Commissioner abstains on rear-yard pergola and hot tub plan at 170 Ridgewood Avenue

The Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission's February 1, 2023 meeting included a rare abstention: on a revised, scaled-back pergola, hot tub, and outdoor kitchen application at 170 Ridgewood Avenue from owners Leslie and Colin Convey, Vice Chair Christine Yewaisis abstained from the vote after saying throughout the discussion that she still found the overall proposal overwhelming for the property, even though it had been reduced in size since an earlier submission. Ginny Moriarty recused herself from that vote entirely. The application was approved on a motion from Joaquin Stearns, with conditions requiring more detail on the pergola's columns, trim, and stonework.

Earlier, the commission approved an exterior rehabilitation and small second-story addition at 30 Snowden Place; Chair Geoffrey Darby recused himself from that vote. The commission also approved a rear deck at 14 Lincoln Street, a bathroom conversion at 108 Essex Avenue, and a rear second-floor addition at 29 Windsor Place, the last with a condition to simplify an overly complicated roofline.

In other business, the commission approved minutes from its November and December 2022 meetings, with members Jeff Link and Robert Deacon abstaining from that procedural vote.

What to watch

• A public meeting on proposed ordinance changes, expected to be held February 22 or 23, 2023.