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Historical Commission approves solar panels, shutters and awning; grants retroactive demolition-delay waiver
Summary
At its June 25 meeting the Worcester Historical Commission granted a retroactive waiver for 56 Water Street, approved certificates of appropriateness for solar panels at 28 Newbury Street, shutters at 240 Salisbury Street, and an awning amendment at 191 Pleasant Street, and continued two items to July 23 for additional materials.
The Worcester Historical Commission on June 25, 2026 approved multiple items on its agenda, including a retroactive demolition-delay waiver and three certificates of appropriateness, while continuing two items to allow for additional materials.
At 56 Water Street, the commission granted a retroactive waiver of the 12-month demolition delay for rooftop work described in the motion as installing a rooftop event-assembly system to accommodate a new use. Staff explained the work had been permitted through specialty electrical and mechanical permits but a building permit had not been filed; the waiver motion concluded the changes would not be detrimental to Worcester's historic or architectural resources. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all recorded "yes."
Applicant Michael Ranico, who identified himself with a Worcester address, explained the hood installation and noted that mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits were obtained even though a building permit was not: "The electrical permit...the gas...all had permits," he said, describing how specialty permits were handled through the permitting system.
The commission also approved a certificate of appropriateness for 28 Newbury Street to allow 15 black-matte, black-frame rooftop solar panels visible from the street and an off-street battery. Jennifer Abeti, the permit coordinator covering the meeting, said panels would be black and that the battery would be located on the right side of the house, not visible from the street. The motion carried by roll call.
At 240 Salisbury Street the commission approved re-hanging historic shutters that will be mounted on hinges and are expected to appear operable; applicant Joe Tumi described the work as returning shutters to the library window and commissioners approved the certificate of appropriateness.
The commission approved an amendment to an awning at 191 Pleasant Street: owner Jonathan Mayu said he was substituting a hard metal awning for a previously approved cloth awning, reducing projection to about 3.5 feet to reduce encroachment and to allow concealed lighting; the certificate of appropriateness was approved by roll call.
The commission took no comment on two HUD-funded projects referred by Worcester Housing Division (25 K Burma Road and 29 Bridgeport Street) per the record and approved the minutes of the May 7 meeting before adjourning.
Votes and next steps: several items were approved unanimously on roll call. Two agenda items (including 49 William Street and 7 Westland Street) were continued to July 23, 2026 to allow applicants to submit requested documentation and revisions.
