HDC approves restorations, roofs and carriage-house updates at 21 Clay Street

The commission approved a comprehensive application for 21 Clay Street that included replacement of later roofing with wood shingles to match original materials, selective window restorations and alterations to the carriage house to make the second-floor apartment habitable. Applicants Julian Wassenawar and Mohammed Farzahar (speaker 11 and speaker 7) described the work as stewardship: "Are we caring for this house's custodians for the families that will come after us?" the applicant asked, framing the project as preservation-minded adaptation.

Architectural historian Michael Kathrens (speaker 5) told the commission the proposed window changes restore the building's symmetry and align with period details, and he endorsed the replacement windows that match known George Champlin Mason profiles. Commissioners discussed confirming historical evidence for specific openings before work begins and asked the applicants to coordinate shop drawings for new dormers, the proposed skylight and the proposed wood shingle roofs. The HDC voted to accept the application as presented and issue a certificate of appropriateness for the accepted items.