BAR approves dormers, egress and restoration work at family-owned 303 Queen Street; staff to refine ridge detail

The Board of Architectural Review approved an application to add two dormers, an egress window and to replace windows at 303 Queen Street, a house owned by John S. Williams, with the architect and staff to finalize a ridge/dormer detail.

Phyllis Williams spoke for the applicant, explaining the family ownership history of 303 and saying the requested changes would increase headroom and create a bedroom in the attic. She said the project includes two shed dormers at the rear—one at the second floor to improve headroom and an attic dormer to create a bedroom—and wood window replacements in accordance with BAR guidelines.

During staff and board review, commissioners asked about a ridge-beam and how the dormer would tie into the existing ridge and neighboring roofs. Staff and architect Robert Bentley Adams agreed to work with the applicant on a detailed ridge/dormer solution so that the dormer does not appear as an isolated element cut off from party-wall to party-wall.

Public speakers who supported the project included Wayne Fisher, who assisted with the estate sale and preservation of the house’s interior contents, and Scott Corzine, a neighbor at 300 Queen Street, who said the proposal “respects the size and scale of our historic city.” Commissioners voiced support; Commissioner Lyons said the project will “look fantastic when it’s done.”

A motion to approve the applications (BAR 2025-00140 and BAR 2025-00141) passed on a roll-call vote; commissioners asked staff to work with the architect on the ridge/dormer detail prior to permit issuance. The board recorded the vote in favor; the application was approved subject to the staff–architect detailing direction.