Manchester Inn. 2004. By Paul Goldfinger ©
Historic preservation is in the hands of the HPC, but sometimes they can get overruled at the board level. Has the job being done to save our historical architecture been successful, or is our town in danger of losing its battle to remain historically relevant and accurate?
As you know, two very expensive homes were built where the Manchester used to reside, before it burned down in the winter of 2010. Today, an Ocean Grover alerted us to an analysis regarding those two new houses and whether or not they were created true to history.
This is the link which he sent. It is highly technical, but for those of you who like to dig into these matters, here it is:
It would be wonderful if the HPC were to respond to this critique, but that is not going to happen unless they change their mind about reaching out to our many readers.
I guess most of us trust the process in town of doing the right thing, but perhaps our confidence is misplaced. Make sure you read J. Cortese’s comment as well.—-PG
ps
Here is a link to a Charles Layton article in July 2011 regarding the approval process for those two new houses on the Ocean Pathway. Manchester article on BF Many commenters expressed concerns about favoritism and double standards at the Zoning Board.
MAUDE MAGGART sings Irving Berlin
–Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Actually, if Ocean Grove were like Disneyland, we’d all have enough PARKING!
It is largely unrealistic to think that a house built in the first quarter of the 21st century can be an exact authentic period replica of something built 135 years ago. What it can be is an attractive modern home built in the Victorian style, and both these homes meet that description as well as the two modern adjacent homes.
Contemporary construction methods and building codes are vastly different from those utilized in the 1880’s as are the building materials. We use fire retardant roof shingles not slate or wood shakes, thermal double or triple pane windows, and modern insulation techniques. Neptune Township and NJ State building codes prohibit the wood burning fireplaces common in the Victorian era. They require so called hurricane-resistent windows, hurricane bracing in the walls and fire suppression systems. We don’t generally build homes with plaster walls, and the thickness of sheetrock is specified by the building code as is the R value of insulation. We no longer use lead pipes or lead paint due to the possibility of lead poisoning from same.
So, you see, for a modern home to truly be a period authentic Victorian house is not possible. Even the 19th century homes in the Grove have all been modernized to some extent- they have indoor plumbing, running water, and modern appliances. They’re painted with latex paint and may likely have replacement windows/doors. You won’t find too many with the original plaster walls either. Not a truly Victorian period authentic home among them except for Centennial Cottage!
24″ high porch railings would appear to be a personal injury attorney’s dream come true!
It’s noteworthy that one of the aerial photos clearly shows solar panels on a rooftop visible from Ocean Pathway, surely not an authentic period Victorian detail.
It would have been more interesting and balanced had the builder been afforded the opportunity to comment or respond.
We are new to OG. We love where we live and love this blog. Admittedly, we are late to all the politics of recent fire and new construction. We looked for 2 years to find the perfect place. Most homes we looked at were falling apart, in such disrepair. We ended up buying new construction and are quite happy that it looks Victorian and is in wonderful condition. Although we can appreciate historical accuracy, we feel OG looks better with freshly painted, clean, well built properties.
Yesterday I biked up and down the streets of OG. There are so many homes with broken porches, railings, windows etc. You all know more about all the condemned homes than I do, but I am shocked that there isn’t more conversation on these eye sores. As homes age, OG will continue to be faced with trying to restore, repair, or rebuild.
Mr Roginski’s analysis is very interesting but I think his criteria would be more appropriate in determining which OG houses should win architectural awards – not to judge if the HPC is doing their job. I think the houses he reviews already fit in nicely in OG (not counting set back problems mentioned by another commenter).
I also do not like his proposed solution to the rail height problem he discusses. We need to preserve OG history but there has to be some compromise to allow for owners’ rights and local codes.
It’s a very interesting critical assessment of the structures. Nontheless, I thinks it’s unfair to compare these homes to “Disneyworld”. We are not living in a museum here, regardless of what some would like to believe.
It seems ironic that the HPC, with all of it’s power, cannot provide feedback and guidance that would have prevented the aesthetic deficiencies raised by the author. Instead, they want to focus on imposing their will on the more typical homeowner that does not have the resources to resist their decisions.
The real goal should be preserving the existing, significant historic homes. Once gone the truth is they cannot be replaced with anything as worthy as they were.
The referenced homes are the best you are going to get.
After reading the linked article (architectual analysis) check out the reader comments at the bottom of the web page for additional interesting insight into these houses and the approval process they went through.
Flame me, but the replacement homes are beautiful and fit well with the rest of Ocean Pathway. Condos — not so much. Our housing stock is of very mixed quality. A lot of homes would benefit from being rebuilt — as long as the rebuild is of high quality and conforms with HPC.
If by Disneyland you mean beautiful and perfect, then that sounds good to me. Given how many homes need very significant work, however, I don’t think this is a very realistic possibility.
Maybe we should have more modest goals such as having all homes with front porches that are not rotting and warped. Or maybe having all homes painted within the last 5 years. Or all homes with their landscapes tended to. Or all homes with their sidewalks in good repair. You get my point.
First of all, let’s remember that the Historical Preservation Commission in its infinite “wisdom” approved the Gannon “bank” on Ocean Avenue.
As for the “new” Manchester structure on Ocean Pathway, it –and its companion–violated the flare so critical to the enclave’s design and environmental accommodation. They were also built too high in terms of that restriction.
So let’s not split hairs about the height of the factory-produced railings which are already an issue of durability or the similar construct for the front door entry way..