Owners seek construction variances for Vita Serena

With more than half of Vita Serena demolished, an attorney for the landmarked homes owners will request variances from the Town Council on Wednesday that would move reconstruction forward.

Removal of weak roof sections led to the collapse of the homes western wall in July. In September, the contractor working on the restoration project demolished the center, eastern portion of the Palladian-style home. Thats when the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved additional demolition because of structural problems caused by wood rot and termites.

Attorney Maura Ziska will ask the council for variances that would allow the home, at 105 Clarendon Ave., to be reconstructed to its original dimensions. Architect Marion Sims Wyeth designed Vita Serena in 1926.

When more than half of an existing homes material is removed, property owners have to follow current zoning codes related to height, property setbacks and other factors.

Todays building code requires the building be set back a minimum of 30 feet from the western property line. Ziska is asking to reduce that to 2.2 feet-13 feet. She also wants permission to install a sloped roof instead of a flat roof, to reduce another setback from a minimum of 35 feet to 19.8-29.4 feet and to build to a height of 26 feet instead of 25 feet.

In November, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 5-2 to advise the council that approving the variances would not negatively impact the architecture of the landmark.

The commission approved the restoration and expansion project in late 2013. Progress has been bumpy, largely because of the condition of the 88-year-old structure.

In July, building officials visited the site after the homes primary western wall collapsed. Removing the second-floor roof, which had been approved, precipitated the collapse.

On Sept. 4, the town ordered work to stop after learning the 20-foot, easternmost block of the house had been demolished two days earlier without permission. On Sept. 17, the Landmarks board voted 6-1 to approve that demolition and the demolition of the rest of Vita Serena. Chairman William Cooley dissented.

At that meeting, structural engineer Albert Gargiulo detailed and showed evidence of extensive wood rot and termite damage.

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Owners seek construction variances for Vita Serena