Coleman Ave. renovations hit bump with Lewes HPARC

The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission told the Daisey family to go back to the drawing board on proposed renovations to their property at 111 Coleman Ave.

Darnell Daisey and his brother, Darryl Daisey, presented plans at HPARC’s Dec. 7 meeting. They displayed a photo of their great-great uncle, William S. Daisey, and his wife, Elsie Draine.

“These were the folks who lived in the house, bought the house in 1920. We want to celebrate their lives as we go through the process,” Darnell said.

The house was built in 1870 and was once servants’ quarters in the backyard of 110 Fourth St.

HPARC considers it to be a contributing structure to the Lewes Historic District.

The Daiseys’ detailed presentation included family photos of the property dating back to 1920. They said the house has been rented since 1956. Their goal is to continue renting it as affordable housing for traveling nurses and doctors, because of its location about one block from Beebe Healthcare.

The proposed renovations would completely remake the house inside and out, including building a second-story addition in the rear.

But, commissioners focused mainly on the impact of changes to the front elevation of the property.

The Daiseys want to remove the chimney, add a roof peak and upper window, extend the roof over the front porch and add a second window on the first floor.

The commissioners said the design does not meet HPARC’s criteria.

“You have not done an addition that respects that historic house. That’s a major concern,” said HPARC Chair Barbara Warnell. 

She used the chimney and porch as examples.

“You can keep them or remove them, but you can’t create something that was never on this house,” she said.

“This was servants’ quarters. We want it to be historically significant, but we don’t want it to be servants’ quarters,” said Darryl. “The street has evolved into a very nice street. It is not a street of servants’ quarters.”

Coleman Avenue neighbor Deb Hansen said her house is only 4-feet-2-inches from the Daisey property. She said she is eager and anxious to see what is going to happen, especially with the addition of a second story.

“I’m concerned about being able to see the sky because there is going to be a two-story wall running against the majority of my property,” Hansen said. “This construction is going to have a major impact on me and my yard.”

The Daiseys said they will work with their architect to make changes that will satisfy the commission.

HPARC did not take any action. It will continue the discussion at a future meeting.

This was not the first time Darnell and Darryl Daisey appeared before HPARC. They, and other family members, had argued that they should be allowed to demolish their house at 331 Chestnut St., even though it was a contributing structure.

in September, the commission changed the status to non-contributing, then approved the demolition.

Those decisions ended a contentious and racially charged 10-month process.

At the Dec. 7 HPARC meeting, the Daiseys said they had considered tearing down 111 Coleman Ave. – it would have been slightly less expensive – but they said honoring family history was a major consideration for their decision to renovate instead.