Historic Commission Rejects Plan to Demolish House at 97 Sherman Avenue, Calls Proposed Replacement "Overly Busy"

An application to demolish the existing house at 97 Sherman Avenue and replace it with a new 3,400-to-3,800-square-foot home was withdrawn after the commission objected that the proposed materials weren't historic, the design was "overly busy," and no streetscape drawings had been provided showing how the new house would fit with its neighbors. The commission offered to have a subcommittee meet with the owner before the next meeting to work through revisions.

Two other applications were also withdrawn rather than approved. At 226 Forest Avenue, owner Ann Calderone wanted to replace her slate roof with synthetic slate; the commission rejected the synthetic material anywhere visible from the street, though it said the owner could use it on the rear of the house, which isn't visible. At 471 Belleville Avenue, Marian Neagoe's plan to enclose the front porch and replace the steps was withdrawn after the commission asked for more detail on the door, the vestibule, and the material trim around the door.

Two applications passed only after real dissent. At 254 Washington Street, the commission approved as-built deviations from a previously approved renovation -- including a taller roofline and changed gable pitch -- with six conditions, but commissioner Wright voted no. At 52 Adams Place, an application from Amanda and James Goodwin to replace concrete steps with wood was approved with drawing conditions, but Darby abstained. Separately, at 9 Hillside Avenue, the commission approved only the concept of an addition sought by Thomas and Jennifer Janofsky, requiring detailed, subcommittee-reviewed drawings before any final sign-off; architect-commissioner Wright stepped down and did not vote on that one.

The remaining applications were approved without dissent: a front porch restoration at 124 Midland Avenue, a siding replacement at 48 Lincoln Street, a deck at 411 Ridgewood Avenue, a deck extension at 127 Hillside Avenue (with a condition barring composite material on the posts), a rear addition at 19 Hamilton Road, front steps at 28 Herman Street (where the commission suggested bluestone over the proposed limestone), and window changes at 164 Forest Avenue, where commissioner Kopec -- the project's architect -- stepped down from voting.

What to watch

• Whether 97 Sherman Avenue's owner returns with a revised demolition and rebuilding plan after a subcommittee review offered ahead of the next meeting.
• Whether revised door and vestibule details satisfy the commission's concerns at 471 Belleville Avenue.