Historic commission takes up unpermitted pergola and fireplace at 332 Ridgewood Avenue

Owners Jason and Kathryn Connor appeared before the Historic Preservation Commission after a violation was discovered at 332 Ridgewood Avenue: a rear pergola and exterior fireplace, visible from the street, that had been built without the required historic renovation permit. Commissioners objected to framing a wood pergola over an open fire feature and to the aluminum railings and vinyl lattice used, saying they should be swapped for more traditional materials. A straw poll found only two commissioners thought the fireplace's placement could be fixed with design changes, while six said it needed to be removed from view entirely. The owner agreed to explore options and return to the commission; the panel voted to carry the matter to a future meeting, with Commissioner Colello abstaining.

Separately, owner Luisa Lebron and architect Daniel Kopec returned for a fourth time (after presenting in January, February, and March) with a revised second-floor addition to a 1950s ranch house at 26 Ridgewood Avenue. After discussing dormer size, window placement, and porch columns, the commission approved the project unanimously, pending a subcommittee review of further adjustments. A separate second-floor addition proposed for 74 Ridgewood Avenue, a 1951 historic property used as a pediatric office and daycare, was withdrawn by architect Richman Neumann after commissioners called removing the original brick and raising the first-floor ceiling height a "non-starter" under preservation rules.

A portico addition at 237 Sherman Avenue was approved with Vice Chair Stearns abstaining, and unrelated projects -- a historic porch restoration at 18 Hillside Avenue and a rear addition with an attached garage at 54 Hillside Avenue -- were both approved without objection. Two other applications, for 7 Summit Street and 138 Ridgewood Avenue, were not heard because the applicants did not show up; 7 Summit Street was later found to have already been approved administratively and should not have been on the agenda. The commission welcomed new member Tessa Nesta.

What to watch

• The 332 Ridgewood Avenue pergola and fireplace violation is expected to return to the commission with revised options at a future meeting.