Sudbury Historic Districts Commission rejects installed steel front door at 230 Old Sudbury Road

SUDBURY -- January 8, 2026, Sudbury Historic Districts Commission orders redesign of a steel front door installed without approval in Town Center. The commission voted unanimously Jan. 8 to continue case 25-35 at 230 Old Sudbury Road to Feb. 5, after telling owners Jim and Javon Francis that the five-panel horizontal steel door installed by their contractor in November conflicts with the contemporary colonial home's architectural references. Chair Anuraj Shah said the design "pulls reference from a period that's very different than the other references on your house" and warned other applicants are already citing the door as precedent. Member Christopher Hagger recused as an immediate abutter. The commission agreed to compromise on the secondary side door if painted to match but rejected the front door's steel material outright, with Shah pointing to Simpson as a manufacturer of acceptable wood and wood-composite alternatives. The commission separately approved Renewal by Andersen Fibrex window replacements at the 1993-built 135 Peakham Road home, conditioned on language noting the home's age, 500-foot setback and minimal visibility.