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HDC holds Hooper Farm new-dwelling proposal over scale, fenestration and dormer concerns
Summary
A proposed new primary dwelling at 46 Hooper Farm was held for revisions after commissioners said the design looked large for the lot and called for smaller dormers, reduced plate heights and larger, vertically proportioned windows.
The Historic District Commission held a proposal for a new primary dwelling at 46 Hooper Farm on Aug. 26, asking the design team to reduce perceived bulk and adjust fenestration.
Chris Magna, representing the applicant, said the project would place a new main dwelling behind an existing structure and keep the ridge below 28 feet. Commissioners nonetheless said the house’s mass and window proportions needed refinement. Commissioner Carrie said the elevation felt ‘‘crammed’’ and urged relocating or reworking a shed element; Commissioner Ray called for consolidating dormers. Commissioner Abby described the current design as generic and asked the applicant to better relate the house to neighboring building scale.
Commissioner Steven (chair) and others suggested modest plate-height reductions — for example lowering the second-floor plate and slightly reducing first-floor ceiling heights — to reduce overall mass without losing program space. Staff recommended applicants return with revised profiles and dormer strategies; the commission voted unanimously to hold the application for revisions.
Chris Magna said the team will examine lowering rooflines, simplifying dormers and adjusting window sizes, and return with revised drawings for the commission to re-evaluate.
