The South End Landmark District Commission unanimously approved a design review application as submitted for 583 Tremont St. at the commission’s monthly public hearing held virtually on Sept. 1.
The scope of the proposed project as outlined in the application included modifying the existing storefront entry; installing lighting at the front façade; installing signage at front facade, and installing a blade sign, according to the applicant.
Commissioner Christopher Debord made the motion to accept the application as submitted, which was unanimously approved by himself, Chair John Amodeo, and Commissioners John Freeman, Catherine Hunt, Felicia Jacques, Kevin Ready, and Peter Sanborn.
Commissioner Debord’s motion included a proviso that plans for the second-story windows, as well as for the proposed lighting, must be submitted to and approved by staff prior to work commencing.
In another matter, the commission unanimously supported a motion to approve as submitted a design review application for 56 Rutland Square, which proposes the replacement of a fence at the front garden with a new fence.
The motion to accept the application came with provisos that the existing fence, which was reportedly found in a trench on the Southwest Corridor, be salvaged or somehow recycled, if possible; and that final approval be remanded to staff, with the applicant working together with staff to explore alternate designs.
Regarding a violation for 160 West Newton St. for an unapproved railing installed at the stoop, the commission unanimously supported a motion put forth by Commissioner Sanborn to ratify the violation, with a proviso that the applicant remove the railing and repair the surrounding masonry within 60 days.
Details of the restoration would also be remanded to staff for final approval per the motion.
In another matter, the commission reviewed a violation for 170 West Canton St., which entails the removal of all existing windows at the front elevations and the installation of new historically accurate two-over-two, double-hung windows with Separated Divided Light and traditional profiles.
In making his unanimously supported motion on this violation, Commissioner Freeman noted that based on evidence the commission has, four curved-sash windows were previously installed in a bow on the second floor, although they have since been replaced with straight-stash windows.
Commissioner Freeman also said it’s not in the purview of the commission to retroactively review the specifics of past applications that have previously come before them, or the commission’s subsequent determinations on such applications.
(Attorney Marc LaCasse noted that the applicant had received previous approvals from the commission for the work, which made no specific mention of curved-sash windows.)
This matter was continued, while the applicant was asked to check in within 90 days to give a progress update.
Meanwhile, a design review application for 10 Bradford St., which was continued from the commission’s Aug. 4 public hearing, and entails the replacement of an exterior entry door, was moved to administrative review.
Likewise, a design review application for 99 Pembroke St., which proposes the installation of a roof deck and roof hatch, was also moved to administrative review.
A design review application for 403 Shawmut Ave., which proposed the demolition of an existing six-story building at that location and construction of a new six-story building in its place, was withdrawn by the applicant.
