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Board approves side and rear window changes for Wolf Street house, tables front elevation
Summary
The Winchester Board of Architectural Review approved modifications to the side and rear elevations of a Wolf Street house to allow functional kitchen windows and raised sills, but tabled the proposed removal of a front door and replacement with a three-section window pending archival research into whether the door is original.
The Winchester Board of Architectural Review on Oct. 3 approved most exterior changes proposed for a Wolf Street house but deferred a decision on the front elevation while staff searches historic records.
Applicant Laurie Ross presented plans to relocate a kitchen to a front-left room, remove one of two front doors and install a three-panel window at the street-facing elevation, and to raise a side window sill to accommodate counters. City staff and board members said the proposed change to the primary (street-facing) elevation would alter the historic appearance and may not meet the board’s residential rehabilitation guidelines, which call for retaining original window openings and matching size, orientation and glazing patterns.
David (city staff) reported that rear additions have been significantly altered over the years and that the most recent photographic documentation the board has is from 1976, which shows two front doors. Several members recommended researching older photographs, building permits and Sanborn map details before deciding whether the left/front door is original. The board agreed city staff would search archives and report back at the next meeting.
On the visible side and rear elevations, the board reached consensus to allow changes that will not enlarge openings: the lower first-floor side window will be centered under the upper window, two first-floor gabled-elevation windows may be replaced with 2-over-2 double-hung wood windows with raised sills, and materials should match historic character. The board emphasized wood windows on primary historic elevations and said substitute materials are more appropriate for secondary elevations.
Committee member (Speaker 3) moved to approve BAR 24-726 for the side and rear elevations with the stipulation that windows be all-wood except on addition sections, and to table the Wolf Street/front elevation portion; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board instructed city staff to perform the archival research and notify the applicant when complete.
The decision leaves the front elevation unresolved pending the city’s research; the board approved the functional changes needed for the home’s interior while preserving the process to confirm historic fabric before altering the primary street facade.
