Historic panel approves two‑story rear addition at 50 Wooden Street after debate over modern window grouping

Portsmouth — The Historic District Committee voted March 4 to approve a two‑story rear addition at 50 Wooden Street, concluding a contested review of the proposal’s modern window treatment.

Scott Simons, the architect for the owner, described plans to enlarge the kitchen and bedroom areas atop an existing footprint and to use aluminum‑clad wood windows and Marvin Ultimate sliders that match the building’s existing dark bronze finish. He said the addition will keep the same clapboard siding, align roof and gutter lines, and preserve visual separation between the historic house and the new work.

"We think what’s dated 1780 is actually just a timber frame," Simons told the committee, and he said the revised drawings reflect changes requested at the prior work session, including centered window groupings and refined trim that reduce perceived bulk.

A committee member who opposed the project argued the vertically linked window groups and new outlining trim felt too modern for the district and said, "it doesn't maintain the historic district character." Other members disagreed, saying the applicant responded to prior guidance, improved symmetry, and kept the addition subservient to the original house.

Committee discussion focused on proportions, trim detailing and whether the proposed window groupings created a precedent. Several members said the addition achieved a reasonable compromise between exact historic replication and a clearly contemporary addition that uses similar materials.

The committee took a motion to approve after members exchanged views and recorded the vote in favor; the chair announced the application approved.

Next steps: The applicant will proceed with permit filings and the committee’s approval allows construction to move forward subject to required building permits and any conditions the planning department enforces.