Planning Board Upholds Denial of Asphalt Roof at 354 Washington Street, Advances Baldwin Street 'Area in Need of Redevelopment' Designation

The Board adopted a memorializing resolution upholding the Historic Preservation Commission's August 2, 2017 denial of Christa Bachman and Ilker Oklen's request to replace the slate roof on their 354 Washington Street home with GAF Timberline HD asphalt shingles, finding the material inconsistent with the historic house's architecture and the surrounding streetscape (members Murphy and Rohal abstaining).

Separately, planner Jeffrey Janota of H2M presented a Preliminary Investigation Report on the Baldwin Street area, covering properties at Block 72, Lots 2, 3, 4, 9, and 10, describing the site's largely nonconforming existing uses. The Board unanimously adopted a resolution finding the properties meet the statutory criteria for designation as an "Area in Need of Redevelopment" under state law and recommended that designation to the Borough Council. No public comment was made.