Schackner Dissents as HPC Approves Twin New Houses on Ridgewood Avenue

The Historic Preservation Commission approved a long-pending proposal to demolish the existing house at 437 Ridgewood Avenue and build two new homes in its place, after the applicant incorporated months of commission and public feedback. Each house was voted on separately, with conditions requiring painted wood trim, tongue-and-groove wood pediments and arched panels, historic-profile sills, centered balcony posts, and differing siding colors between the two houses to avoid a "cookie cutter" look; commissioner Schackner cast the sole No vote on both the House 01 and House 02 motions, while the rest of the commission voted Yes. Decorative details on both houses were referred to a subcommittee for further review.

Other applications moved through without objection: an enclosed rear porch, relocated stairs and window swap as part of a kitchen renovation at 11 Forest Avenue for Andrew and Stephanie Song; two backyard pergolas at 121 Forest Avenue for Charles Lawson, who excused himself from the meeting as a commissioner before the vote on his own application; a chimney removal at 2 Freeman Parkway for Ike Ibeh; and a deck-to-patio conversion with new stoop and stairs at 9 Rudd Court for Warren and Lyenda Delp, subject to subcommittee review of the railing design. A shed-rebuilding proposal at 27 High Street was withdrawn pending more detailed elevations and material notes, and a deck replacement at 41 Forest Avenue was withdrawn after the commission requested additional drawings.

In subcommittee business, Schackner and Wright reported favorably on a "New Cedar" shingle sample proposed as siding for the Glen Ridge Country Club, though the commission reserved approval of the actual paint color given the difficulty of repainting later; a railing sample for the club was also approved. During public comment, Melissa Woertz of 431 Ridgewood Avenue raised concerns about the 437 Ridgewood Avenue project's materials and window sills and asked that siding differ between the two new houses. The meeting closed with a proclamation honoring outgoing commissioner Amy Graydon for 23 years of service, as she and her family were moving out of Glen Ridge.

What to watch

• Decorative elements and soffit/porch/baluster details for both new houses at 437 Ridgewood Avenue are pending subcommittee review.
• The Glen Ridge Country Club's proposed cedar-shingle siding color still requires formal commission approval.
• 9 Rudd Court's railing design awaits subcommittee sign-off.
• 41 Forest Avenue (Harrison) and 27 High Street (Manna) are expected to resubmit with additional detail.