HPC Approves Window Reduction Over Herrigel's Dissenting Vote; Large Rear Addition Withdrawn as "Too Bulky"

On November 4, 2015, the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission approved a kitchen-related window-size reduction at 5 Mead Terrace for homeowners Laura and Eddie Van Bloem despite a no vote from Chair Herrigel; every other voting member said yes, and the application passed with conditions requiring a casement-style window, matching trim and sill, and narrow muntins to match the existing house.

At 15 Hillcrest Road, homeowners Glen and Meredith Barrentine won unanimous approval to enlarge a kitchen bay window and add a one-car garage with a breezeway link. Architect of record Mark Wright did not vote on the application (recorded as "did not vote") and stepped down from the table for that item, standard practice when a commissioner is also the applicant's own architect; he rejoined the commission once the vote was taken. Chair Herrigel voted yes on this application.

A three-story rear-and-side addition proposed by Crissa Lodewick at 163 Carteret Street was withdrawn after the commission called the upper two floors too large and bulky for the house and its neighborhood, and criticized the roof as too flat with insufficient pitch. Commissioners suggested the owner return with more than one design option and a site plan. Commissioner Kopec stepped down for this item and rejoined afterward. A separate application at 6 Spencer Road, a rear bathroom addition for Zara and Larry Rudman, was approved unanimously.

In subcommittee reports, the commission said reviewers did not approve a window sample submitted for 437 Ridgewood Avenue or an initial sign design proposed for Forest Avenue School; a revised version of the Forest Avenue School sign was reviewed and approved later in the same meeting.