Historic Commission Approves New Carport, Garage Expansion Over Dissenting Votes

At its December 4, 2019 meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission approved a new two-car carport at 52 Clark Street for owner Jeff Kogan, replacing a former garage, but Commissioner Moriarty cast the lone dissenting vote after raising concern the open structure could become an eyesore used for storage; the owner said stored items like lawn mowers are kept in the basement because of a theft problem. Separately, a garage expansion at 26 Appleton Road for David and Anca Maiotti passed with Commissioner Githens voting no after members debated at length whether a two-bay-wide garage was appropriate for a relatively small lot; a companion application for a rear deck at the same property passed unanimously. At 27 Woodland Avenue, a two-story side addition and rear deck for owner Liane Fisher were approved with Commissioner Switzer abstaining.

Several other applications passed without objection: a kitchen and garage conversion at 442 Ridgewood Avenue for Alicia Dee (conditioned on using composite or wood, not vinyl, windows and doors); a kitchen relocation and garage addition at 26 Old Oak Road for Paul and Kathleen Marhan, where the commission recommended a 12-light door over a lattice alternative; and a porch extension at 350 Ridgewood Avenue for Nicole and Michael Quinn, with Commissioner Vande Stouwe recused.

In old business, the commission's consultant reported a Certified Local Government grant application -- with a maximum award of $24,999 and no local match required -- is due January 21, 2020, to fund design guidelines addressing solar panel installations borough-wide. A homeowner workshop on preservation topics, featuring a carpentry contractor and a slate/tile roofing specialist, is being planned for late March 2020. The commission also noted it needs to fill a vacant seat, preferably with a resident architect.

What to watch

• The commission's Certified Local Government grant application for borough-wide design guidelines, including solar panel rules, is due January 21, 2020.
• A homeowner preservation workshop is being planned for late March 2020.