MARBLEHEAD — Roughly a dozen residents living in close proximity to the historic Bartlett’s Garage came out in opposition of plans involving a second addition to the property at an Old and Historic District Commission meeting Tuesday, fearing that the contractors will be altering the 108-year history of the family business and views of historic landmarks.
Located on 1 Stacey St., the family business has been in operation for more than a century, and for the last 50 years had been owned by brothers Greg and Mike Quillen. In March, they decided to close the garage.
The buyer, Michael Rockett, purchased the property with the intent to house and maintain the Quillen brothers’ car collection.
The commission voted 3-1 to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the work being done at the property with an amendment that the applicant will be approved for windows, doors, garage doors, mechanicals, and exterior features before they are ordered.
During the public hearing, which lasted roughly an hour, abutter Katherine Howe spoke during the public comment portion in opposition of the proposed structure that would be added on top of the existing property, arguing that it would significantly impact the view of the Historic District.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Howe thanked the commission for taking matters like this seriously, as she stated buildings in her hometown have an average lifespan of 20 years.
“I feel like I’m in a particular position to appreciate the value of a Historical Commission that enforces guidelines to make sure we live in a fascinating and interesting place that is aware of its history,” she said.
She added that she was happy that someone had stepped in to restore and keep the garage’s history alive, but vehemently disagreed with making the building taller.
“We’re so excited to have a neighbor who loves cars and wants to use it for its original purpose. We think that would be a really wonderful addition to the neighborhood,” she said. “But, there is actually no historical basis for the addition of a new height to the building.”
Rockett’s contractors Walter Jacob and Eli Albanese presented amended drawings and renderings of the new property. The commission stated that the new proposal had already significantly cut down the height of the new addition.
Jacob countered Howe’s argument, saying that extensive research had already been conducted to make sure that the addition will not alter any views of the district, specifically in regard to the steeple at Old North Church.
“With respect to this blocking the church, we did do studies from that side. We specifically studied and made sure the structure was subservient to the church,” Jacob said. “I’ve looked at that church from the harbor plenty of times, I’d be surprised if you could see what we’re proposing here from the harbor.”
Earlier, Howe had presented multiple pictures of various 10-foot garage structures in other communities, claiming that there were no examples of two-story garages in residential districts. Jacob countered by listing multiple examples, including one that his grandfather owned where he stored hundreds of tires on the second floor.
“I think it’s easy to say there’s a hundred one-story garages, but there are a lot of structures that have garage uses on the lower level and four or five stories above, depending on the residential district,” Jacob said.
Michael Fuenfer was the only member that voted against providing the certificate, agreeing with Howe’s argument.
“I think Ms. Howe makes a pretty compelling case,” Fuenfer said. “I wouldn’t support an addition that’s higher than the level of the present structure.”
Member Bob Bragdon offered his comments before the vote in support of the proposed addition.
“I think it’s nice that we can keep this as an industrial-looking building,” Bragdon said. “Through work with the commission, we appreciate your work with us on this, (we) got it to a place where it really aligned with the guidelines we have to live with.”
Member Gary Amberik was late to the initial hearing, thus not able to vote. However, he stated that he believes the commission has done well in regard to maintaining the historical architecture of the garage through the process.
