Commission Approves Carriage House Overhaul Over Chair Herrigel's Objection

At its December 2, 2020 meeting, the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission approved a renovation of a deteriorated carriage house at 142 Ridgewood Avenue for owners Eva and Frank Reda over the objection of its own chair. The plan, presented by architect Mark Wright, included replacing the foundation, restoring a center support post, and reconfiguring garage doors and windows; after discussion of the size and detailing of a south-facing dormer, the application passed 4-1 with Chair Robert Herrigel casting the sole no vote.

Elsewhere, a returning application from Abe Litchfield at 281 Bay Avenue -- where the commission had previously found the proposed deck railing details insufficient -- won approval after the owner agreed to source patching siding from less visible parts of the building. Six other applications were approved unanimously: a chimney removal at 27 Willow Street for Rosemarie McAndrew; correction of a poorly executed 1980s rear addition at 388 Ridgewood Avenue for Marty and Elizabeth Boudreau; a second-story addition at 18 Summit Avenue for Elizabeth and Miguel Nieves, on condition the owners remove three side-elevation shutters; a garage rebuild at 56 Benson Street for Robert Loeb, with Vice Chair Sarah Githens recusing herself; and a garage removal and rebuild at 30 Forest Avenue for Jennifer Jones, with the commission warning the project could be sent back for full review if a subcommittee cannot agree on the final design.

The commission also continued monitoring a compliance issue at 12 Mitchell Place, where a contractor initially installed deck railings that did not match approved plans but corrected them after being notified.

What to watch

• The Board of Education superintendent is expected to meet with an HPC representative about high school lighting.
• The 30 Forest Avenue garage design could be returned to the full commission if the subcommittee cannot reach consensus.