Weston Historical Commission Approves Wellesley Street Renovations With Window Condition

WESTON -- August 22, 2023, Weston Historical Commission approves Wellesley Street renovation and clears contested Ridgeway Road garage for demolition. The commission voted 4-0 at its August 22 meeting to approve plans by architect Jane Grover to expand and renovate the circa-1862 home at 76 Wellesley Street, owned by Breck Bailey, with the approval conditioned on a separate determination about five original front windows following a site visit by member Henry S. Stone, Jr. The board also voted 4-0 to find a detached garage at 169 Ridgeway Road not historically significant, clearing the way for its demolition, despite objections from abutters who argued the owners, Rebecca Sykes and Joe DiGregorio, had not disclosed the full scope of their development plans, including a proposed carriage house, during prior approval proceedings. Co-Chair Phyllis Halpern held those concerns outside the commission's jurisdiction, saying the only question before the board was the garage's architectural merit. The commission also began early-stage planning to pursue a preservation deed restriction at the 487 Wellesley Street farmstead, a seven-and-a-half-acre property with a historic barn, directing staff to seek an appraisal proposal to be funded through the Community Preservation Committee.