Two major additions withdrawn amid design concerns as commission works through seven other applications

Two significant addition proposals were withdrawn this meeting after commissioners said they weren't prepared to vote given unresolved design issues. At 340 Ridgewood Avenue, Joaquin Fernandez's plan to raise the roof and add along the Baldwin Street frontage of a split-level house drew extensive commission concerns about dormer placement, the front entrance's design, and heavy massing along Baldwin Street; commissioners asked for a streetscape view, possible 3-D rendering, and roof plan before it returns. At 150 Ridgewood Avenue, Sebastian Voltarelli's plan to add a second story over most of his ranch-style home drew similar concerns about window spacing, gaps between windows and the cornice, and missing streetscape context; that application was also withdrawn pending revisions.

The commission spent significant time reviewing the "Clarus Project," a four-story apartment complex on Baldwin Street from Glen Ridge Redevelops, LLC that had previously won massing approval. After reviewing rendered drawings and a material board in detail, the commission approved the project's material articulation unanimously, with only the garage door opening's detailing left to be refined by subcommittee. Commissioners separately noted the project's exterior sign will need future HPC review, and that a fence installed as part of a related demolition used the wrong type of chain link.

Seven smaller renovation applications were approved unanimously: entablature and cornice repairs at 8 Hamilton Road, kitchen and mud room window changes at 88 Essex Avenue, a mud room and kitchen extension at 45 Douglas Road, a similar kitchen extension at 151 Ridgewood Avenue, a rear deck at 380 Ridgewood Avenue (with member Vande Stouwe recused), front-door and window changes at 38 Ridgewood Avenue, and a two-story rear addition at 16 Oakwood Avenue.

What to watch

• The owners of 340 Ridgewood Avenue and 150 Ridgewood Avenue are expected to return with revised designs, including streetscape renderings.
• The Clarus Project's exterior sign will require a future HPC review once its design is finalized.