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Historic commission denies proposal for dwelling on city-owned East Side Longill lot
Summary
After extended discussion about siding, massing, setbacks and whether prior approvals set a precedent, the commission denied the application for construction on the long-vacant city-owned lot at East Side Longill Street, citing design and compatibility concerns.
The Springfield City Historical Commission voted to deny a proposal to build a single- (later described as two-family) dwelling on a long-vacant, city-owned lot on East Side Longill Street, concluding the current plans were inappropriate in massing, setbacks and materials for the historic district.
Owners/applicants Jim and Lynn Morrisy presented detailed plans and material samples (Nurandex D4 vinyl siding, black vinyl windows, fiber door, wall-mounted heat pumps) and described efforts to meet energy and building-code requirements, including a preference for all-electric construction driven by HERS-rating considerations. The petitioners said they would accept a full-length porch if required but preferred the proposed design and cited cost tradeoffs between siding and porch options.
Commission discussion centered on siding choice (Hardie plank versus vinyl), the house’s width, and how closely the proposed massing would align with neighboring facades. Commissioners asked staff to pull records of nearby approvals (several recently built duplexes referenced by the petitioner) and to provide photographic comparisons. The commission first agreed to continue to the April 2 meeting to allow for those comparisons and staff follow-up; after further consideration later in the meeting—when commissioners emphasized persistent concerns about the house’s width and proximity to the sidewalk and the applicant’s absence for certain clarifications—a motion to deny the application carried with all members voting no in favor of approval.
The commission’s denial closes the current proposal; staff said the applicant may refile once design changes address the commission’s compatibility concerns.
