ZBA approves renovation at 20 Pine Street after Historic Commission support; connector ridge lowered as a condition

Attorney (recorded in the transcript as "Me") and architect Scott Brown presented a plan to restore the original form of the c.1880 house at 20 Pine Street by removing later (1980s) additions and adding a subordinate rear addition and a two‑car garage set back from Pine Street. The team emphasized that although total exterior wall removal exceeds 25 percent, only about 15.9 percent of the original historic fabric would be removed; the larger share of demolition was non‑historic, later work.

Scott Brown said the addition was stepped back, lowered in ridge height and designed to keep the original house visually dominant; the Historic Commission supported the revised plans and noted approval of the demo of accessory structures in the rear. Board members reviewed the DCOD calculations and the nonconformity special‑permit criteria and found the project compatible with the block’s varied lot sizes and building scales.

The board voted to approve both the DCOD demolition request and the special permit for nonconformities. Approval included two conditions: the ridge line of the connector between the new garage and the historic building must be lowered by an additional six inches, and the applicant must coordinate sidewalk repairs with the Department of Public Services as needed.

Architect Scott Brown said adjusting the connector ridge was feasible; the applicant and staff will work out the sidewalk coordination before building permits are issued.