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Worcester Historical Commission approves demo-delay waiver for porch and window work at 84 Burncoat St.
Summary
The commission approved a demolition-delay waiver allowing removal and reconstruction of a three-season porch at 84 Burncoat St., with the applicant retaining and refurbishing original windows, reglazing broken sashes, rebuilding rotten jambs and replicating porch details.
The Worcester Historical Commission on Nov. 6 approved a demolition-delay waiver for work at 84 Burncoat Street that will remove and rebuild a three-season porch while retaining and refurbishing the house's original windows and entry door. The decision passed on a roll-call vote during the commission's hybrid meeting.
The project applicant, Chris Gamache of Gamache Construction, told the commission the team "decided to do away with the vinyl windows, and we decided to refurbish the existing windows." He said one original sash will be used by the glass company to match historic glass and that "we are gonna be reglazing, changing out the glass, on the broken sashes, and any of the existing jambs that have severe rot, we're gonna be rebuilding the jambs." Gamache added that dentils and porch columns will be replicated so the rebuilt porch "will be as close to identical as it is."
The commission's motion, read into the record, found that replacing a three-season porch by rebuilding it to match existing construction and refurbishing the windows, doors and sidelights would not be detrimental to Worcester's historic or architectural resources. Public comment was opened and no members of the public spoke.
Roll-call votes recorded in the transcript show Commissioner Andre, Commissioner Santos Restivo, Commissioner Northway, Commissioner Thierman and Chair Diane Long voting "yes." Commissioner Hylnarski was absent from the prior hearing and was not able to vote on this matter, as noted in the meeting conversation. The motion was recorded as approved.
The applicant and commission clarified scope details at the hearing: all existing windows and the primary entry door and sidelights will be retained and reglazed as needed; severely rotted jambs will be rebuilt; and exterior porch details including dentils and columns will be reproduced to match the existing appearance. The decision authorizes reconstruction consistent with those plans.
The commission did not attach further conditions in the on-record motion. The applicant left the meeting after the vote and the commission moved on to other business.
