HomeMy WebLinkAboutHorn Comments Addressing Public CommentDear Members of the Old King's Highway Historic District Commission,
Please accept my apologies for submitting this letter at the last minute, especially with tonight's meetfng
approaching. I only recently became aware of Mr. Miller's public comment submission and wanted to
take the opportunity to address several of the points he raised. I hope you will have a moment to read
this response before considering the applicatfon.
I respectiully submit the following response to the comments provided by Mr. Miller regarding the
revised plans for 101 Maushop Avenue.
The revised proposal reflects substantfal changes made specifically in response to the Commission's
comments from the previous hearing. These changes include:
• Reducing the garage from three bays to two.
• Reducing the overall building mass and footprint.
• Reorientfng the structure by 90 degrees to lessen its visual impact from Maushop Avenue.
• Setting the accessory building farther back on the lot.
• Eliminatfng the separate driveway, reducing pavement and preserving the existfng streetscape.
• Relocatfng the entrance to create a more cohesive relatfonship with the existfng house.
• Maintaining a simple Cape-style design that is clearly secondary to the principal residence.
Mr. Miller states that the building is "approximately 80%" the size of the existfng home and therefore
appears to be a second dwelling. However, whether a structure is subordinate is not determined by a
single percentage. Placement on the lot, orientatfon, architectural relatfonship to the principal house,
visibility from the public way, and overall compatfbility with the historic district are all relevant
consideratfons. The revised plans directly address each of these elements.
Mr. Miller also states that the revised structure appears to be a second home because it includes its own
entrance. An accessory dwelling must, by necessity, have an entrance to be functfonal. The existence of
an entrance does not make it a second principal residence. The property will contfnue to contain one
principal dwelling with one permitted accessory dwelling.
The photographs submitted with the applicatfon were not intended to replace or avoid revisions to the
design. They were provided solely as contextual examples demonstratfng that detached garages and
accessory buildings associated with historic homes are well-established throughout the Old King's
Highway Historic District.
I sincerely appreciate the Commission's thoughtiul feedback throughout this process. Every revision has
been made in good faith to respond to the concerns raised during prior hearings while preserving the
intended use of the project. I respectiully ask that the applicatfon be evaluated based on the revised
plans, the applicable design standards, and the substantfal modificatfons that have been made in
response to the Commission's guidance.
Thank you for your tfme, your consideratfon, and your service to our community.
Respectiully,
Rebecca Horn