WELLESLEY HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
TUESDAY JULY 11, 2006
REGULAR MEETING
PLANNING BOARD OFFICE, TOWN HALL
Members Present: |
Jean Berry, Edwina McCarthy, Laura Glen, David Smith, Carolyn Morris, and Meghan Conlon |
Also Present:
|
Inger Nielsen, Larry Young |
Chairman Jean Berry called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
|
6:45pm. |
41 Cottage Street |
Removal and Replacement of Garage and Porch |
HDC 05-06
|
Ms. Inger Nielsen and Mr. Larry Young came before the Commission for review of a proposed garage and a new porch. Ms. Nielsen stated the proposed garage would measure 18’-6”wide by 26’-5” wide with two bays. The garage would measure approximately 20’ in height and the upper story is proposed with a shed dormer. Four awning windows are proposed for the dormer. The exterior of the garage would be covered in clear vertical grain red cedar clapboards that would measure 6: wide. The two garage doors would be functional metal doors with a wood exterior facing. The proposed garage would need to seek a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals for its rear setback.
The proposed porch would be located at the same location as the existing side entrance porch, but there would be a material change from wood to stone. The proposed porch/patio would measure approximately 29’ long. The covered portion of the patio would extend approximately 5’ from the house and the uncovered patio area would extend approximately 10’ from the house.
Garage:
Ms. Berry began the discussion of the garage. She began by noting there are two dormers: one in the front of the garage and a large dormer in the rear. She questioned why a dormer was needed in the rear. Mr. Young stated the upper portion of the garage is dormered to allow headroom and storage.
Ms. McCarthy questioned if the proposed garage would be built on the existing footprint. Mr. Young noted the garage would have a greater depth and would extend forward towards the front yard a few feet.
Ms. Berry noted the exterior would be clapboard to match the house. Ms. Nielsen stated the windows and dormers would also match the house exactly.
Ms. Berry questioned if the upper story windows would be fixed or operable awning windows. Ms. Nielsen stated the windows would be operable awning windows. Ms. McCarthy noted awning windows do not offer much ventilation. The Commission asked if the windows would be simulated divided lights.
Mr. Young noted the windows would match the house and be composed of simulated divided lights. He also stated the rear dormer, not seen from a public way, would have 2 or 3 grouped double hung windows to match the front.
Ms. Berry questioned if the side entrance door would be painted. Ms. Nielsen stated she would like the door to be identical to the main house half glass entrance doors.
Mr. Smith questioned if the garage doors roll up or swing open. Mr. Young stated the garage doors would roll up. He noted the doors are regular garage doors with a wood facing. Mr. Smith questioned how thick the facing is installed. Mr. Young stated approximately ¾”. Mr. Smith questioned if the doors were cut into panels. Mr. Young stated there would be 4 panels.
Ms. Berry noted the garage design calls for two lanterns on either side of the garage doors. She asked Ms. Nielsen if she had chosen a particular design. Ms. Nielsen stated she is still looking for the appropriate lanterns, but that her intent is for a simple design. Ms. Nielsen stated in Denmark there is a tradition of mixing modern stock with old designs.
Ms. Glen stated she felt the current garage design was an enormous improvement.
The Commission moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to:
“Approve the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed demolition and reconstruction of a garage at 41 Cottage Street as presented with a half glass side entrance door.”
Porch:
Ms. Berry continued the meeting by asking Ms. Nielsen to give a verbal narrative of the proposed side porch/patio changes proposed. Ms. Nielsen stated there is currently two side entrance porches made of wood. One is located in the middle of the house and is accessed by a set of French doors and functions as a patio. The second entrance door is the located more to the rear of the house and is a covered side entrance also composed of wood. Ms. Nielsen stated the two porches are at different levels. Ms. Nielsen stated the proposal is to build a side patio out of stone and replace the wood. The patio would be all at the same height rather than at 2 different levels. Mr. Young noted the top of the patio would be composed of bluestone and the sides would be composed of New England stone. Mr. Young stated the patio would be set
at 30 inches from grade.
Mr. Smith began the discussion by questioning if the patio sides would be stone veneer. Mr. Young stated the sides would be a real stone wall. Mr. Young noted the edges of the walls would be slightly curved to have softer corners.
Ms. Nielsen noted the covered entrance steps would be made of granite, but that the height would remain the same at 30”. Mr. Young noted one additional step would be added to the side French door entrance to meet the lower patio surface.
Ms. Berry questioned what would happen to the yard where the grade meets the wall. Mr. Young stated the yard actually would be flatter from slightly altering the grade. He noted plantings would be used along the wall.
Mr. Smith questioned if the columns for the end entrance would remain. Ms. Nielsen stated the columns and covered porch would remain untouched except for the addition of the granite stairs. Ms. Nielsen stated she is committed to simplicity of the house.
Ms. McCarthy asked if the steps from the French doors would be stone. Ms. Nielsen stated those steps would remain wood. Ms. Glen questioned the color of the wood stairs. Ms. Nielsen stated the risers would be seen and painted to match the house trim.
The Commission after further discussion moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to:
“Approve the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of the existing side porch/patio with stone as presented with the stipulation that the side steps at the back entry would be granite and one step be added to the wooded steps at the French door entrance.”
The Commission approved the minutes of 03/21/06, 05/30/06, 06/6/06 as amended.
The Commission adjourned at 7:20 pm.
Meghan Conlon, AICP
Town Planner
Minutes Approved: 8/8/06
| 
