Commission approves new house at 929 Stillwell Street with nine stipulations after debate over scale and fence

The IHPC voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for a proposed two-story single-family house with a three-car garage at 929 Stillwell Street, but not before a lengthy hearing in which staff said the design remained problematic for the Cottage Home Conservation Area Plan while commissioners emphasized the site's unusual context.

Applicant Matthew Pagan of PADD Architecture described design revisions including more separation between front gables, moving the chimney, reducing gable size and adding fenestration to the garage to make the structure feel more "cottage-like." "Hopefully, you feel the same way that these improvements help most of the concerns that you guys had last time," he said.

Staff reviewer Morgan Marlejo told the commission, "Staff does not believe the request is compliant with the Cottage Home Conservation Area Plan and does not address the commissioner's comments completely from the previous hearing," citing concerns about height, massing and complexity even while acknowledging some improvements such as additional garage windows.

Commissioners split on the outcome: several members who had visited the site said the unusual lot and surrounding bulk made the proposed house more acceptable on this block, while others repeatedly raised objections to the tall sections of the fence and the complex roof configuration. Property owner Jason Owens said the team is willing to work with staff on fence adjustments and supply a roof plan to clarify massing.

Meg Bush read a staff recommendation that the commission approve the certificate of appropriateness with nine stipulations; the commission moved, seconded and approved the motion. Stipulations require IHPC staff approval of final construction drawings (including a roof plan), a pre-construction meeting before construction begins, and field staking approved by staff prior to construction, among other standard requirements.