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Commission issues environmental-review clearance for porch repairs at 13 Harvard Street
Summary
The commission accepted an environmental review and issued a clearance for exterior porch repairs at 13 Harvard Street after the petitioner disclosed rot and proposed a rebuild that maintains the porch’s historic appearance.
SPRINGFIELD — The Historic Preservation Commission accepted an environmental review for exterior renovations at 13 Harvard Street and approved the petitioner’s request to rebuild a deteriorated porch, preserving the historic appearance of the house.
William Brock, senior program manager for the Office of Housing, said the petitioner submitted an environmental review application for exterior renovations and handrail replacement. Contractor Sam Bernath told the commission that after removing the porch flooring staff discovered structural deterioration extending to the supporting framing; the petitioner proposed a rebuild that would not change the porch’s appearance.
“After demolition of the existing flooring, we found significant deterioration of that porch, all the way down to the supporting structure. Our proposal is to rebuild the porch, you know, with no aesthetic changes,” Bernath said.
The commission opened the item to public comment; no one opposed the work. Commissioners asked staff to confirm materials and detail reuse of diamond lattice where feasible. The commission then voted to issue the clearance for the environmental review so the petitioner may proceed with the repairs.
The action allows restoration work consistent with the application’s specifications and with staff verification of the materials.
