A river neighborhood with a local district
The Quinnipiac River Historic District was established as a local district in 1977 and covers part of Fair Haven along Quinnipiac Avenue. The New Haven Preservation Trust says it correlates to the National Register’s Quinnipiac Avenue district, though the boundaries are not the same. The Historic District Commission reviews exterior changes, so a new vent, window or door on a street-facing wall inside the district is a question for the commission first.
Houses with more than one kitchen
Fair Haven’s streets include many houses divided into more than one unit. In a multi-family house the kitchen above or below yours may share a drain or a vent, so ask where the stack runs before you commit to a layout. The layout page explains why moving a sink or range is more than a cabinet decision, and the small kitchen page covers what to do when you cannot move anything.
Flood-aware planning
The regional hazard plan lists Fair Haven among the New Haven neighborhoods primarily prone to coastal flooding, and the city’s flood brochure names the Quinnipiac River among the waterways with properties at risk. The brochure asks builders to check with the City Plan Department before building. Three questions are worth settling early:
- Is my address in a mapped flood zone on the FEMA map or the city’s flood layer?
- How would the plan treat the lowest cabinets, flooring and appliances if water entered the kitchen?
- Does the permit office need any flood information with the application?
Questions from Fair Haven homeowners
Is my house inside the local historic district?
Only part of the neighborhood is. The local and National Register boundaries differ, so look up your address on the city’s interactive map and ask the City Plan Department.
Does the commission review a new kitchen window?
Windows are part of the exterior, which is what the commission reviews in a local district. If your house is inside the district, ask before you order one.
Is it worth rebuilding a small kitchen in a multi-family house?
Often the gain comes from layout and storage, not square footage. Test the plan against the clearance guidelines on the layouts page before you spend on finishes.