Local Historic District Commission Objects to Vinyl Siding for Lincoln Avenue House

Report on the Meeting of the Local Historic District Commission, November 25, 2024

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded.

Present
Nancy Ratner (Chair), Greta Wilcox, Steve Bloom, Nicole Miller, and Elizabeth Sharpe.

Staff: Jacinta Williams (Planner)

The Local Historic District Commission (LHDC) objected to the plan of the owner of 328 Lincoln Avenue, to replace the damaged wood shake siding with horizontal vinyl siding, at their meeting of November 25.  Commissioner Steve Bloom stated that he felt allowing for vinyl siding sets a precedent that the LHDC should avoid. He said that vinyl does not bother him on a porch or railing, but that the wood shingles on this house are charming, and the proposed vinyl would change the character completely.

Owner Tom Crossman, who purchased the house in 2020, countered that the neighboring house has vinyl siding. Bloom replied that the neighboring house was sided before the creation of the LHDC, and that allowing more houses with the horizontal siding in the district sets a bad precedent. Greta Wilcox agreed with him, saying that she was glad that Crossman was fixing up the house, but that vinyl siding was not the way to go. She said that wood siding would enhance the value of the house.

Crossman stated that he could not afford wood or vinyl shakes, because the wood costs three times as much as the vinyl siding he wants to use and vinyl shakes cost four times as much. He said that the house is a rental, and vinyl requires less maintenance.

The commission denied permission to use the proposed vinyl siding by a vote of 5-0, but because the LHDC is only concerned with what is visible from the street, commissioners did say he could use the vinyl on the rear of the house. .Crossman then replied, “I am heartbroken. I grew up in Amherst. I love Amherst.” He stated that the previous owner allowed the house to deteriorate, and he is trying to improve it.

Commission Chair Nancy Ratner then suggested that they continue the discussion until January 27. Prior to that date, commissioners will do a site visit and evaluate at the vinyl siding that Crossman proposes to use for its appropriateness.

The commission then unanimously approved of replacing the railing and posts of a deck at 133 Fearing Street with vinyl.  They also issued a certificate of approval to Susannah Muspratt for replacing three windows and a door at 38 North Prospect Street that were damaged in a winter storm. Commissioners pointed out that, since the windows and door are in the rear of the house and are not visible from the street, Muspratt did not  need the approval of the LHDC, but Muspratt said because they were visible from Lincoln Avenue, she wanted the consent of the commission.