Historic Commission Splits 5-2 on Belleville Avenue Addition, Advances Ordinance Expanding Review to Doors

The most contested vote at the Historic Preservation Commission's November 2, 2022 meeting involved 551 Belleville Avenue, where Fara and Matthew Saathoff's two-story rear addition -- a returning application after size concerns raised the prior month -- passed only 5-2. Commissioners Nicholas Colello and Christine Yewaisis both voted no, despite revisions that brought the addition in four inches on each side, softened the rooflines, and lowered the ridge; they argued the massing still looked too large against the main house and would be prominent from the adjacent park. Other members, including Joaquin Stearns, Dan McMahon, and Chair Darby, felt the concerns were resolved by the property's elevated site and its size.

The commission also voted (with Stearns and Korian absent) to recommend that the Borough Council expand HPC review authority to cover replacement of doors and modifications to a material's texture -- not just windows and siding -- after architects Mark Wright and Karin Robinson urged the additions during public comment. Separately, the commission is revising its application process: preliminary applications will need to be submitted at least 20 days before a meeting and final applications 9 days before, changes expected to take effect starting with the February 2023 meeting; some minor applications may also shift to subcommittee-only review pending further bylaw changes.

Other applications were approved unanimously: a rear addition and garage at 30 Willow Street for Latoya Massey and Derrick Gordon; a side porch restoration at 37 Douglas Road for Joseph and Karima Ravenell; window and skylight changes at 41 Old Oak Road for Christina Soto and Robert Howell (conditioned on removing proposed domed skylights); and a second-story addition at 42 Woodland Avenue for Jigar Shah and Nina Kundra. The commission also approved its September 7, 2022 meeting minutes with Chair Darby abstaining, and its October 6, 2022 minutes with Commissioner Stearns abstaining.

What to watch

• Ordinance changes expanding HPC review to doors and material texture now head to the Borough Council for adoption.
• New application submission deadlines (20 days for preliminary applications, 9 days for final applications) are expected to take effect at the February 2023 meeting.