Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic committee approves after‑the‑fact porch enclosure at 17 Franz Road
Summary
After the owner admitted to enclosing a front porch without prior approval, the historic‑district committee voted 4–0 to approve an order of appropriateness for 17 Franz Road; members expressed concern about the unpermitted work and about the proposed shutter color.
The town's Historic District Committee voted to approve an order of appropriateness for 17 Franz Road after the homeowner acknowledged completing porch and window work before filing for approval. The applicant told the committee he "enclosed the porch" under the existing roof to create more upstairs seating and asked the panel for "forgiveness and permission."
Committee members reviewed before‑and‑after photos and discussed the scope of the changes: replacement or relocation of a front door and windows, removal of two rear sliding glass doors, and enlargement of a kitchen window. The chair said the structure and roof line were retained and that ordinary maintenance rules can cover like‑for‑like replacements. A motion to approve "the order of appropriateness application as permit presented" was moved and seconded and passed by a 4–0 vote.
The vote followed members' exchanges about process and authority: members stressed the committee's limited enforcement power when an existing architectural feature or color is already present, and noted applicants retain the option to request a continuance if they want to revise plans. The applicant confirmed the survey and thanked the committee after the decision.
