Two Ridgewood Avenue additions withdrawn after design pushback at preservation meeting
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The Historic Preservation Commission's February 4 meeting saw two applications withdrawn after commissioners pushed back on their designs. Owner Luisa Lebron withdrew a full-depth second-floor addition proposed for a 1950s ranch house at 26 Ridgewood Avenue after the commission objected -- for the second consecutive month -- to its "boxy" appearance, recommending she instead step the addition back with setbacks or expand into the rear yard. Separately, architect Richman Neumann withdrew a second-story addition and facade redesign proposed for 74 Ridgewood Avenue, a property that houses a pediatric office and daycare, after commissioners said the design failed to preserve the building's split-level character and pointed out discrepancies between the renderings and the drawings.
The commission approved replacing a slate roof with asphalt shingles at 90 Hillside Avenue, contingent on the owner documenting any historic roofing material found underneath during the work; resident Peter Harold spoke in public comment supporting the change, saying the asphalt shingles would stay visually compatible with the house. Commissioners also approved a rear one-story addition at 56 Sommer Avenue and a facade restoration reversing earlier non-historic alterations at 19 High Street, both with conditions to be finalized through subcommittee or administrative review.
The commission approved its January 2026 meeting minutes with Commissioner Nicholas Colello abstaining. Separately, Commissioner Greg Lane announced he was stepping down from the commission. Municipal court hearings on several long-pending violation cases -- 201 Hillside Avenue, 332 Ridgewood Avenue, 560 Ridgewood Avenue, and 242 Forest Avenue -- were pushed to late February and March.
What to watch
- 26 Ridgewood Avenue owner expected to return with a revised, less "boxy" design.
- 74 Ridgewood Avenue expected to return with a redesign addressing split-level character concerns.
- Municipal court hearings for four pending violation cases rescheduled to February 24 and March 24.