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Architectural board tables demolition-and-rebuild plans for 42 East Orange, urges preservation study
Summary
The Board received a Historic Significance Report for 42 East Orange and, after neighbor testimony and inconsistent plans proposing more than 50% demolition, voted to table the application and asked the applicants to submit revised plans that preserve the historic upright portion.
The Village of Chagrin Falls Architectural Board of Review on June 2 received a Historic Significance Report for the property at 42 East Orange and voted to table an application that proposed substantial demolition and reconstruction.
John Fischer, the project architect, and homeowner David Stecker presented plans that included a deeper basement and taller ceilings and—according to Building and Zoning Inspector Dominic Cribari—would require a variance for a nonconforming 12-foot front-yard setback. The submitted materials included an alternative set of drawings that retained the historic upright gable portion, but the Board found the overall submission inconsistent and incomplete for a demolition determination.
The HSR dated the house to about 1883 and described it as an upright-and-wing type. Neighbor Janine Bauman (42 East Orange) urged the Board to protect the street’s historic character and to preserve the upright wing shown in the historic image included in the report.
Because the applicants proposed demolition exceeding 50 percent of the building, the Board said a formal demolition vote would be required but that such a vote should follow presentation of complete and consistent plans. The Board framed tabling as the route that preserves applicants’ ability to revise and resubmit; a denial, by contrast, would close the application.
The Board moved to table the submission and directed the applicants to revise and restudy plans that more clearly reflect preservation of the upright-and-wing form. The motion to table passed on a roll call vote.
