The lot at 28 Marion Road, Rochester, that has been vacant since a fire destroyed the bakery and cafe there in 2011 may finally see a house built upon it. First, however, the plan must get approval from the town Historic District Commission.
Acushnet engineer Nelson Bernardo, who had already received a building permit and had a bulldozer and material on site when he learned the parcel was in the town’s Historic District, met with the commission on July 31 so the panel could review his permit application.
He explained he wants to build a 34×40-square foot, two-story Colonial-style house with white trim and windows and a 6-degree angle roof pitch. Commission member Sarah Johnston was first to note her concern. She said a steeper, 8-pitch roof would be more authentic in the Historic District. Bernardo said the roof pitch is a financial consideration. A smaller roof pitch will not require the expensive use of staging in the construction phase. He said he would increase the roof pitch if he finds he can cut costs in other ways.
Chair Matthew Monteiro said his commission might mandate that condition if no one else in district has the same roof design. His main concern, however, was the need for a public hearing on this petition to seek the abutters’ input.
He added that there should be a one-time hearing, not a continued one as the town has seen with larger, more complex projects. Then he instructed Bernardo on the next steps: Send notices to all his abutters in 300-square-foot circumference, refine his plan, and wait through the 14 days that must elapse while the hearing is posted in The Wanderer.
The resulting tentative public hearing date was set for August 26. Bernardo asked what construction work he could do until then. “You mean I have to wait a month?” he asked. “I need to get going with things.”
Monteiro advised Bernardo the commission has no jurisdiction over the foundation, landscaping and the footprint so he can do “some work.” He then explained the new building commissioner was unaware the lot was in the Historic District. So, the Building Department has instructed the commission to deliver a list of all the addresses in the district to avoid a similar problem in the future.
The Rochester Historic District Commission’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, August 26 at 6:30 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Historic District Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco