Historic Commission Splits 2-Vote Dissent Over Two-Dormer Design at 67 Midland Avenue

The Historic Preservation Commission's remote June 3, 2020 meeting (held by video conference) featured its most contested vote in months over 67 Midland Avenue, where owner John Hessell proposed remodeling the front entrance and adding a second floor with two front dormers and one rear dormer to his Cape Cod. Commissioner Switzer argued a single continuous dormer would suit the house's small footprint better and wanted to preserve two existing light fixtures and a keystone slated for removal, but his motion to send the design back for changes failed for lack of a second. After further debate about the dormers appearing to conflict with a new entrance canopy, the commission approved the application as submitted, with conditions to clarify the porch and window details on the drawings -- but Commissioners Switzer and Grisafi voted no.

Three other applications passed without dissent. At 42 Glen Ridge Parkway, Chair Herrigel recused himself (as an applicant) while the board approved a front roof overhang for Peter Herrigel and Caroline Gentile, adding a support plinth and specifying copper flashing; Commissioner Switzer abstained. At 31 Highland Avenue, James Douglas's plan to rebuild a two-car garage and convert a side porch into a mud room was approved unanimously with Herrigel again recused. At 204 Forest Avenue, Renee and David Kenas won unanimous approval to add a second-story master suite above an existing rear addition, conditioned on adding shutters and providing window cut sheets.

The commission also reviewed a borough sidewalk/ADA curb-cut project on Midland Avenue, requiring the concrete match previously approved work and that gas lamps and bluestone remain undisturbed. In subcommittee reports, members disagreed about whether the property at 498 Ridgewood Avenue was being kept up. The commission noted it is short a member and would like to fill the vacancy with an architect.