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Design reviewers press applicant to reduce perceived massing of new house at 246 Miles Manor Court
Summary
Architects for a proposed new house at 246 Miles Manor Court showed revised plans adding porches and lowering roof lines; the Design Review Committee urged smaller columns, different chimney detailing, avoidance of wall dormers and asked for measurements and street-context renderings before recommending approval.
The Design Review Committee on May DRC meeting reviewed a revised design for a new-construction principal building at 246 Miles Manor Court, presented by Andrew King and Don Berg for the applicant. The committee discussed recent changes the team made to “erase it, start new,” lower rooflines and add a wraparound porch at the corner of Winslow Road and Miles Manor Court.
Committee staff told the group the application had been deferred at the April 2025 Historic Zoning Commission meeting and that the applicant “incorporated feedback” by adding porches, reducing overall height and breaking up massing. Staff noted the front height would be 29 feet 10 inches and the rear 27 feet 6 inches and warned that “the use of wall dormers is not permitted and is not supported by the guidelines.”
Design reviewers generally praised the change in massing but pressed for more detail and compatibility with the block face. Commissioner Lisa said the elevations and a street-view rendering were needed to assess “compatibility with the other structures on that block face.” Commissioner Bridal suggested the columns appear heavy and asked whether they could be reduced from 12 inches to something slimmer, while Mary and others recommended more careful window proportions and mullion detailing to help the house read as compatible with nearby historic buildings.
Several commissioners questioned the proposed chimney. Bridal said the chimney’s continuous taper feels “more contemporary” and suggested testing brick or stepped shoulders to reduce perceived mass. Commissioners also reiterated staff’s point that wall dormers are not supported and suggested using roof dormers or crossing gables placed so the eaves align with adjacent forms to gain headroom without raising apparent height.
Staff and commissioners asked the applicant to provide measurements and materials specifications for porch columns and balustrades, window schedules, foundation details and to submit renderings showing the proposal in context with the houses across Winslow Road. They also asked the applicant to study column spacing on the wraparound porch and to consider more columns or slimmer profiles to avoid a single long span that “sticks out.”
No formal action or vote was taken; the meeting provided design guidance. The applicant said they would review the chimney and column options and submit additional dimensions and street-context images for a future review.
The committee also noted the project remains subject to zoning and Board of Zoning Appeals review for setbacks and related items.
