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Home My WebLink About2023-05-17-HC-min-rev Lexington Historical Commission Meeting Minutes May 17, 2023 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg, Chair, Susan Bennett, Diane Pursley, Marilyn Fenollosa. Commissioner Absent: Wendall Kalsow. Associate Commissioners Present: Associate Commissioner Absent: David Kelland. Staff Present: Mina S. Makarious & Matthew Bowser, Town Counsel, James Kelly, Building Commissioner, Siqing Pan, Department Assistant th Chair Robert Rotberg called the May 17 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:01 pm. AGENDA ITEM #1: PUBLIC HEARING – Amendments to Definition of “Substantial Demolition” The Commissioners and Town Counsel reviewed the proposed revised definition of “Substantial Demolition”. Todd Cataldo, asked how to apply the definition of “Substantial Demolition” to his renovation work in Lexington. Ms. Fenollosa responded that the definition of demolition was unworkable because it encompassed everything. Mr. Cataldo suggested that the proposed revision for the definition of “Substantial Demolition” should be reviewed and discussed in Town Meeting. Mr. Rotberg stated this hearing would be held and open for public comment for a month and then made decision. Mr. Cataldo also inquired that if Historical Commission mandates the windows repairment and replacement, will the installation of classic historic wood storm window meet current building code. Mr. Kelly stated that Mr. Cataldo’s question should be considered. Ms. Bennett asked if the homeowner decided to retain the old storm window, would it meet the new building code requirements. Mr. Kelly stated it would not even need a building permit to do that. All public comments were taken under advisement. MOTION: Ms. Bennett made a motion to discuss and review the definition of “Substantial Demolition” in one month’s time. This hearing will continue to June. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Bennett – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Motion carried 4 to 0. 1 / 5 AGENDA ITEM #2: Hosmer House Update Mr. Makarious updated the enforcement process of Hosmer House. He stated that it was a matter of Zoning enforcement, and there was not a separate jurisdiction for the Historical Commission. Ms. Bennett inquired that given the preservation restriction approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, was it a condition of a special permit? And what is the legal posturing if the restriction cannot be gained. Mr. Makarious stated that there would be two options: they would either not get Certificate of Occupancy until they can meet the preservation restriction, or they could seek a modification of the special permit which would be up to the ZBA. Ms. Bennett stated that she would say there will be a serious possibility that they will not get that preservation restriction from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, as long as they were aware of that risk. Mr. Rotberg reiterated that any reconstruction of the Hosmer House should be done under supervision of the Historical Commission. Mr. Kelly confirmed that no further work was taken place. AGENDA ITEM #3: Approval of meeting minutes th Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 15, 2023 as written. Ms. Pursley seconded. Motion carried. All in favor. th Ms. Bennett made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 30, 2023 as written. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Motion carried with Ms. Pursley abstention. All in favor. th Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on April 19, 2023 as written. Ms. Pursley seconded. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #4: Public hearing regarding the full building demolition at 71 Woburn Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Atul Jain, Owner Matthew Piekarski, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): Historical Information: dated April 3, 2023 Photos of existing structure: dated March 28, 2023 Photos of original structure: dated March 28, 2023 SUMMARY: Atul Jain and Matthew Piekarski, homeowner and architect, explained the proposed full demolition plans to build a new single-family house at 71 Woburn Street. The Commission reviewed the proposed plans and agreed to impose a one-year demolition delay to the demolition of this property. No Public Comments. 2 / 5 HC COMMENTS: The Commission agreed that this property is historically significant and the proposed full demolition plans were inappropriate. MOTION: Ms. Pursley made a motion to find that the house at 71 Woburn Street is preferably preserved and to impose a 12-month demolition delay. Ms. Bennett seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Motion carried 4 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #5: Public hearing regarding the full building demolition at 56 Harding Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: James Barr, Owner and Builder ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): None SUMMARY: James Barr, homeowner and builder, explained the proposed full demolition plans to build a new single- family house at 56 Harding Road. The Commission reviewed the proposed plans and agreed to impose a one-year demolition delay to the demolition of this property. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: The Commission agreed that this property is historically significant and the proposed full demolition plans were inappropriate. MOTION: Ms. Bennett made a motion to find that the house at 56 Harding Road is preferably preserved and to impose a 12-month demolition delay. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Pursley – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes, 3 / 5 Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Motion carried 4 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #6: Public hearing regarding the full building demolition at 32 Downing Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Ben Finnegan, Owner and Builder ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): Historical Information: dated April 19, 2023 Photos of existing structure: dated April 19, 2023 Photos of original structure: dated April 19, 2023 SUMMARY: Ben Finnegan, homeowner and builder, explained the proposed full demolition plans to build a new single- family house at 32 Downing Road. The Commission reviewed the request and agreed to remove the house at 32 Downing Road from HC Inventory. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: The Commission agreed that this property has lost its architectural integrity and therefore may be removed from HC Inventory. MOTION: Ms. Pursley made a motion that the Commission find that the structure at 32 Downing Road has lost its architectural and cultural integrity, and therefore it be removed from the HC Inventory. Ms. Bennett seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Pursley – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Abstain, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Motion carried 3 to 0 with 1 abstention. AGENDA ITEM #7: Continued public hearing regarding the full building demolition at 9 Utica Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Jeannie Redmond, Owner 4 / 5 ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): None SUMMARY: Jeannie Redmond homeowner, explained the proposed full demolition plans to build a new single-family house at 9 Utica Street. The Commission agreed to impose a one-year demolition delay to the demolition of this property. HC COMMENTS: The Commission agreed that this property is historically significant and the proposed full demolition plans were inappropriate. MOTION: Ms. Bennett made a motion to find that the house at 9 Utica Street was preferably preserved and to impose a 12-month demolition delay. Ms. Pursley seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Pursley – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Motion carried 4 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #8: Adjourn Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn at 8:56pm. Ms. Pursley seconded. Motion carried with Mr. Rotberg Abstention. All in favor. 5 / 5