Fairfield commission preliminarily approves wood two-pane casement design for 176 Main St. kitchen window

The Fairfield Historic District Commission gave preliminary approval on April 2 to a wood two-pane casement window design for the kitchen at 176 Main Street, Apartment 1B, allowing the property owner to begin work before the commission issues a formal Certificate of Appropriateness in May.

The proposal came from Matt Richardson, owner of 176 Main Street, Apartment 1B, who told the commission that the existing kitchen window is a single-pane picture window with applied interior dividers and that a prior “repair in kind” order had allowed a later replacement that does not match the building’s historic character. "The window that exists today versus the window that was a replacing kind are very different in terms of materials and the style," Richardson said, describing options he brought for the commission’s guidance.

Commission members said a two-pane wood casement with interior and exterior divided lights (option 2 in Richardson’s materials) most closely matches the surrounding windows and the building’s character. "Option 2, in my opinion, is the one that will make everything look more together," said Rosina Negron, a commission member. Several other members—Art Gervanes, Jim Acamando and Jim Bohan—also expressed a preference for option 2 during the discussion.

Richardson presented three options: (1) a three-panel painted wood casement replacement in kind, (2) a two-panel wood casement with interior and exterior grilles to match adjoining windows and divided lights, and (3) an applied exterior trim to visually divide the existing single-pane picture window. Commissioners raised concerns that an applied-trim approach would leave a single large pane of glass visible from the street and could appear less authentic than fully divided wood casements.

Commission members confirmed the window is visible from the public lane and stressed the need for clearer application materials at the formal hearing. The commission instructed Richardson to submit a Certificate of Appropriateness application with a plot plan (survey showing window location) and images of the proposed work; the application filing deadline had already closed for April, so the item will be on the May agenda.

To expedite the owner’s ability to proceed, the commission took a preliminary vote. Art Gervanes moved to approve option 2 as the preferred design; Matt Richardson seconded. Commissioners voiced support and raised no objection to Richardson beginning the work before the May hearing, provided the formal Certificate of Appropriateness application and supporting materials are submitted. The commission’s preliminary action does not replace the formal May review and final certificate.

Richardson said he would commit to option 2 if the commission could accommodate an earlier start, noting he had materials ready and tenants awaiting the work. The commission agreed to permit work to begin at the owner’s risk while reserving final approval for the formal May certificate process.