Historic commission denies retroactive approval for vinyl windows at 154 Academy Street, requests hardship materials

On June 12 the Poughkeepsie Historic District and Landmark Preservation Commission denied the retroactive application to approve replacement windows at 154 Academy Street, Units 2 and 3, and directed the applicant to supply additional documentation including a hardship request and photos of the original sashes for further review.

Commissioners said replacement windows that remove or obscure an original arched top and that use vinyl are inconsistent with the commission’s guidance and the Secretary of the Interior’s preservation guidance; staff directed the applicant to supply evidence of deterioration, cost information and possible remediation paths before the commission will consider an alternative.

Tom Brownlee represented the owner (Bridal Murray, absent) and said the work had already been done because the original single‑pane sashes were severely deteriorated and the building’s occupants lacked access to exterior storm windows. Brownlee said the new windows were custom‑made to the existing openings and that he had saved the original sashes in case parts of them could be reused. “Now, what we did … we saved all the old windows,” Brownlee said.

Commission staff and members reviewed the application against the HDLPC window guidance and noted several concerns: the replacements are vinyl (staff said vinyl is not an appropriate replacement material for a historic building under the commission’s guidance), the arched tops were not replicated and the visible profile and shadow lines had changed.

The commission conducted a roll‑call vote; the panel declined to approve the retroactive application and recorded the item as denied and adjourned pending reapplication. Commissioners instructed staff to send the applicant the HDLPC window guidance and the city’s hardship documentation, and suggested the applicant provide photos showing the condition of the original sashes, estimates for a like‑for‑like wood replacement and any financial hardship details that would accompany a formal hardship request.

Staff said the denial applies to the current application only; the owner may reapply after assembling the requested evidence and, if appropriate, a hardship petition. The commission also noted that if building permits are required to alter or remove the installed windows, the applicant should coordinate with the City Building Department before beginning further work.