Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission asks redesign, detailed plans for proposed seven-unit building at 49 William Street
Summary
The Worcester Historical Commission continued review of a proposed seven-unit building at 49 William Street to July 23, asking the applicants for full architectural drawings, a window/door schedule and design revisions (smaller uniform dormers, a central entry, and reduced balcony depth) to better fit the local historic district. An abutter raised tree-removal concerns.
The Worcester Historical Commission on June 25, 2026 continued consideration of a proposed seven-unit building at 49 William Street and told the applicants to return with revised designs that better reflect the proportions and detailing of the surrounding historic neighborhood.
Attorney Donald O'Neal, representing owner Tabella Cedar LLC, described the project as a seven-unit structure with eight parking spaces on a currently vacant lot. "We're proposing to build a seven-unit structure with eight parking spaces," O'Neal said, and asked the commission for early feedback because the project will later require planning-board site-plan approval.
Raphael Hernandez of Acropolis Design, the project's architect, presented preliminary renderings showing a mansard (Second Empire–style) roof with dormers, cement-board siding, shingled roof, CPVC/vinyl windows and metal balconies. "In the basement level there's an apartment and some common areas for the tenants," Hernandez said, describing the proposed layout of two three-bedroom units on each main floor.
Commissioners raised multiple design concerns. The commission asked for a clear central entry rather than the multiple front openings shown in the renderings, recommended replacing or reducing the depth of the projecting balconies in favor of bay windows or shallower decorative balconies, and urged smaller, uniformly sized dormers and a stronger cornice/trim band between the roof and the second floor to create an appropriate visual separation. The commission also said that if the design is intended to read as Second Empire, the team should follow the style's characteristic symmetry and proportions rather than apply only a mansard roof to a modern massing.
Michelle Johnson, city staff, and commissioners told the applicants that renderings were not sufficient for final review. The commission requested a full set of architectural drawings and a window and door schedule. Johnson noted the project will also need site-plan review at the planning division because any building with more than four units requires planning-board approval.
An abutter, Kelly Miller of 51 William Street, told the commission she was concerned about mature maple trees near the lot line that the applicants' preliminary site plan showed would be affected by the proposed rear parking area. "There are a lot of mature primarily maple trees on this lots that separate our lot from this property," Miller said; the applicants said they would identify larger-diameter trees for potential protection during the forthcoming planning-board process and would present a more detailed landscaping plan.
The commission left public comment open and continued the item to the July 23, 2026 meeting, setting an extended constructive grant deadline of August 7, 2026. The chair and commissioners voted to continue the item so the applicants can return with revised plans and the requested documentation.
Next steps: the applicants are to produce full architectural plans, a window and door schedule, and revised elevations that address symmetry, dormer sizing, cornice/trim detail and the entry configuration before the commission takes a final vote.
