Commission grants retroactive approvals at 9 Ashlin Street with conditions on chimneys, windows and masonry

The Worcester Historic Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness and a demolition-delay waiver for partially retroactive work at 9 Ashlin Street, subject to conditions including color-matched mortar for rebuilt chimneys, retention of arched porch windows, a fiberglass replica front door confirmed by staff, brick repointing and stripping paint by non-sand methods.

Adam Gaval, the general contractor and property manager for Monroe Management LLC, explained the project is a conversion to 16 one-bedroom units and described exterior repairs and replacements. Commissioners addressed concerns about chimneys that had been removed without prior approval, debated the use of brick veneer versus full masonry, and emphasized that the commission does not want a pattern of inappropriate veneers in the district. The commission ultimately approved the applicant’s revised package — two chimneys to be reconstructed with the proposed square-edge brick veneer and color-matched mortar, retention of the porch arched windows, window replacements elsewhere as proposed, a fiberglass one-to-one replica front door as confirmed by staff, masonry repair and repointing, and stripping paint (explicitly prohibiting sandblasting).

Because only five commissioners were eligible to vote at that point in the meeting, the certificate and the demolition-delay waiver were approved by the participating members on roll calls with the recorded yes votes.