Commission approves plans for 29 Oakland Street after requiring front‑dormer skylight be removed

The Newburyport Historical Commission on Feb. 12 found 29 Oakland Street to be historically significant and later approved the applicant’s demolition/alteration plan on the condition that a skylight proposed for the front dormer be removed.

Vaughn Alley of Joppa Design, who introduced himself at the start of the presentation, said his firm “started the company back in 1998 doing design and construction in Newburyport” and described plans to remove a late‑20th‑century single‑story rear porch and replace it with a two‑story addition while retaining shingle siding to match the existing house.

Commissioners spent substantial time assessing the house’s recorded age and how the proposed front dormer would affect the structure’s street appearance. Several members urged a smaller dormer or a pair of balanced dormers rather than the proposed wide dormer. The commission first moved to declare the structure historically significant and put the property under a demolition delay to allow the review to proceed.

After public comment — including a neighbor who said he would favor Joppa Design’s work — the board considered a motion to approve the plans on the condition the front dormer skylight be removed. The commission recorded a vote of four yeas and two nays; the motion passed and the demolition delay was lifted contingent on removal of the skylight. The applicants also made letters of neighbor support part of the record.

Next steps: applicants may proceed with the approved plans once the skylight is removed and any required permits are filed.