Worcester Historical Commission approves three preservation requests, postpones Elm Street item

At a hybrid meeting on Aug. 28, the Worcester Historical Commission approved three local preservation requests, instructed staff to update letters of support for municipal projects and postponed consideration of 1106 Elm Street until its next meeting, extending a constructive grant deadline to Oct. 24.

The actions affect two private renovation projects and one small accessory structure in the Elm Park Historic District and were approved by roll-call votes. The commission heard applicants and contractors describe structural problems, materials choices and safety concerns before voting.

The commission approved a demolition-delay waiver for 15 Randolph Road after owner James Evans and his contractor said a deteriorated rear sunroom and shallow footings required full removal and reconstruction. Evans said the porch footings are “only about a foot and a half down,” that the sunroom had settled and that the vaulted ceiling cannot be salvaged. The project will replace first-floor clapboards and upper shingles with James Hardie cement-fiber siding and use Marvin windows intended to replicate historic profiles; the sunroom will be rebuilt with a metal-shingle roof designed to mimic slate. Chair Diane Long called the motion, and the commission voted yes (recorded as: Commissioner Andre; Commissioner Santos Restivo; Commissioner Holnarski; Commissioner Thierman; Commissioner Taylor; Commissioner Northway; Commissioner Gutierrez Laboti; Chair Diane Long).

Contractors emphasized safety and constructability in the 15 Randolph presentation. An applicant contractor identified only as Chris said the structure “is in such disrepair that it’s starting to pull away from the house,” and that workers must excavate beneath the sunroom to install new, deeper footings. Evans told the commission replacing the original single-pane sliding windows with insulated double-glazed windows alone would cost about $20,000.

The commission also approved replacement of storefront windows at 246 Park Avenue proposed by That’s Entertainment and contractor Jim Armey of Cole Contracting. Manager Serana Katesh told the commission the existing single-pane storefronts let heat and dust into the event space; Armey said the original openings had been repaired over time and that the new multi-pane aluminum-framed units will include steel reinforcement by code. Armey described underlying settlement in the neighborhood — noting previous pile work to shore the building — and said the project will level and plumb openings, repair loose masonry, and install smaller 36-inch panes with steel-reinforced mullions to meet manufacturer and code requirements. The commission found the proposed work “would not be detrimental to the historical or architectural resources of the city of Worcester” and approved the waiver by roll call.

For 47 Seaver Street in the Elm Park Local Historic District, property representatives asked for permission to install a prefabricated shed in the rear yard. The applicant cited Reeds Ferry as the supplier and said the shed would be painted to match the house; commissioners discussed materials options (PVC trim versus cedar) and roofing compatibility with the house’s mix of slate and asphalt shingles. The commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a rear-yard shed with the condition that it be sited in the backyard, and not in front of the house.

Under other business the commission voted to update letters of support for the Waldo Street police station, the district court and the fire station. Commissioners discussed a HUD-sponsored project at 1 Hammons Street and 3 Erie Ave. and recommended making no comment; a Mass. Historic Commission determination of “no adverse effect” for work at 534 Cambridge Street was noted and required no local action. The commission also reviewed a violation letter for 106 Elm Street and took no additional action at this meeting.

The commission introduced Pat Maloney as the new executive director of Preservation Worcester. Maloney thanked the commission and noted the long tenure of predecessor Deb Packard.

Votes at a glance

- Postpone consideration of 1106 Elm Street (motion to postpone to next meeting, amended to extend constructive grant deadline to Oct. 24): passed by roll call; no further action recorded at this meeting.

- 15 Randolph Road — Demolition‑delay waiver (replace siding with James Hardie cement-fiber cladding where clapboards exist, replace shingles where shingles exist, rebuild southwest sunroom and retain character with Marvin windows and metal-shingle roof mimicking slate): commission found work not detrimental; motion passed by roll call.

- 246 Park Avenue — Demolition‑delay waiver / storefront window replacement to match 244 Park Avenue, including masonry repairs and replacement of an unused louver: commission found work not detrimental; motion passed by roll call.

- 47 Seaver Street — Certificate of appropriateness for a painted rear-yard shed with trim and shakes to match: motion passed by roll call.

- Update letters of support for Waldo Street police station, Worcester District Court and a fire station project: motion to update letters passed by roll call.

What the commission did and why it matters

The commission’s approvals allow property owners to move forward with repairs and replacements that applicants say are needed for safety, code compliance and energy efficiency while preserving or replicating historic appearances. The decisions illustrate common preservation tradeoffs: modern materials (James Hardie, Marvin windows, metal-shingle roofing) are being used to replicate historic profiles while meeting modern safety and insurance concerns. The commission also exercised its procedural role by declining comment on a HUD-sponsored project and by noting a state determination of no adverse effect on another project.

The commission said it will reconvene next week for a separate meeting; the postponed 1106 Elm Street item will be heard at the next meeting unless withdrawn or continued, and the extended constructive grant deadline for that item is Oct. 24.