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Princeton HPC approves modified garage door and sliding windows at 66 Lee Avenue with paint condition
Summary
The commission approved an applicant’s substitution of similar steel carriage‑style garage doors (two upper panes instead of four) and sliding sash windows at 66 Lee Ave, contingent on matching the previously approved stone‑white finish; the applicant said the sliding windows were requested to help a household member with limited mobility.
The Princeton Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve modifications to the garage doors and window operation at 66 Lee Avenue at its Jan. 26 meeting, contingent on matching the previously approved stone‑white paint finish.
Historic preservation staff described the application (filed under application 18 HP 2024) and the site’s context in the Witherspoon‑Jackson Historic District. The proposed garage doors are an Amar Classica premium steel carriage‑style door proposed as a substitute for the originally approved Raynor Rock Creek doors; the new doors retain size and color but have two upper panes ("bags"/lights) instead of four. Staff noted the proposed windows will be vinyl sliding sash windows that are not readily visible from the public right of way.
Applicant Mingping Jie, sworn for testimony, told the commission the sliding windows were requested for accessibility: her son, who lives in the house, “had a head surgery ... his arm and leg ... are relatively weak,” and sliding windows are easier for him to operate. Commissioners asked about materials and visibility; one member emphasized that the garage door should be painted the previously approved stone‑white color. A motion to approve the application with the paint‑color condition was made, seconded and carried.
No formal enforcement action was taken at the meeting regarding earlier demolition activity referenced during discussion; a commissioner raised concern that an earlier historic garage demolition in the Witherspoon‑Jackson neighborhood had occurred without prior approvals.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the specified door and window changes subject to the color condition noted in the staff report and the meeting vote.
