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Committee approves 189 Center Street renovations after debate over roofing and gutters
Summary
The Old Kings Highway Committee approved a certificate of appropriateness for 189 Center Street that includes roof, siding, trim, decks and paint; neighbors wrote in support and the commission weighed historical roofing practices, reversibility and material appearance before approving asphalt shingles and fiberglass gutters.
The Old Kings Highway Committee on May 12 approved application 25DashA053 for exterior repairs and repainting at 189 Center Street in Yarmouth Port after a multi‑part discussion about roofing material and gutters.
Jake Stafford, representing Lewis Bay Builders and the owner Kelly McGill, told the committee the proposal covered replacement of the roof, decorative posts, trim, siding, four windows, a front door and deck boards and to paint the house white. “My name’s Jake Stafford from Lewis Bay Builders, representing Kelly McGill,” Stafford said when presenting the application.
The commission received multiple neighbor letters supporting the use of asphalt architectural shingles and restoration of a white exterior; writers noted the roof is largely obscured by trees and argued asphalt is a common and practical choice in the district. Committee members reviewed town files and determined the house’s current paint was approved in 1994 (Montgomery White) and that, per the district guidance, painting a structure white does not require a certificate of appropriateness.
Committee members and consultants discussed whether modern asphalt shingles would harm the house’s historic character. A committee member noted that the roof is a character‑defining feature but said the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards allow for reversible changes and that high‑quality asphalt shingles can be reversed in future restorations. The applicant presented two asphalt shingle samples and said the proposed color would be a gray “pewter wood” that, committee members agreed, would better mimic the aged look of cedar than a darker black shingle. The team also proposed fiberglass gutters for visible facades and K‑line aluminum gutters on the rear elevations; staff indicated fiberglass can match the appearance of wooden gutters when painted.
After discussion, a motion to approve the application passed by voice vote. The committee asked the applicant to sign documentation noting approval and to notify the office if any project details change.
What’s next: the owner may proceed with the approved exterior work and painting; no further action by the committee is required if the work remains within the approved scope.
