State preservation office praises Glen Ridge commission's process, urges more formal votes on subcommittee decisions

The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office reviewed the Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission's work and gave it generally positive marks, according to Chair Geoffrey Darby and consultant Margaret Hickey at the commission's March 1, 2023 meeting. The state office's main suggestions were that the commission take official votes to formally acknowledge subcommittee review decisions rather than treating them as final on their own, and that members frame feedback to applicants around the commission's written design guidelines rather than personal opinions about design choices. The office also praised Darby's practice of explaining the hearing process to applicants at the start of each meeting.

Acting on that feedback, the commission voted to formally approve two recent subcommittee reviews: changes to a porch and chimney at 73 Douglas Road, and a rear second-floor addition at 29 Winsor Place.

On new applications, the commission approved a second-story addition to a previously approved one-story addition at 196 Ridgewood Avenue, with a condition to simplify the dormer eaves. It also approved a three-season porch addition at 76 Willow Street that will use moveable vinyl window panels; commissioners said such material could not go on a front-facing elevation and would need to be evaluated case by case, and asked the architect to provide a physical sample for review.

What to watch

• A public meeting on proposed historic-district ordinance changes, scheduled for March 7, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.