Commission Approves Synthetic Slate Roof on Washington Street Home Over Vice Chair's Objection

At its July 1, 2020 meeting, the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission approved a departure from its usual preference for original slate roofing. Owners Timothy and Lana Keppel of 298 Washington Street sought to replace slate on their upper roof with synthetic slate, citing structural stress on the roof frame and a desire for a more uniform appearance; only about 40% of the home's roof is still original slate, the rest already synthetic from an earlier approval. Vice Chair Sarah Githens noted the commission has generally taken a firm stand to preserve slate roofs as a rare, defining feature of the historic district, and cast the only no vote as the application passed 4-1, with conditions requiring matching copper gutters, chimney details, and horizontal (rather than vertical) siding on a dormer. Geoffrey Darby recused himself from the vote.

Two other applications were approved unanimously: a garage rebuild at 64 Hawthorne Avenue for Jennifer Cooper and Darrin Hubert after their previous garage was destroyed by a fallen tree, and replacement of aluminum siding with Hardie Board at 45 Ridgewood Avenue for Jonathan and Lisa Wolfe, whose home was also damaged by a fallen tree.

In other business, the commission reported that its Certified Local Government grant application for a townwide historic design guidelines project had been awarded by the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, and discussed early findings from a Master Plan reexamination report, including questions about how the town's land use ordinance should be updated. Members also began discussing whether to formally identify "special properties" within the historic district to help guide future decisions on solar panels and roofing.

What to watch

• A subcommittee working with Bank of America's Ridgewood Avenue branch on a lighting redesign expects the applicant to return in August 2020.
• An emergency retaining wall replacement at 20 Argyle Street is being reviewed by the commission's consultant as minor work.