Pool cited a letter from the state Department of Historic Resources, which administers the federal tax credit program in Virginia. The letter called the windowless facade one of the building’s historic features. He said it was wrong to take money aimed at preserving historic structures only to “goof it up” later.

Pool was also responsible for raising concerns in 2014 that led the developers to reconsider their initial plans for the space.

In response to Pool’s statements Monday, White said the state was aware of the plans and had no objections. He also noted that it was the city — not him — pushing for windows to be installed later. He said he only agreed to the arrangement to satisfy their concerns.

“It’s not something we’re trying to do,” he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Historic Resources was not able to comment on the situation. In either case, neither the presence of windows nor the historic preservation of the building appeared to figure into the Planning Commission’s decision.

Commission member Jeff Sadler said he cast his lone dissenting vote because "the historic tax credits are providing an incentive for poor land use," and that he'd like to see a denser development.