Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Windows Building Rehab topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HARB allows selective window replacements at 105 Marine Street; vinyl and unpermitted doors must be fixed
Summary
The Historic Architectural Review Board approved after-the-fact and future window changes at 105 Marine Street but ordered unpermitted vinyl windows removed, sliding doors replaced with divided-light French doors, and required a full window schedule for staff review.
The Historic Architectural Review Board on June 18 approved a certificate of appropriateness for selective, after-the-fact and future window replacements at 105 Marine Street, but imposed specific mitigation and documentation conditions.
The applicant sought approval for replacement windows and to address unpermitted fenestration changes. Staff and HARB members said the building, which sits in an HP-1 district, historically used wood windows on principal facades; vinyl is not appropriate. HARB members favored aluminum-clad wood for secondary elevations and required that any future replacements retain the building’s traditional light patterns.
What the board ordered: The board approved the replacement of four second-story windows on the south elevation with specific aluminum-clad double-hung sash windows (Genwyn W5500 as presented) and allowed administrative approval of additional replacement windows if the applicant provides a complete window survey first. The board directed that: - All vinyl windows installed without approval must be removed and replaced with approved products. - The visible sliding glass door must be replaced with a divided-light French-door system that matches the building’s historic patterns. - A window schedule (photographic survey by elevation, with proposed light patterns and materials) must be submitted to staff before any further work; some replacement work can be handled administratively once staff has the survey.
Why the board acted: HARB members said some of the existing windows appeared to be nonhistoric aluminum or vinyl and that the replacement product originally proposed (vinyl) was inappropriate for primary elevations in HP-1. Several members noted permitting gaps: historic-preservation staff confirmed one prior permit for interior renovation had not routed to preservation staff, allowing window replacements to proceed without HARB review years earlier.
Vote and follow-up: The motion, which specified mitigation for unapproved doors and approval for the specified aluminum-clad sash on the south elevation, passed unanimously by roll call. The applicant must submit the window schedule and door details to staff; staff may approve administrative replacements consistent with HARB direction, or the applicant will return to HARB for any items staff cannot clear administratively.
Speakers and evidence: The applicant (owner representative Dobash) testified he is conducting a full-building renovation and that identifying original windows is difficult because many porches were earlier enclosed. HARB members and staff cited photographs and previous permit history included in the staff report.
What this means for owners: HARB affirmed that primary street-facing elevations in HP-1 generally require wood or aluminum-clad wood windows in traditional multi-light patterns and that unpermitted vinyl windows and modern sliding doors visible from public ways require mitigation or replacement with historically compatible alternatives.
