Board grants emergency in-kind approval to replace removed slate with scalloped slate-look asphalt shingles at 524 Hamilton Street

After a contractor removed slate roofing from 524 Hamilton Street and left the property exposed to heavy rain, the board granted an emergency in-kind approval to replace the missing slate with asphalt shingles that replicate a scalloped or fish-scale slate appearance and match the neighbors shingle width.

Homeowners told the board their contractor removed the original slate but did not finish the job and did not install tarps, producing rain leaks in multiple rooms. They asked the board for guidance and expedited approval to repair the exposed areas. Board members reviewed photographs and samples and recommended a slate-look architectural shingle with a scalloped profile and color to closely match the former roof and the adjacent house so the new roof would blend with the block.

The board made an emergency in-kind motion allowing removal of the original slate and replacement with an asphalt shingle featuring a scalloped/fish-scale appearance and a color matched to remaining historic material and neighboring roofs. The board emphasized matching the hyphen width and overall profile to the adjacent roof to maintain streetscape continuity.

Board members advised the homeowners to secure a new contractor, have the contractor submit the specified shingle product options to staff and obtain the building permit; staff said they would sign the in-kind approval for permitting purposes so work could proceed without waiting for the next regular meeting. The homeowners were provided contact guidance and instructed to forward product catalogs and photos of the neighbor roof for staff review.