Oswego trustees recently granted a variance from village code to allow a petitioner to paint the brick and natural stone facade of a 1870s-era building at the corner of Main and Washington streets in the village’s downtown.
The petitioner requested the village’s approval to paint the exterior of the building at 76-78 Main St. to create a cohesive look for the building, village officials said.
The village’s code prohibits the painting of brick, limestone or other natural stone to “retain the natural colors of the materials.” However, if the facade was painted prior to the adoption of the ordinance, the exterior can be repainted as part of normal maintenance, Oswego Development Services Director Rod Zenner said in his report to the Oswego Village Board.
“The petitioner started painting the structure as part of an exterior maintenance project several weeks ago,” Zenner said. Staff discovered that the brick was being painted in violation of the village ordinance, he said.
“The petitioner was not aware of this restriction in the code. By the time staff and the petitioner discussed the situation, the painting of the brick was nearly completed,” Zenner said, adding the petitioner subsequently filed for a variance.
Village staff recommended denial of the variance.
“The intent of the code is to preserve the look of brick and natural stone materials. These natural materials weather well in the elements and maintain their attractive look for a long period of time. Once painted, the materials lose their natural character and have to be repainted regularly to maintain a clean and attractive appearance,” Zenner said.
The petitioner had informed the village staff that they painted the brick to “create a cohesive look to the structure” since the upper half of the building had been altered over time to remove or cover the brick.
Staff said “the preservation of natural brick and stone” is important to maintain “the architectural design of structures” and “to preserve the character, especially for historic structures in the downtown.”
“Brick can last for hundreds of years,” Zenner said.
Village Trustee Jennifer Hughes suggested revising the code.
“If the primary issue is the condition of the brick, in some respects I question whether this provision should remain in the ordinance,” Hughes said. “If we are going to issue (a variance) every time we have bad brick, why have it.”
She further stated the existing code places building owners potentially in an “awkward position” of having to know a zoning code that applies uniquely to this type of structure.
“If we are going to issue a variance anyway, I don’t understand why we have to regulate it,” she said.
The petitioner’s request for the variance was granted.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
