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HRC approves addition at 1015 Pennsylvania with condition to explore restoring original windows
Summary
The Historic Resources Commission voted 6–0 to approve a rear addition and new porch at 1015 Pennsylvania Street but required the applicant to work with staff to evaluate retaining or repairing original windows and to submit any revised window proportions for administrative review.
The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission on Oct. 16 granted a certificate of approval for proposed additions and exterior alterations at 1015 Pennsylvania Street but attached a condition requiring the applicant to investigate repair and retention of original windows and to submit narrowed stair-window proportions to staff for administrative review.
Lynn Braddock Zollner, historic resources administrator, described the project as a rear addition replacing an enclosed one‑story element, changes to several window openings and a new full‑width front porch. She told commissioners the rear projection and larger addition are set back and would not be highly visible from the primary right of way, but staff raised concerns that closing existing windows and relocating openings could harm the character of the house if the windows are original.
Chris Cunningham of CTE Design, the project architect, said the existing windows "are in poor shape" and that the owner prefers energy‑efficient replacements, though he said some openings could be adjusted so the general window stack remains compatible. "There are a couple windows there that, after chatting with Lynn, I think we can modify... we may be able to keep the bottom half of that window as we go into the new bathroom," Cunningham said. He also agreed to examine narrowing a tall vertical ribbon window at a new stair landing to better match historic proportions.
Commissioners urged preservation when feasible. One commissioner who follows local restoration work said original wood windows are often repairable and that adding storm windows narrows the energy‑efficiency gap with new units. To avoid delaying the project, the commission made retention and repair an administrative condition: the applicant will work with staff to document whether original windows can be repaired and to submit proposed minor revisions for staff approval.
The commission voted 6–0 to issue the certificate of approval with that condition. The approval allows the applicant to proceed without returning to the commission if staff can administratively confirm the retained or revised window details match the commission’s direction.
Action: HRC voted 6–0 to approve the certificate of approval for 1015 Pennsylvania Street with a condition requiring the applicant to explore retaining and repairing original windows, investigate the size/position of any new openings, and submit those revisions to staff for administrative review.
