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New Castle County Historic Review Board approves Wrens Nest restoration and Mt. Lebanon cottage addition with preservation condition
Summary
The Historic Review Board voted to approve restoration of the 1916 "Wrens Nest" playhouse on the Nemours Estate and to permit an addition to a circa-1860 worker’s cottage at 1201 Mt Lebanon Road, attaching a recommendation for long-term preservation measures to the latter approval.
The New Castle County Historic Review Board voted March 3 to approve two applications and release associated permits for work on historic properties in Brandywine Hundred.
The board approved Application 2026-0030-H, clearing permits for restoration of the 1916 playhouse known as the "Wrens Nest" on the Nemours Estate. The Department of Land Use recommendation was read into the record by Kevin Barni. Karen Anderson moved to approve the application; Lauralee Rappleye seconded. The minutes record the motion as adopted with a recorded tally of 6-0-1-2; Jean Hershner stated she had a conflict and recused herself from discussion and voting. Board member Keith Jackson said the project was, "this was a wonderful project." The board released the permits associated with the restoration.
The board also voted to approve Application 2026-0047-H for an addition to a circa-1860 worker’s cottage at 1201 Mt Lebanon Road in the Rockland Historic District. Kevin Barni read the Department of Land Use recommendation into the record. Robert Duke moved the approval and Keith Jackson seconded with a condition that the applicant strongly consider working with the Department on long-term preservation measures such as deed restrictions or historic overlay zoning. The motion was recorded as adopted 7-0-0-2 in the minutes; permits were released with the stated recommendation attached.
Both approvals followed Department of Land Use recommendations and included board discussion limited to procedural matters and preservation options. The board did not record any additional substantive public testimony during these agenda items.
