Historic Mistake: Man Upgraded Home Without OK

In early July, Andrew Leff purchased what he thought was simply a charming old home that needed a lot of work, but what he later found was that his home was not only steeped in history, but also subjected to the rules of a local ordinance designed to preserve homes in designated historical districts in Washington Township.

Leff, who went before the Washington Township Historical Preservation Commission on Aug. 17, was met with criticism from commission members for replacing original windows in the home that was built in the late 1800s without first seeking approval. 

Commission President Eileen Stokes said Leff was told in early August that he had to seek approval first, but by that point Leff had already ordered new windows from Home Depot that were scheduled to be installed in four days.

Leff told the commission that he contacted Stokes several times once he received a letter stating that he had to get permission first and he also contacted Home Depot to stop the delivery and installation.

“I got in touch with three representatives from Home Depot, but I was told there was nothing that could be done because I had signed a contract,” said Leff.

Leff told the commission he has spent $8,000 replacing 17 windows and that the original windows have been stored.

Leff, who purchased the home through Weichert Realtors, said he was never told that the home he was purchasing was located in a historic district that might be subjected to building rules designated by a local ordinance.

Arriving at the meeting with one of the old windows with a broken glass wrapped in a green plastic bag, Leff told the commission that he wanted to get the windows replaced as soon as possible because he has children and he was concerned about the lead paint on the windows.

Stokes pointed out that since the window sills with lead paint remained, that there was still a danger that the children could be exposed to the paint.

“The purpose of designating a historic district is so that all of the homes will support one another and the purpose of historic preservation is to maintain as much of the original character and material of the home,” said Stokes.

Members of the commission said they were surprised that Leff was not informed about the requirement to seek permission from the commission when he applied for permits with the Washington Township Building Department.

“While there is no need for a permit to replace windows of the same size, someone should have informed Mr. Leff when he mentioned he was replacing windows, considering he lives in a historic district, that he would need approval from the commission,” said Stokes.

A number of options were discussed, from the requirement that Leff return all of the original windows to the structure, to storing the original windows to be used by a future owner if feasible.

The commission agreed to consider all options and discuss the matter again at its next meeting scheduled for Sept. 7.

The commission handed Leff his window and told him to keep it safely stored with the others until a final decision is made. Leff could face a daily fine in the range of $25 to $50.

Architect Seeks Approval to Restore the Button Ball Farm 

Another new Middle Valley Resident, Juan Carlos Gutierrez, who purchased a historic home located at 25 Middle Valley Road in July, presented plans to the commission to restore and stabilize the home built in 1870.  

Gutierrez proposes to install wood columns, railings and stairs on the porch with historically appropriate details. In addition he will be removing a small window in the south west façade of the house that was installed in 1956.

Gutierrez is an architect who was part of the team who restored the stables in New York City’s Central Park that were originally built in 1810. 

The commission approved all of the work proposed by Gutierrez which also includes: rebuilding, repairing and repointing two chimneys and their decorative corbelling, replacing the roof with wood shingles based on evidence in the attic of a pre-existing shingled roof, and changing two windows in the rear of the house–to restore the original symmetry and one to accommodate a new bathroom.