New Windows For Rutgers Prep, Roof Repairs For Stage House Among Historic Preservation Approvals

A small grease fire on New Year’s Day at Stage House Tavern prompted its owners to seek historic commission’s approval for fixes to the building’s exhaust system.

The replacement of 49 windows at Rutgers Preparatory School and roof repairs for the Stage House Tavern were among the approvals granted Sept. 2 by the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission.

Peter Richardson, Rutgers Prep’s director of operations, told the commission that more than four dozen windows needed to be replaced.

“They’re old and brittle,” he said. “One already cracked when a lacrosse ball hit it.”

The 11.25” x 12” windows face Easton Avenue and are on three of the four sides of the building, Richardson said.

Stage House chef Eric Hambrecht told the commission that the popular restaurant needs to change its kitchen exhaust system. A small fire on New Year’s Eve was attributed to grease backing up in the system, he said.

Plans are to decrease the number of “turns” in the exhaust system by installing seven individual exhaust fans, Hambrecht said. Few turns mean fewer opportunities for grease too build up, he said.

Plans also call for the installation of three, 10-ton air conditioning units on the roof, he said. The units would be screened from public view by a white fence that will be installed, he said.

Hambrecht also said a large sign reminding drivers to park only in the parking lot will be moved to the rear of the property.

Nicholas Stewart of Planet Fitness on Easton Avenue told the commission that they need to replace the existing built-up asphalt roof on the building.

The shingles will be replaced with white thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) single-ply roofing, he said.

William Street resident Ray Jagiello received approval to replace his home’s porch, which, he said, had sustained water damage from Superstorm Sandy.

Decking needs to be replaced, he said, as well as the porch’s roof.

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