HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_01_12-270 Jerusalem Project NarrativeLarge Home Planning Review Application January 12, 2021
Narrative Summary
270 Jerusalem Road is a yellow brick home - roughly 6,500 sf, built in 1905 with a 1920's sleeping porch addition.
The Meehan family bought the home last year and have hired Meyer & Meyer, Inc. to update the home, while
giving it some elegant curb appeal. This includes a new garage and mudroom addition, an elevator tower, as well
as an entry drive-through.
Although the previous owners received permission to subdivide the original lot into two, the Meehans have
decided not to proceed with the subdivision of the land, preserving the lot as a whole and preventing development
of an additional structure in the neighborhood.
Site Plan: The existing driveway will remain the same as it is now. In order to improve traffic flow, the Owners have
asked for a secondary access from Jerusalem Road that would also have the added benefit of improving fire
department access. We plan on meeting with DPW to review the curb cut. The existing drive approach and parking
court is an impermeable asphalt which we will be revising to be a permeable assembly.
Design: The existing front facade is very horizontal and disconnected from the front lawn and looks more
institutional than residential. We propose the vertical element of the elevator tower to break up the horizontality
of the facade. Additionally, we are proposing an offset to the roofline to break up the massing and lend a more
residential scale to the facade. A stone terrace out front connects the kitchen to the lawn, providing more depth
and interest on the facade.
Restoration: The previous owners before the Meehans had not lived in the house for 5 years and the neglect is
evident throughout the exterior (and interior) of the home. Leaks occurred without being caught, water ran behind
the brick in areas because of gutters that weren't cleaned and a roof leak that wasn't fixed; there are rotten roof
rafters and rotten exterior trim. Pipes burst and were left unattended.
We had a structural engineer go through the house this summer and note that the walls are in rough shape and
areas of the roof framing are deficient. A contractor suggested we tear down the house as it will be more
expensive to save what is here. But the Meehans have been set against tearing down the structure; they love the
home and its history and are committed to restoration.
Materials: All yellow brick that is existing to remain is to be repointed and repaired where water has caused facade
damage. The leaning chimneys and deteriorated brick gable pediment will be rebuilt in kind. Any brick that is being
removed for the proposed additions is to be salvaged and reused. Fieldstone walls throughout will compliment the
brick and fieldstone terraces will add a strong architectural 'base' to the composition. The roof is to be slate with
copper detailing, including copper gutters and downspouts.
Landscape: The goal is to preserve the surrounding gardens along Jerusalem Rd and by the large ledge
outcropping. We are planning on using native species in keeping with the existing. Significant tree specimens will
be preserved. For landscape lighting, we are providing a ‘dark sky’ compliant scheme. Flood lights will be on
motion detectors. All exterior lights will be dimmable, have a warm color temperature and diffusing lenses where
appropriate.