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Committee OKs exterior work at 137 Berry Street for planned 18‑bed year‑round shelter
Summary
Design Review Committee approved exterior repairs and accessibility upgrades at 137 Berry Street to support Good Samaritan Haven’s plan for an 18‑bed year‑round emergency shelter; the project includes a regraded ADA ramp, railing upgrades, drainage and replacement of 29 windows.
The Montpelier Design Review Committee on Monday approved exterior alterations at 137 Berry Street to prepare the building for Good Samaritan Haven’s planned 18‑bed year‑round emergency shelter and onsite administrative offices.
Julie Bond, executive director of Good Samaritan Haven, told the committee the non-profit plans an 18‑bed emergency shelter operating year round. "The goal is to put an 18 bed, emergency shelter in that space that would operate year round," Bond said.
The proposal includes several exterior and site changes: regrading and resurfacing an existing non‑compliant side ramp for ADA access; installing metal railings behind existing porch railings to reach the required 42‑inch height; repairing and underpinning three inadequate front‑deck support piers; improving drainage at a cracked retaining wall; creating a concrete pad on the rear of the building that will remove one parking space (leaving 11 spaces from the original 13); and replacing 29 older single‑pane windows with historically appropriate, wood‑framed Marvin windows with an exterior clad finish.
The committee and applicants discussed the turret roofing where ice-damming has led to interior water intrusion. Applicants said the small cedar-shingle band around the turret would be repaired or replaced in kind with improved flashing and ice-and-water barrier underlayment. Committee members recommended high‑quality flashing and insulation tactics to limit future ice dams.
Meredith Crandall read the applicable design criteria and the committee found the proposed changes acceptable when implemented to preserve character‑defining features and materials. The committee voted to approve the application as proposed. Staff said they will prepare the site‑plan report and bundle permitting paperwork for applicants to begin the building permit process.
