Historic panel cites two Glen Ridge homeowners for unpermitted work while clearing five other renovation applications
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Glen Ridge's Historic Preservation Commission disclosed at its June 5, 2024 meeting that two homeowners had done exterior work without required prior approval: removal of a slate roof at 385 Forest Avenue and changes to the front porch at 117 Hillside Avenue. Both owners have been issued citations and fines by the Building Department, and the commission's consultant is working to resolve both cases.
On the evening's applications, the commission approved a two-story side and rear addition at 96 Sherman Avenue for Alissa and Zubin Jelveh, with conditions to eliminate one front-facing second-floor window and align window head heights for better proportion. It approved returning a slate roof (previously changed to asphalt) and matching slate dormer cladding at 20 Hillcrest Road for Marc and Polly Murphy, and a second-floor addition over an existing side wing at 48 Glen Ridge Parkway for Karen Galbraith. At 39 Woodland Avenue, the commission approved a front portico replacement on the condition that an existing fanlight window be preserved via a shadowbox treatment rather than removed, and separately approved a three-foot rear porch extension.
One application was withdrawn: at 174 Bay Avenue, owner Nebojsa Stojcinovic sought to remove distinctive jerkinhead roof features to gain attic space, but the commission said the jerkinheads were a unique, worth-preserving feature and asked for a design that retains them in some reduced form; the application was pulled to be reworked. Minutes from February, March, and April 2024 were approved with commissioner Robert Deacon abstaining. The commission also agreed to move its July meeting from July 3 to July 2 to avoid the holiday.
What to watch
- 174 Bay Avenue is expected to return with a revised design that retains at least part of the jerkinhead roof feature.
- Resolution of the citations against the owners at 385 Forest Avenue and 117 Hillside Avenue for unpermitted work remains pending.