Historic Preservation Commission rejects application to replace slate roof at 198 Broadway

The Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 14 declined to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 198 Broadway (Map Lot 047-012) in the Broadway Historic District, rejecting an application to remove an existing slate roof and install GAF Slate Line asphalt shingles.

The commission’s decision followed a lengthy public hearing that included a consultant report, testimony from the property owner and a presentation from local slate contractors. Chair Edmond Chernevski opened the item and read the application into the record before the applicant spoke and the commission heard the consultant’s comments.

The applicant, Steven Farren, described repeated repair attempts and said contractors told him the existing slate is “brittle” and that “the majority of the existing shingles will most definitely break and deteriorate even further during removal.” Farren told the commission he believes 90% of the slates are damaged and said replacing with the proposed asphalt product is the only financially viable option: “Financially, yes,” he said when asked whether alternative slate repairs were possible but unaffordable.

Commission staff and the appointed consultant reviewed the application and raised standard preservation questions. The consultant noted that slate is more sustainable than asphalt and asked whether the slate could be repaired in place or replaced “in kind,” and whether distinctive metal eave and ridge trim would be retained. The consultant also cited the Broadway Water Works project as an example…