Commissioner recuses himself, then returns, as historic panel approves six projects

Commissioner Nicholas Colello formally recused himself before the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed a kitchen extension at 35 Stanford Place for owner Thomas Johnston at its August 2 meeting, then rejoined once the application -- approved unanimously -- was finished. The minutes don't explain the reason for the recusal.

Owners Richard and Maria Waters won approval, with conditions, for a rear porch and deck expansion and new mudroom at 270 Maolis Avenue; resident John Faulk spoke in public comment in support of the design.

The commission also approved a screened porch and kitchen addition at 72 Windsor Place; a garage rebuild at 44 Glen Ridge Parkway to replace one destroyed in a storm, with conditions including reducing the garage's width and correcting mislabeled drawings; and a second-story addition over an existing porch at 85 Douglas Road, subject to an extensive list of design conditions including lowering the roof pitch by at least two feet. A proposed rear addition at 10 Ferncliff Terrace was withdrawn after commissioners said the drawings were too vague to assess its compatibility with the historic Tudor Revival house, with owners asked to resubmit with more detail.

Chair Geoffrey Darby said he continues pressing a borough councilperson to bring long-pending historic-preservation ordinance changes to a vote. Dina Deshan was announced as a new alternate commission member.

What to watch

• Ordinance-change vote still pending before the Borough Council, per Chair Darby.
• 10 Ferncliff Terrace expected to resubmit its rear-addition plan with more detail.