HPC Approves Country Club's Golf and Tennis Building, Tables Clubhouse and Twin Ridgewood Houses
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The Historic Preservation Commission advanced the Glen Ridge Country Club's larger renovation plan by approving only the Golf/Tennis Building portion at 555 Ridgewood Avenue, on condition that windows be wood with simulated divided lite, that a subcommittee approve the railing system, and that a subcommittee visit installed sites of the proposed "New Cedar" siding product before ruling on it; the Main Clubhouse and Pool Building components were not voted on at this meeting. Separately, the commission tabled -- without a vote -- Faith Caggiano's proposal to demolish the existing house at 437 Ridgewood Avenue and build two new homes, requesting a subcommittee meeting before the next presentation to work through massing and spacing concerns relative to the neighboring houses.
A slate of smaller residential applications was approved unanimously: converting an existing dormer to a gable at 42 Herman Street for Syme Development; a kitchen-related rear addition at 172 Hawthorne Avenue for Peter and Susan Hughes, with a condition addressing a prominent gas-fireplace vent; a two-story rear addition at 284 Forest Avenue for Jason and Megan Hall; a window resizing at 72 Winsor Place for Jason and Jennifer Moshos, returning after the commission had asked for more information in April; shed dormers with 8-over-1 windows at 137 Midland Avenue for Brandon and Susan Pracht; a porch enclosure and small rear addition at 7 Appleton Road for Peter and Kendall Voss; a new rear porch at 29 Outlook Place for Ron and Shay Bongo; and closing up two windows at 28 Herman Street for Timothy and Deanna Pagano. Bank of America's application to modify its ADA ramp at 227 Ridgewood Avenue was withdrawn as incomplete.
During public comment, neighbors Melissa Woertz, Lynn Kulik and Mike Bellinger all raised concerns about the proposed twin houses at 437 Ridgewood Avenue -- citing a "cookie cutter" appearance, materials out of keeping with the streetscape, and the absence of chimneys on the new designs. Commissioner Murphy responded that a chimney shouldn't be added "for chimney's sake" and assured neighbors the commission was scrutinizing the project's details closely.
What to watch
- The 437 Ridgewood Avenue twin-house proposal is tabled pending a subcommittee meeting before its next commission presentation.
- The Glen Ridge Country Club's Main Clubhouse and Pool Building components still need commission review and a vote.
- A subcommittee must visit sites with the proposed "New Cedar" siding and rule on it for the Country Club project.
- Bank of America is expected to resubmit a complete ADA ramp application for 227 Ridgewood Avenue.