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Board upholds permit for roof‑deck replacement at 280–284 Union Street
Summary
After reviewing historic‑district rules, DBI and Planning Department approvals, and competing neighbor claims, the Board of Appeals upheld an alteration permit to replace roof decking and handrails at 280–284 Union Street, finding the project an in‑kind replacement that had been thoroughly vetted by city agencies.
The Board of Appeals on Sept. 10 rejected an appeal challenging an alteration permit for 280–284 Union Street and upheld the permit, finding the planned roof‑deck replacement complies with building and planning department reviews and historic‑preservation guidance.
Appellants argued the current permit departs from prior configurations and raised a series of code and historic‑preservation concerns, alleging unpermitted work and asserting the replacement was not strictly in‑kind. The permit holder’s representative, Melinda Sargent, presented side‑by‑side plans of the 1988 permitted deck and the current application, saying the work is limited to in‑kind replacement of the roof deck, parapet wall and guardrails and does not add height or new rooftop features.
DBI and Planning Department staff, including plan check and historic‑preservation reviewers, testified the permit complied with applicable codes. The Planning Department confirmed an Administrative Certificate of Appropriateness and the Historic Preservation Commission declined additional review. Chief Building Inspector Patrick O’Riordan confirmed the 1987/1988 permits and final signatures in the department record.
After deliberation the board found the permit properly issued and vetted by relevant city departments and voted 4‑0 to deny the appeal and uphold the permit.
The board admonished parties to use administrative processes responsibly and noted significant staff time had been expended reviewing the matter over several years. The permit stands and the permit holder may proceed subject to standard inspection and code compliance.
