Historic District Commission approves door replacement at 53 Water Street

The New Shoreham Historic District Commission approved an application from Todd McGarry to replace an existing window with a 5-foot-wide door at 53 Water Street during its meeting. Commission members said the less ornate option (referred to in materials as “option 5A”) best matches the small massing of that section of the building and would not adversely affect the structure’s historic appearance.

Commissioners discussed two design options and repeatedly endorsed the simpler alternative, arguing that the small scale of the façade would be overwhelmed by additional architectural detailing. A member who moved the motion described the proposal as “in keeping with the architecture of the existing building,” and another member seconded the motion. The commission approved the motion by voice vote and recorded findings of fact that the building is historic and that the proposed change affects a non-original portion of the structure.

A speaker familiar with the property summarized the building’s history of multiple additions and storefront alterations, noting that portions of the front façade under review are later modifications rather than original fabric. Commissioners asked whether the applicant had identified a contractor; an applicant representative said his partner’s crew will do the work.

The commission’s approval includes the requirement that the design remain consistent with the approved simplified option; the minutes will reflect that an alternative simplified option had been requested during earlier review. The application was described in the meeting record as Lot 6, Lot 108 (Fire No. 53), 53 Water Street. Individual vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript; the approval was taken by voice vote during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will finalize the findings of fact in the meeting record and proceed with issuing any necessary administrative approvals for the work to proceed.