By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Two businesses – a catering company and a burger eatery – and a house are one step closer to calling the Madison Historic District “home.”
The Madison Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approved two applications, each of which wanted to alter a historic building and construct additions. They also went through a conceptual review for a third applicant.
Hallie Duan, Curtis J. Whitsel of Whitsel Construction Services, Inc. in Danielsville, and Jim Wilson of Wilson & Dawson, Architects, Inc. in Atlanta received approval to alter openings and construct an addition on Duan’s three-acre property at 1080 Old Mill Road.
The building processed cottonseed oil in the 1930s. Duan plans to relocate her business, Hallie Jane’s Catering, to this location once renovations are complete.
HPC Consultant Ken Kocher noted three of the things the HPC needed to do when considering this application: limit alterations as much as possible, strive for a balance between compatibility and differentiation, and finally, limit the loss of historic materials.
“Most of the changes meet these goals,” he said. He then recommended approving the application as submitted. 
HPC Commissioner Joseph Smith recused himself prior to presenting designs to alter the façade and construct an addition at 139 E. Jefferson St. The owners of Ricky D’s Burgers and Fries plan to open up the original front windows and include seating for eating as well as for a theater area.
The application was approved.
Weldon Crook presented plans for a new home to be built on Jasper Street. His conceptual review went smoothly. Crook plans to build a one-and-a-half story bungalow style building with a porch and a semi-detached or detached garage. 
Printed in the December 27, 2012 edition