Historic preservation panel recommends COA for Iona Avenue dormer after unapproved framing

The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval Thursday of a Certificate of Appropriateness for a house on Iona Avenue after commissioners were told the property—s front dormer was enlarged and framed forward during construction without prior authorization. The commission attached conditions requiring updated porch design drawings, railing and material specifications, and shop drawings before the case goes to the borough council next week.

Commissioners said the dormer was pushed 4 feet, 4 inches forward from its original footprint during framing; that change, coupled with the owners— decision to unenclose the front porch, altered how the front setback is measured. Kevin, the borough zoning officer who inspected the work, said an exception in the zoning rules for detached houses allows second-story dormers to encroach up to 6 feet into the front setback. "There—s an exception under the detached house building types that allows second story dormers to encroach no more than 6 feet into the front yard…