Portland Historic Preservation Board approves North Street addition

The Portland Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously on September 16, 2026 to approve an application for a new addition at 100 North Street, including a garage with an in-law suite and an apartment above. Board members found the project met the city's standards for alterations to contributing properties and for new construction, and elected Hillary Bassett as vice chair for the meeting in the absence of Vice Chair Paquin Gould.

Key points

• The board voted unanimously to approve application HP-00116-2026 for a new addition at 100 North Street, finding it met review standards 16.6.3 and 16.6.4.
• Homeowners Tom and Kate Connell described restoring the house since 1997 and said the addition would create an in-law suite and rental apartment for retirement income.
• The architect said the addition matches the existing building's height, with a slightly wider and deeper footprint, and is set back from the street.
• Neighbor Eric Richardson of 96 North Street said he attended to learn how historic preservation works and raised concerns about size, setbacks, and blocked views.
• Neighbor Deborah Shannon of 96 North Street asked for clarification on whether the new construction is smaller or larger than the existing building.
• Board members praised the proposal's design, with one noting the addition's windows are larger than the existing building's, though the board did not treat that as a violation.
• Board member Bassett announced he will not stand for another term, and colleagues thanked him for his service.

Next steps

• The board will hold its final meetings of Bassett's term later in the year, with a recognition planned for November.

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