Dobbs Ferry AHRB approves window replacements, grants certificate of appropriateness for 41 Belbin Avenue

The Architectural and Historic Review Board (AHRB) of the Village of Dobbs Ferry on May 1 granted approval and a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior window replacement and repainting at 41 Belbin Avenue, based on plans last revised April 9, 2025.

The application, presented by Natrisha Walco of Opete Jargotax on behalf of the applicant, described a modest renovation within the existing footprint focused at the rear of the house, including kitchen and mudroom work, interior partitioning, a second-floor bathroom remodel and replacement of existing non‑historic windows with wood, energy‑efficient windows that “repeat the vocabulary of the few original windows” on the building, Walco said.

The board's nut graf: the AHRB concluded the changes preserve the building’s historic character by keeping most original window locations and exterior siding intact while allowing interior modernization.

Board discussion and staff notes: Walco said about 85% of window locations remain unchanged and that proposed new sash configurations (3-over-2 or 2-over-2 double-hung) more closely match original historic windows than the one-over-one replacements currently predominant. She noted one chimney at the rear had been flagged by the building department; there is “no view of that chimney from any place other than in the rear yard,” she said, and the chimney shows no evidence of a fireplace and “may have been used for a boiler flue” in the past.

Valerie (board member) read the resolution into the record and the board moved to approve the AHRB application and issue a Certificate of Appropriateness referencing the plans last revised 04/09/2025. The motion was adopted by voice vote; all in favor.

Conditions and next steps: approval is expressly conditioned on the application materials and the April 9, 2025 plan set. The record also notes that, where egress requirements required window changes, applicants located those modifications on side elevations to avoid altering the historic front elevation.

Quotes: Natrisha Walco, representing the applicant, said the team is “replacing the existing windows, with new energy efficient and in our view more authentic windows that are wood,” and added the project is “being as discreet as possible with the changes.”

Ending: The AHRB decision completes the board review for this exterior work; building-department requirements (including any permits) remain to be satisfied before construction begins.