GLOCESTER – The Glocester Historic District Commission weighed in on two proposals this month, passing a resolution in favor of one homeowner’s plan to place a historic corn crib barn in keeping with the 18th century house on his property, while vetoing a gas station owner’s request to erect a new lighted sign.
Owner Andrew Neave received a certificate of appropriateness for his proposal to erect the circa 1740-1760 barn on his Tanyard Lane lot. The barns were historically a type of granary used to dry and store corn.
According to town property records, Neave purchased the home in 2019 from previous owner Peter Neff. Commission records note that Neave plans to restore the exterior of the barn, which will have electricity but no plumbing, and foundation work will include cement
with stone face.
The commission, first appointed in 1991, was established to preserve the Chepachet Village Historic District and ensure that its properties reflect elements of cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history. The HDC adopted standards and guidelines in 2020 to review all new construction, including window replacements, paint color changes and other alterations, on the roughly 86 properties in the village.
Projects in the district must obtain approval from the HDC in order to obtain a building permit.
“Local historic district designation reflects Glocester’s desire to stabilize and improve property values in such historic districts, to preserve specific buildings, to foster civic beauty, to strengthen the local economy and to promote the use of such districts and specific buildings for
the education, pleasure and welfare of the residents of the town of Glocester,” the guidelines note.
In a resolution, the HDC notes that the Tanyard Lane property contributes to the historic district, has architectural significance and will improve the historic appearance of the village.
The commission denied another request for a certificate, however, submitted by property owner Elie Sleiman and Kara Kennedy, a representative of Chepachet Gas & Market at 1163 Putnam Pike. The pair applied to install a free standing 62 foot tall, five foot wide price sign on the property utilizing an existing foundation.
At a meeting before the commission, details on lighting and materials planned for the project were presented by a representative from contractor Station-Glo of New England and John LeClerc.
A certificate for that proposal was unanimously denied, with a resolution on the decision noting that, “materials presented for use on the sign were not in compliance with those approved by the Historic District Commission.”
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25 for the agenda found here. Full guidelines for alterations and construction on historic district properties can be found here.
