Neighbors Object to Rear Addition at 498 Ridgewood Avenue as Historic Commission Reorganizes for 2020

The Historic Preservation Commission opened 2020 at its January 8 meeting by re-electing Chair Herrigel and Vice Chair Githens, appointing Margaret Hickey as secretary, and adopting revised bylaws (after discussion about recording requirements and how continuations versus outright application withdrawals should be handled) and a 2020 meeting schedule. New Planning and Development Director Erik DeLine, who took over after Michael Zichelli moved up to Borough Administrator, presented preliminary findings from the town's Master Plan re-examination survey, in which residents cited the architecture and historic character of Glen Ridge as reasons they like living there. Commissioners said they want the plan to include stronger guidance discouraging teardowns in the historic district and expressed interest in gaining more authority over window replacements.

The commission's application for a rear addition at 498 Ridgewood Avenue drew public pushback. Neighbor John Russo, who lives on Ridgewood Avenue, told the commission that adding a second floor at 498 Ridgewood would loom over his property line since the lot is much deeper than his own; neighbor Darren O'Neill, of Stanford Place, said a proposed exterior metal stair didn't fit the character of the historic district. The commission agreed the submitted drawings were inaccurate in places and asked owner Asif Ahmed to rework the design with his architect, incorporating the neighbors' concerns, before returning in February. A separate application for 164 Carteret Street was also continued to February after extensive discussion of its massing and detailing.

In the evening's other business, the commission approved, without objection, a new sign for the Board of Education's Central School along Bloomfield Avenue, similar to signs already installed at Forest and Linden Avenue Schools.

What to watch

• Both the 498 Ridgewood Avenue addition and the 164 Carteret Street renovation were continued and are expected to return before the commission at its February 2020 meeting with revised plans.