Owners of Stonington’s ‘Black House’ planning renovations
Stonington — The owners of the so-called “Black House” in the Borough plan to discuss their idea for renovating their garage and adding on a porch with the borough Planning and Zoning Commission on Dec. 13.
Thomas McGarry, the attorney for George and Lyn Kimmerle, is scheduled to present their preliminary plans during a workshop at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall.
On Wednesday, McGarry said the Kimmerles would like to discuss three different plans they have for renovating the garage, which he said dates back to the 1950s. He said they are seeking comments and suggestions from the commission before proceeding with a formal application. He added they are seeking to make the garage more aesthetically pleasing.
The Kimmerles painted their 1,400-square-foot house black in 2000 to protest what they said at the time was unfair treatment by the commission and the Stonington Historical Society, which opposed their renovation and expansion plan along with a group of residents. The paint job attracted widespread media attention.
The commission ended up approving a revised version of the plan that called for a 45-square-foot addition and widow’s walk, raising the roof by three feet, extending existing dormers, removing a garage bay and relocating a deck. The number, size and location of windows also were changed.