STRATFORD — The homeowners of the previous Masonic temple are one step nearer to changing the 102-year-old constructing into an condominium advanced.
The Architectural Evaluate Board voted unanimously final week to endorse plans to increase and redevelop the Fundamental Road construction right into a 38-unit residential constructing.
However the five-member advisory board, which is tasked with guaranteeing tasks adhere to the city’s design tips, advisable the homeowners rethink a number of elements of the proposal, together with plans to construct a three-story addition above a sequence of columns.
The fee expressed concern that using load-bearing columns, which might permit for a parking storage underneath the addition, would make the constructing seem to drift above the bottom.
“It simply doesn’t work,” mentioned Board member Tom Szarkowicz. “You might have this hulking mass on these skinny columns. And I admire the display wall try, but it surely actually doesn’t carry the mass down prefer it must.”
Dubbed “Temple Court docket City Houses,” the homeowners are proposing to renovate the constructing’s inside and assemble an growth within the rear that will double the dimensions of the previous temple.
The proposal was submitted underneath the city’s transit-oriented improvement laws, which permits residences on sure areas alongside Fundamental Road which are close to the Stratford prepare station.
Architectural plans present the prevailing constructing would largely be gutted to make means for 17 residences with both one or two bedrooms. The renovated temple would additionally characteristic first-floor retail area for a small espresso store or the same enterprise.
Within the rear of the property, the homeowners plan to construct a three-story addition that would come with 21 residences and would stand over a storage with about two dozen parking areas. Your entire website would characteristic 43 parking areas.
Like the prevailing constructing, the three-story addition can be made up of one-bedroom and two-bedroom models. The roof would even be capped with photo voltaic panels to assist energy the advanced.
George Wiles, an architect engaged on the challenge, mentioned the addition would largely match the prevailing constructing’s pink brick design scheme, which can stay unchanged if the proposed condominium challenge is authorised.
Along with the advice concerning the constructing columns, the board additionally advised the homeowners incorporate design parts from the prevailing constructing into the growth, improve the landscaping with extra numerous vegetation, embody pedestrian entry from the rear of the constructing to the prepare station and make sure the retail area is prominently displayed.
“Our mission is to … be sure that we’re guardians of the constructed atmosphere right here on the town, and we take it critically, particularly in relation to tasks proper right here on Fundamental Road,” Chairman James Millward mentioned.
Barry Knott, an legal professional representing the property’s homeowners, James and Dianne Colgan, pushed again towards the board’s criticisms and advised their issues have been “a lot ado about nothing.”
“That is the smallest transit-oriented challenge that has ever come earlier than this city,” he mentioned. “There are not any residential properties affected by it, apart from the people who find themselves sleeping in Union Cemetery.”
The constructing, which was constructed in 1920, was initially the house of the native Masonic Temple Affiliation earlier than finally turning into medical workplaces. Property data present the Colgan’s bought the previous temple for greater than $1 million in 2016.
The Stratford Zoning Fee, which may have closing say over the proposal, is scheduled to assessment the challenge at its Oct. 26 assembly.
Richard Chumney might be reached at richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com
