Historical commission requests advisory report for proposed changes at 65 Bronfield Street

Newburyport Historical Commission members voted March 26 to ask the chair to prepare a DCOD advisory report on proposed alterations to 65 Bronfield Street, following a presentation by the project team and questions from commissioners.

The applicant described plans to remove a later rear addition and an accessory garage and to construct a new addition and an attached one-car garage. The project team presented a demolition calculation showing 30.2% of the building would be affected: roughly 7% of the square footage is from the original house and about 23.2% from an addition added in the 1980s. The team said the house likely dates to about 1849–1851 based on assessor records and district data sheets.

The presenter said the total new added square footage would be 375 square feet and that the new two-story addition would sit 2 feet, 6 inches below the existing ridge line so it reads as subordinate to the main house. The project architect noted the design pulls the accessory structure away from the property line and attaches it to the house "to give breathing room back to the neighboring property," which the presentation said pleased nearby residents Gus and Mary Lou.

Commissioners asked that original features such as the chimneys, front door and transom be retained and restored as needed; the project team confirmed those elements would remain. Commissioners and staff discussed window types and shutters, with the applicant proposing to unify window types and to remove some skylights. The project team said some existing windows are replacement sash and that period-appropriate two-over-one windows would be restored or replicated where appropriate.

Planning staff and the presenter clarified permitting implications: because the lot has two front yards (Chestnut is the primary frontage), the rear yard requires a 25-foot setback; the existing accessory structure sits roughly 14 feet from the rear lot line and therefore does not meet the setback and will require a special permit. The applicant confirmed the new garage will have a direct internal connection to the house.

After questions, a commissioner moved to have the chair prepare the DCOD advisory report; another commissioner seconded. The roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Scott Clark, Chris Fay, Ellen Marquee, Ed Normer, Sautell and the chair; the motion passed.

The applicant noted timing constraints: they had not yet filed an application to the ZDA and expected to apply before the next deadline, so the formal advisory report will be prepared ahead of the project's forthcoming application.

The commission’s vote was procedural: it sends the project forward with a written advisory finding but does not itself grant any building permits or special permits required by zoning.