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Commission schedules site visit after debate over cedar-to-asphalt roof at 36 Lime Street
Summary
Applicant David Noe (360 Design) and owner Jocelyn Salinger asked to replace a failing cedar roof at 36 Lime Street with a weathered-wood asphalt shingle; commissioners cited precedent and cost concerns and scheduled an on-site inspection for the 8th at 09:30 before acting on the certificate of appropriateness.
David Noe of 360 Design, speaking for owner Jocelyn Salinger, presented a proposal to replace a failing cedar roof at 36 Lime Street with an asphalt shingle in a weathered-wood color.
Noe said the existing cedar roofing is cupping and leaking and that the proposed asphalt product is intended to match the appearance of nearby altered roofs. He provided rough cost comparisons: "So, 1 square, which is a 10 by 10, a 100 square foot area in asphalt is approximately a $150 a square foot in material," Noe said, and added that cedar materials "can range from 600 all the way up to 1,000 a square." Commissioners pressed on visual precedent, citing prior changes at 6 and 40 Lime Street and the church roof; they were concerned about setting a precedent that would lead to more asphalt roofs in the historic district.
Commissioners discussed options to offset the cost differential (state historic tax credits and grants were mentioned). Because the roof is leaking and the commission has a 65'day review period from the April 4 submission date, the commission agreed a prompt site visit would help members assess the street context and existing precedents. The commission scheduled an on'site visit for the 8th at 09:30 and moved to continue the public hearing so the site visit could inform the COA decision.
Chair emphasized the commission's responsibility to weigh preservation of district character against practical hardship for homeowners and said members would inspect comparable roofs during the visit.
The applicant agreed to supply the commission with material samples, manufacturer names (the applicant proposed TAMKO/GAF while noting CertainTeed had been used at 40 Lime Street in 2013), and a brief explanation of the change. No final COA decision was made at the meeting.
