“Planning at the outset of a project to make inappropriate alterations as soon as the five-year look-back period expires is very disturbing and is an affront to the thousands who have used the tax credit program for its intended purpose, with long-term preservation in mind,” she said.

She said the possibility that the city would require windows be added in the future was not disclosed in either application materials or “protracted discussions.”

She said the project has been “particularly challenging” and that it’s the department’s view that the building “does not easily lend itself to use as apartments and that by pursuing this use, the path to certification was long and difficult.”

The department said it’s now asking for an amended application so its eligibility for the tax credit program can be “fully considered.”

In response, White said he’s asked for the City Council to defer action on the special use permit to allow time to work out the issue with the Department of Historic Resources and the city’s planning department.

The Planning Commission has already voted to approve the permit.