Historic District Commission OKs siting and massing for Beach Avenue building; windows and site section requested

The New Shoreham Historic District Commission approved siting and massing for a proposed new building on Beach Avenue after commissioners requested additional documentation including a site section and window specifications. The approval was for siting and massing only; detailed materials and window schedules were left to a future submission.

The commission said applicants must provide a section through the sloping site showing contour lines extending roughly 150 feet on either side, photographs of adjacent properties, and a full window schedule including muntin details. "We really should have that" and "we need window information," commissioners said during the presentation and review. Commissioner Martha Ball moved to approve siting and massing only; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote (count not specified).

Applicant discussion and commission questions focused on how the proposed walkout would appear from the park side and how the living area would start at the first floor above the walkout. Commissioners pressed the applicants for photos of neighboring properties to understand context and asked whether muntins would be placed inside the insulated glazing or applied between panes; the applicants said muntins would be articulated and applied in part between panes. "Yeah. We'll now is it bringing materials? Would you want to lose an entire window or No," one applicant said while describing the design intent; commissioners reiterated they need window schedules and material samples when the project returns.

Commissioners noted there was a site plan but no section showing the slope and contours; one commissioner suggested a preliminary siting-in-mass could be acceptable only as an interim submittal. The motion explicitly approved only siting and massing; final approval of exterior materials, trim and window details was deferred. The commission said applicants should return with labeled photos clarifying the proposed building’s relationship to neighboring properties.

The commission’s administrative direction included a request for clear, labeled photographs and full window and trim schedules when the project returns for final review. The project will return to the commission at a future meeting with the requested documentation.

Votes at this meeting were conducted by voice; the recorded voice vote approved siting and massing, but the transcript does not list a roll-call count.