The Bedford Historic District Commission on Jan. 7 voted to table consideration of a certificate of approval for a proposed 16-by-32-foot shed at 22 Church Road until the applicant obtains outstanding approvals from the town zoning board and conservation officials.

The applicants, Rita Solich and Susanna Kopcho, told the commission the shed would be sited in the lot's southeast corner, not visible from the road, and described construction as an A-frame structure with 8-foot sidewalls and a 12.5-foot peak. They said the gravel pad for the structure already has been prepared and that they plan treated engineered wood siding, architectural shingles and two windows per side. Solich said the shed is for storage, including small vehicles and family items.

Commissioners said the primary permitting issues are not within the Historic District Commission's (HDC) jurisdiction: the proposal requires a zoning variance because the closest corner of the shed would sit about 7 feet 8 inches from the lot line, short of the 25-foot setback; the site may also require conservation commission review because of nearby wetlands; and the building department must confirm foundation requirements for a structure of this size. Planning staff confirmed a lot-line adjustment was executed previously between the applicants and adjacent owner Tim Quick; the applicants provided correspondence from the abutter saying he had no objection.

Because those approvals remain unresolved, the commission's members said they were reluctant to grant final HDC approval. Commissioners asked questions about the extent of prior site clearing (applicants said preparatory clearing and a gravel pad were placed; they described moving soil and levelling a roughly 18-by-34-foot area) and whether the building department had weighed in on foundation or permit requirements. Commissioners noted the 1,500-square-foot threshold for permitted clearing and said the work described appeared within that limit but asked the applicants to document dimensions and confirm any earth-disturbance permits required.

On design, commissioners generally favored matching the house's color and shingles as closely as possible, suggested neutral or muted roof and wall colors, and said they preferred traditional trim (white) and shingles that would blend with the wooded setting so the rooftop is not visually prominent from Church Road in winter. The commission also noted the applicants' belief that the proposed site is densely treed and that the shed will be largely screened.

After discussion, a motion to table the request to the HDC's Feb. 4 meeting pending the outcome of required zoning and conservation approvals carried unanimously. The commission recorded, on the record, that they had made comments about roofing and trim and were generally favorable to the project provided the outstanding approvals and building-permit conditions are satisfied.

The applicants were told to return with documentation of zoning/conservation approvals, confirmation from the building department on foundation requirements for a 16-by-32 structure, and clarified dimensions for the prior clearing so the HDC file reflects existing disturbance before the next hearing.

Tickets and next steps: the HDC will re-open the item at its Feb. 4 meeting if the applicants provide the requested permits and technical backups.