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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-A053 189 Center Street Greenhow CommentsI IF April 22, 2025 To: Old King's Highway Committee c/o Lisa Sherman 1146 Rte 28 South Yarmouth, MA 02664 Robert Wilkins, Chair Sara Porter, Architect Paul Grimble, Member John Stuart, Alternate Regarding: Application 25-AO23 Kelly MCGuill Cindy Ecker, Vice Chair Paula Morrison, Member John Grady, Alternate APR 2 9 1025 189 Center St Old King s Highway Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 Historic District Dear Chairman Robert Wilkins and the Old King's Highway Committee: I am writing to support my neighbor Kelly McGuill's application 25-AO23 to replace roof, siding, trim, deck boards, doors, windows and deck posts and paint her house located at 189 Center St. I have been familiar with this property my entire life as my grandparents owned the abutting home at 201 Center St., and I own my home and live at 221 Center St. It is heartening to see the property purchased by Ms. McGuill with her clear love for this historic home that has been a fixture in my life for many years. I fully support Ms. MCGuiLL'S plan as presented in her application to improve the property, which has over the past many years fallen into disrepair. I understand there is concern about the roof shingles, gutters, and the paint color. First, regarding roof shingles, my grandfather who lived next door told me that the home had asphalt shingles from some point in the 1940s until Granny Chalke bought the property from the Eldridge's in 1968. Wood shingles are not common because they are not practical roofing material in this area. In addition, the roof shingles are barely visible from the street due to the trees that have grown in front of the house over the past 50 years. The roof material has no historic value since the modern asphalt shingle makes an excellent alternative with similar appearance. Replacing wood shakes with asphalt roofing is a common accepted practice in the historic district. Second, replacing wood gutters with aluminum or fiberglass gutters that mimic the Boston pattern ogee of a wood gutter is a common practice in our historic district. The difference cannot be discerned from the street (or in most cases from the ground looking up). Having had to spend many summers maintaining the wooden gutters at my grandparents' house next door at 201 Center St I can personally attest that there is no aesthetic advantage that outweighs the practical performance of the non -wood alternatives available. Finally, regarding paint color, when the property was purchased by Hugh Hilliard from Mr. Granville Chalke in 1985 the home was white with dark green shutters and accents. In addition, Section 7 of the Old Kings Highway Bulletin March 1, 2022 based on the 1973 regulations notes "The exterior color of any building structure within the District may be changed to white without the filing of an application for, or the issuance of, a certificate of appropriateness..." Furthermore, the FAQ's on the site (Old King`s.Highw.ay_Hi.stori.r.bi_strict l Town of Yarmouth, MA - Official W0.site) say: "Painting anything white does not require approval. Changing from a color to white does not require approval." I appreciate your taking the time to read my letter and consider my endorsement of the plans for 189 Center St in your decision making process. Thank you very much. V�_, ours, Seareenhow 221 Center St o Yarmouth Part, MA 02675 617-999-3099 APR 2 9 2025 Old King's Highway Historic Distract