Historic Resources Commission deadlocks on 700 New Hampshire townhouse plan after residents object to height and mass

The Historic Resources Commission failed to approve a Certificate of Approval for a proposed 15‑unit townhouse development at 700 New Hampshire Street (the property faces Rhode Island Street), resulting in a 2–2 tie and a denial under HRC rules.

Joy Coleman, chair of the Historic Resources Commission, moved to approve the project with conditions that the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) work with the applicant to finalize building materials and to reduce the perceived visual weight of the third‑floor balcony details. Lynn Braddock Zollner, the city’s historic resources administrator, had recommended those same conditions in a staff report.

The applicant, Paul Werner of Paul Werner Architects, told the commission the design team had moved the building back after receiving a site survey and had changed materials and building massing to respond to ARC comments. The applicant described the project as a transitional, for‑sale townhouse development intended to add rooftops downtown, not as an historic preservation replication.

Neighbors and other public commenters urged the commission to reject or substantially alter the design. Sarah Norman of 712 Rhode Island Street said the changes made since the previous meeting were “nominal and…