Historic preservation commission grants certificate for Hilltop Preschool dockhouse with conditions

The City of Bangor Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Feb. 27 to grant a certificate of appropriateness for repairs to a damaged access “dock house” at 218 Ohio Street, a property owned by the Bangor Children’s Home (Hilltop Preschool) in the Thomas Hill Historic District.

The decision follows a presentation by a representative of DP Porter Contractors, who said the company would “repair it like for like with really no changes” and, later, that they “fully intend to perform this project using modern materials that match as closely as possible to the original.” Commission members asked for clarification about roofing material, door salvage, and the footprint of the replacement structure; the applicant’s representative confirmed the roof will be steel and that the rebuilt structure will match the existing footprint.

Why it matters: The dock house sits within a designated historic district, and commission approval is required for demolition and reconstruction that affects historic character. The commission’s motion approving the certificate included conditions intended to preserve historic fabric and appearance.

Commission action and conditions The commission first voted to deem the application complete and to accept the record of fees and exhibits. That procedural motion passed unanimously. During deliberations, commissioners repeatedly emphasized preservation standards in the city’s historic‑preservation code (referenced in the record as sections 1‑48‑9(a) and 1‑48‑9(b) and subsections), and the commission made a series of findings that the proposed work met the applicable standards for general standards, repair/rehabilitation, stylistic features and preservation of changes that have acquired significance.

For the final decision the commission voted to grant the certificate of appropriateness with the following conditions, read into the record and approved by vote: - The dock house is to be replaced in kind and match the existing footprint. - No cutting, grinding or removal of existing brick or granite surfaces is permitted. - If the existing door is salvageable it shall be repaired and reused; if it is not salvageable it shall be replaced “like for like” using materials, color and profiles that match the historic appearance. Commissioners specified that if the original used rough‑cut lumber, the replacement should use rough‑cut lumber where practical. - Roofing will be replaced with steel panels to match the observed material.

The motions and final certificate passed unanimously; commissioners recorded “yes” votes from Ann Marie Quinn, Nathaniel King, Rebecca Krepkie, Matthew Weicamp, Peter Keebler and Chair Edwin Cherneski.

Applicant and staff comments The applicant’s representative told the commission the dock house had been damaged by a vehicle and described the plan as a dimensional, like‑for‑like reconstruction using modern framing materials (kiln‑dried studs, OSB) concealed behind exterior boards to replicate the original appearance. The representative said, “We intend to reuse the existing door if possible,” and later confirmed the roof material as steel.

Planning staff and the advisory consultant recommended that the commission confirm the replacement will be in kind with matching detail and color, and that no brick or granite be cut to fit the new construction; the applicant agreed to those points on the record.

What the commission discussed but did not order Members suggested nonmandatory protective measures — such as adding posts or guardrails to prevent future collisions — but the commission clarified it cannot mandate elements not included in the application and that such changes would need to be proposed by the applicant for consideration. Commissioners also discussed whether to require the use of rough‑cut lumber if that was the historic material, and the final condition asks that replacement materials match the original in composition, design, texture and finish, with specific direction to use rough‑cut lumber where the original evidence supports that choice.

Next steps The approved certificate allows the owner to proceed subject to the conditions imposed by the commission; the permit becomes part of the public record. If work is not begun within local time limits, the commission’s procedural rules require a new application.

Speakers quoted in this account are identified in the meeting record and appear in the speakers list for this article.