams recommended formally requesting new paint selections, particularly for the stair tower, box bay and projections. A motion to approve with conditions to work with staff on revised paint colors passed unanimously.

National Register of Historic Places nomination

Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church, 15309 Harvard Ave.

Presenter: Margaret Lann, Cleveland Restoration Society

Lann gave a short presentation of the history and significance of the Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church and is preparing to present at the state level in March. The church was recently designated as a Cleveland Landmark.

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The nomination highlights the church’s historical and architectural significance during the Civil Rights period (1965-1976). Organized in 1962 in a storefront location, the congregation was interracial but primarily Black, led by Rev. Allen Youngblood. Ground was broken on April 11, 1965, with Whitley Architects — their first ecclesiastical project — designing the building.

The church is a modern structure that fits within its mid-century residential context and retains key original features, including harlequin stained glass, woodwork, a modern metal steeple, and historic light fixtures. Many congregation members were active in Civil Rights-era political and community organizations. It was also the last of six churches funded through a National Park Service grant.

Loeser noted it is the first modern mid-century building nominated during his tenure on the commission and expressed strong support for the designation.

A motion to support the nomination passed unanimously.

Design Review Advisory Committee Appointments

Greater Northeast Historic Design Review Advisory Committee – appointment of Michael Scaparotti

Nomination is for Mike Scaparotti, referred from the Little Italy Redevelopment Association.

Credentials for the nominee had not been sent out to the commission; for due diligence, the nomination is being tabled until the next meeting, and credential info will be distributed.

Nomination tabled. 

Minutes passed for commission meetings on Jan. 27, 2022; Aug. 28, 2025; and Oct. 9, 2025. 

Administrative Reports

Earlier this week, the Wellman-Seaver building Cleveland Landmark nomination was approved by a Cleveland City Council Committee. The move makes it one step closer to being a landmark. 

The next Landmarks Commission meeting is Thursday, Feb. 26. 

Meeting adjourned at 12:08 p.m. 

These notes are by Documenter Maria Shuckahosee.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org  with “Correction Request” in the subject line.