[MassHistPres] How Heavy to Play It

[Jonathan Feist]

Hello,

A developer bought two houses in Harvard Common historical district  
and replaced all the original windows without an application. The new  
windows are your usual crappy contemporary window, with plastic  
stripes instead of muntins.

We sent a "cease and desist" type of letter when we saw this, and told  
him we needed an application. He claimed ignorance, though he actually  
went through the process once before, but said he was copying another  
window he saw used in the district (possible, but done long ago). He's  
submitting an application after the fact.

So, how heavy to play it? Insist that he replace the new windows with  
windows that we approve? That would be an extremely major expense, and  
he'd likely sue us over it. Let it go, just taking our lumps, and  
accepting that the damage is done? That sets a bad precedent.

Wondering about your thoughts.

Jonathan Feist, Chair
Harvard Historical Commission