HPC approves four porch and addition projects, moves to press mayor on stalled preservation ordinance

Glen Ridge's Historic Preservation Commission's September 6, 2023 meeting was a routine hearing session, with all four applications approved unanimously. The commission approved a rear one-story addition to a Tudor Revival home at 10 Ferncliff Terrace for Doug and Leigh Brodman, with conditions requiring wood or fiberglass (not vinyl) windows matching the historic originals rather than more recent replacements. It also approved a front stair and railing rebuild at 31 Appleton Road, a front porch reconstruction at 92 High Street for James and Nancy Addis that settled after a debate over whether to add a fourth column (the commission opted to keep the original three-column design to match historic photos), and a porch column and railing replacement at 33 Lincoln Street.

In old business, Chair Geoffrey Darby reported he had spoken with a borough councilperson about why long-pending historic preservation ordinance changes had not yet been brought before the Borough Council. The commission agreed to send a formal letter to the mayor asking the council to review and vote on the proposed changes.

What to watch

• The commission's letter asking the mayor and Borough Council to review and vote on the pending preservation ordinance changes was not yet answered as of this meeting.