HDC conditionally approves dormer at 8 Columbus Avenue; owner must use non‑vinyl cladding

Property owner Gerald Angel told the Historic District Commission that a vinyl skylight at 8 Columbus Avenue was deteriorated and leaking and asked to replace it with a dormer and window to match existing openings. The commission discussed consistency with the district’s new window guidelines and whether to let the owner match the house’s existing Andersen 400‑series clad windows.

Commissioners noted that vinyl‑clad windows are typically not permitted in the historic district and warned that allowing one owner to retain vinyl could create a precedent. Planner and commissioners recommended aluminum‑clad or composite‑clad windows or, preferably, traditional wood sash. Mr. Angel said the house and an associated garage studio already have Anderson 400 windows and that he did not anticipate replacing the other windows in the near future.

The commission amended the motion and conditionally approved the dormer/window replacement, specifying that the new unit be aluminum‑clad, composite‑clad, or wood; the chair said final material approval could be handled by staff if Mr. Angel forwarded a proposed specification. The motion carried by voice vote.

Why this matters: the commission is enforcing district standards that generally discourage vinyl cladding on contributing and nearby properties while allowing case‑by‑case consideration when existing non‑conforming materials already exist on a house.

Next steps: Mr. Angel will submit proposed window specifications to planner staff for final approval; the certificate of appropriateness will note the conditional approval and the one‑year validity of the certificate as stated by the commission.