Commission denies second slate-to-asphalt roof swap in as many meetings, citing $73,000 cost gap

For the second consecutive meeting, the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission denied a homeowner's request to replace a historic slate roof with asphalt shingles. At 24 Ridgewood Avenue, owners John and Elizabeth McSweeney said their leaking slate roof had been assessed by multiple roofers as beyond repair, and that a full slate replacement would cost $73,000 versus $14,000 for asphalt shingles -- more than they could afford. Commissioners said the district has a policy of preserving slate roofing as a rare, character-defining feature and voted unanimously to deny the roof-replacement request. A separate part of the same application, a second-story addition over the home's kitchen wing, was withdrawn by the owner, who plans to return with a revised design.

At 190 Midland Avenue, the commission approved a one-story rear addition for owner Nicole Rizzuto but explicitly excluded an asphalt shingle roof, which most members said was inappropriate for the architecturally distinctive house; Joaquin Stearns voted no on that motion. The owner was invited to return with either matching slate or a sample composite roofing material.

The commission also approved several smaller projects: window and porch renovations at 212 Hillside Avenue, 15 Victor Avenue, 28 Highland Avenue, and 189 Forest Avenue; a front stair modification at 56 Clark Street, from which owner and commissioner Nicholas Colello recused himself; and, at 77 Highland Avenue, demolition of an existing garage, with the owner set to return with an architect to present new construction plans.

What to watch

• Whether the owners of 24 Ridgewood Avenue return with a revised addition design.
• The new garage and pool house design expected from the owners of 77 Highland Avenue.
• A subcommittee's recommendation that a chimney-removal request at 73 Douglas Avenue go back to the full commission for review.