HLRB asks applicant to revisit vinyl-siding plan for 32 Rockland Place amid asbestos and material concerns
September 09, 2026 | New Rochelle City, Westchester County, New York
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Eric Brinkerhoff, representing Power Home Remodeling Group, presented a plan to replace existing gray siding at 32 Rockland Place with a solid-core vinyl product (Regatta Blue). Brinkerhoff said the contractor chose vinyl to encapsulate existing asbestos-containing cementitious tiles and to limit disturbance: "The reason why the Regatta Blue was chosen is that behind this house there is a currently existing structure or home, that matches it identically..." he added, describing material samples and energy-efficiency claims.
A board member cautioned that vinyl siding is not typically approved in the historic district and urged the applicant to present alternative materials and a stronger justification. Anthony Costello, a project manager for Power Home Remodeling, framed the siding as a safety-conscious approach for asbestos-containing material, saying the encapsulation approach "encapsulates the asbestos tiles, in a way that it'll be sealed off" and argued this would reduce neighborhood exposure compared with full abatement.
Board members asked the applicant to provide comparative material options (hardy board, painted alternatives), documentation on asbestos friability and encapsulation safety, and a rationale tied to the HLRB's design guidelines. The board put the application on hold and asked the applicant to return with additional research, alternative materials, and any economic-hardship or safety evidence that might support an approval pathway.
Why it matters: The proposal raises competing priorities — public-health/safety concerns tied to asbestos-containing siding and the HLRB's role in preserving historic materials and streetscape character. The board requested technical documentation and alternatives before approving any change to the primary facade.
Next steps: Applicants will consult staff for guidelines and return with additional material options and documentation; the application was held for a future meeting.
A board member cautioned that vinyl siding is not typically approved in the historic district and urged the applicant to present alternative materials and a stronger justification. Anthony Costello, a project manager for Power Home Remodeling, framed the siding as a safety-conscious approach for asbestos-containing material, saying the encapsulation approach "encapsulates the asbestos tiles, in a way that it'll be sealed off" and argued this would reduce neighborhood exposure compared with full abatement.
Board members asked the applicant to provide comparative material options (hardy board, painted alternatives), documentation on asbestos friability and encapsulation safety, and a rationale tied to the HLRB's design guidelines. The board put the application on hold and asked the applicant to return with additional research, alternative materials, and any economic-hardship or safety evidence that might support an approval pathway.
Why it matters: The proposal raises competing priorities — public-health/safety concerns tied to asbestos-containing siding and the HLRB's role in preserving historic materials and streetscape character. The board requested technical documentation and alternatives before approving any change to the primary facade.
Next steps: Applicants will consult staff for guidelines and return with additional material options and documentation; the application was held for a future meeting.
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