Historic Panel Requires Brick Fix for Unauthorized Willow Street Renovation, Denies As-Built Approval

The commission spent much of its January 5 meeting on 43 Willow Street, where owner Jason Awad had installed vertical board-and-batten vinyl siding on the front and horizontal vinyl siding on the sides, clad the retaining walls, foundation, and chimney in a modern stone material, and replaced the front stair railings -- all without prior HPC review or approval. Members said vinyl is not historically appropriate and that the stone cladding, which replaced a thin brick veneer, should be removed and replaced with brick matching the existing front stairs. Some members floated a compromise allowing vinyl to remain on the side elevations while requiring a fix at the front, but were not convinced that approach avoided setting a bad precedent for other applicants who have made similar requests and been denied. On a first motion, the commission approved the brick-veneer fix for the foundation and chimney and directed Awad to return with a new proposal for the siding, railings, and retaining wall; that vote was not unanimous, with Lynn Vande Stouwe voting No. On a second motion, the commission then voted unanimously to deny approval of the as-built conditions as they currently stand.

In organizational business, the commission elected Geoffrey Darby as Chair and Lynn Vande Stouwe as Vice Chair for 2022, appointed Margaret Hickey as Secretary, and unanimously adopted its by-laws without changes and its 2022 meeting schedule.

Other applications were approved unanimously with conditions: a resubmitted renovation and addition at 61 Willow Street; a one-story rear addition at 215 Forest Avenue (Vande Stouwe recused); removal of vinyl siding and fake brick in favor of Hardie siding at 34 Edgewood Road; a new stair and deck at 138 Sherman Avenue (Dan McMahon recused); and a rear addition and side porch at 10 Wildwood Terrace. The HPC consultant recommended against applying for a state historic preservation grant this year.

What to watch

• 43 Willow Street's owner must return with a new proposal addressing the siding, stair railings, and retaining wall.