Board continues contentious Meridian Avenue redevelopment after residents raise preservation and setback concerns

Summary

A proposal to retain street‑facing walls of a 1936 building at 336 Meridian Avenue, build a new elevated single‑family home behind them and seek a reduced rear setback drew sustained public opposition and detailed staff scrutiny; the board continued the item to Nov. 18 and asked the applicant to revise drawings and respond to staff and neighbor

The Historic Preservation Board continued consideration of a contentious application to partially demolish and substantially rebuild a two‑story 1936 property at 336 Meridian Avenue after public comment and extended board discussion about preservation of the historic facade, the massing of a proposed upper‑level addition and a requested rear‑setback variance.

The applicant, represented by attorney Matt Amster, is proposing to preserve the street‑facing character‑defining elements of a contributing Art Deco structure designed by B. Kingston Hall while demolishing a rear, nonhistoric structure and constructing a new elevated single‑family residence behind the retained walls. Staff recommended approval with modifications including reducing the height of a projecting glass‑block balcony by about 4 feet (staff suggested a 4‑foot reduction or use of a lightly reflective/matte underside) and increasing the requested rear‑setback variance from 4 feet to 5 feet, to better match…

Board continues contentious Meridian Avenue redevelopment after residents raise preservation and setback concerns

Summary

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