Glen Ridge preservation commission approves five projects, from garage rebuilds to a rear addition

Returning with a scaled-down proposal, owners David Surti and Nina Patel won approval at the Historic Preservation Commission's December 4 meeting to demolish their existing garage at 107 Clark Street and build a new three-car garage, on the condition that it be aligned with the setback of an existing neighboring single-car garage and that its doors be reduced to a more standard size.

The commission also approved, each with its own set of design conditions: a rear dormer addition at 68 Hawthorne Avenue (lower roofline, matching 6-over-6 windows); a garage and side-porch addition at 231 Baldwin Street, where Commissioner Jeff Link recused himself from the vote and a resident noted in public comment that a neighboring garage used as design inspiration had been designed by her partner; a porch enclosure at 84 Hawthorne Avenue; a two-story rear addition at 4 Hamilton Road; and, in two separate votes, a garden-wall reconstruction and a garage-door change at 39 Woodland Avenue.

The commission approved its July 2024 meeting minutes with Commissioner Joaquin Stearns abstaining. Members also discussed applying for a state Certified Local Government grant and possibly re-surveying older historic-district properties to update which are considered "contributing."

What to watch

• HPC plans to shift to in-person meetings starting January 2025 as a new consultant joins.