HPC Chair's Own Vote Blocks Unanimous Approval on Appleton Street Garage

The Historic Preservation Commission approved a run of routine residential applications at its September meeting, including rebuilding a chimney from the roofline up using salvaged brick at 140 Hillside Avenue, replacing garage doors with steel roll-up doors and removing a shed at 27 High Street, converting swing-style garage doors to overhead doors at 551 Belleville Avenue following storm damage, and building a fiberglass-columned pergola at 254 Ridgewood Avenue (subject to subcommittee review of detailed drawings). A proposal to replace a jalousie window partly with a storm window and partly with stucco at 10 Ferncliffe Terrace was withdrawn after the commission pointed out that replacing it with a same-size window wouldn't require HPC approval at all.

Notably, the vote to approve a replacement 12-by-20 garage set farther up the driveway at 21 Appleton Street was not unanimous: Chair Frank Herrigel himself voted No, while the rest of the commission voted Yes, and the application passed on the strength of the majority with a condition that the garage be placed six inches forward of the drainage line.

Subcommittee reports covered several ongoing matters: a railing sample for the Bank of America ADA ramp at 227 Ridgewood Avenue was reviewed and approved; smooth Hardiplank siding at 2 Brooklawn Road was approved; and a revised sketch for the Forest Avenue School sign drew requests for further changes. At 83 Douglas Road, Chair Herrigel reported that panels installed under a rear window didn't match the plans the commission had approved, and that the discrepancy was significant enough to warrant a full subcommittee hearing with the homeowner. During public comment, new owners of 176 Midland Avenue and 24 Edgewood Road each sought informal commission feedback ahead of formally filing applications for window and handrail changes, respectively.

What to watch

• 83 Douglas Road's homeowner is expected to appear before a subcommittee over siding panels that don't match the approved plans.
• The Forest Avenue School sign design is being revised again per commission feedback.
• New owners at 176 Midland Avenue and 24 Edgewood Road are expected to file formal applications for window and handrail changes.