Harwich Historic Commission Approves 1826 Bank Street Renovation With Design Conditions

HARWICH — April 15, 2026 — Harwich Historic District and Historical Commission cleared a renovation of an 1826 Bank Street structure and opened a preliminary study of a potential historic district expansion at its April 15 meeting. The commission voted 4-0 to approve HH2026-09, authorizing owner Timothy Ewart to proceed with a partial demolition and reconstruction of additions at 166 Bank Street, with conditions requiring dark blue, high-gloss, four-panel shutters and front door after architect Antonia Butwell of AB Design Collaborative addressed four design concerns raised at the March 18 meeting, including elimination of a proposed front porch and reduction of dormers on the main cape from three to two. A barn demolition case at 97 Route 28, HH2026-08, was continued to May 20 for the second consecutive month after Chair Mary Mazleski acknowledged the commission had not yet obtained a legal opinion from town counsel on whether plans under an existing preservation restriction may be revised. A new workshop garage application at 475 Sisson Road was also continued to May 20, with the commission signaling approval would likely require a concrete slab and brick veneer foundation rather than the proposed sonotube footings. Members informally divided research assignments to assess whether Main Street to South Street, Bank Street, Route 39 to the rail trail, and Oak Street should be added to the historic district, with a goal of producing a town meeting article for May 2027.