Board hears appeal over replacement of historic windows at 314 Belvedere Avenue

Property owner Joseph Wier appealed the HPC’s July decision on window replacements at 314 Belvedere Avenue (HPC-26-34). The City issued a Stop Work notice after a concerned citizen reported unapproved work; four second-story windows had already been replaced and the original sashes were stored on-site. The HPC allowed replacement of two non-historic windows but denied removal of the remaining historic wood windows and ordered restoration of the four removed sashes; the HPC decision passed unanimously (4–0).

Wier argued the Cambridge Historic District Design Guidelines permit substitute materials if in-kind replacement is not technically or economically feasible, said his proposal would preserve window openings and the house’s appearance, and cited an approximately $27,000 contract for 17 windows as evidence of economic burden. He asked the Board to either reverse or modify the HPC’s ruling or to conditionally allow the already-installed windows to remain while approving the remaining replacements under appearance conditions.

Staff reported it conducted the required in-depth survey after the belated application and concluded two of the 17 windows were non-historic (eligible for replacement) and 15 were historic; 14 of those were rated 'fair' and one 'poor' but repairable. Staff therefore recommended the Board affirm the HPC’s decision and required restoration of the four removed historic sashes. Nearby property owner Jeanette Pawlak filed written comments urging the Board to uphold the HPC to preserve neighborhood character.