Split vote over corrective plan for 3 Laurel Place garage built out of compliance

The Historic Preservation Commission's May 6 meeting produced its most contested vote in recent memory over 3 Laurel Place, where owner Giovanny Calle's newly built garage was found to differ from the design the commission had approved in September 2025 -- different garage-door panel styles, smaller light fixtures than approved, and a security-camera light installed in the middle of a panel instead of to the side. After lengthy discussion, the commission approved a corrective plan requiring replacement of the light fixtures, relocation of the security light, and fixes to the soffit and corner-board details, but only 5-2-1: Commissioners Peter Korian and Robert Deacon voted no, and Chair Christine Yewaisis abstained.

Also that night, a retroactive approval request for an already-built rear deck and pergola at 332 Ridgewood Avenue was deferred for a second time after the applicants failed to show up despite having confirmed they would attend; no vote was taken. A previously discussed addition at 63 Ridgewood Avenue was noted to have been withdrawn by the applicant before this meeting.

The commission otherwise approved several projects without incident: a scaled-down rear addition and window changes at 4 Hamilton Road, a one-story rear kitchen addition at 236 Forest Avenue, and -- despite the applicant not presenting or attending -- a unanimous approval of a previously discussed second-floor addition at 74 Ridgewood Avenue.

What to watch

• 332 Ridgewood Avenue's retroactive deck/pergola request remains unresolved after a second no-show by the owners.
• Contractor's remediation plan for 3 Laurel Place subject to subcommittee follow-up.