Five renovation permits approved as commission bids farewell to five-year member Ginny Moriarty

The Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission approved five historic renovation permits at its June 7, 2023 meeting, all with follow-up conditions to be reviewed by the commission's consultant or a subcommittee before work can proceed.

At 21 Herman Street, architect Javier Fuentes returned with a revised plan for a rear third-floor addition and attic dormer that left the building's street-facing front untouched; commissioners praised the applicant for addressing earlier concerns about the addition's height and massing, and approved the plan with minor trim conditions. At 34 Burnett Street, owner Janice Tawfiq's plan to convert attic space into a master suite with a new rear dormer was approved; Vice Chair Christine Yewaisis recused herself from that vote. At 50 Essex Avenue, Arianna and Raymond DeLorenzi's rear bathroom addition was approved, with commissioners asking for a way to visually distinguish the new work from the historic structure. At 186 Linden Avenue, Jason and Michelle Shuey's second-floor rear addition and attic dormer was approved with a condition to add a window on the east elevation to break up a blank wall. At 39 Wildwood Terrace, Daniel and Carmen Pence's front porch reconstruction, including new railings sized to meet code height while preserving the historic stone piers, was approved; commissioner Nicholas Colello recused himself from that vote.

The commission closed the meeting by thanking outgoing member Ginny Moriarty, who is leaving after five years of service, for her work on the board. Chair Geoffrey Darby noted he still had not heard back from the Borough on a separate letter seeking action on previously proposed ordinance changes.

What to watch

• Whether the Borough responds to the commission's renewed request for movement on long-pending historic-district ordinance changes.