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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-09 • HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday, February 9, 1977, in the Directors' Room, Cary Memorial Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Georgia H. Williams, Secretary; Amelia G. Samoylenko; S. Lawrence Whipple; and Acting Commissioner John R. Packard. An informal meeting was held with representatives of the Cambridgeport Savings Bank at 8s00 P.M. Mr. Jaquith announced that, since his firm had legal dealings with the Bank, he would not serve as Chairman but would sit at this informal meeting to give the Commission a quorum. It was moved, seconded, and VOTED that Mr. Whipple serve as Chairman Pro Tem. Represent- ing the Bank were George Wilson, Vice President and Treasurer, Mr. McCarthy, and John Mitchell of John Kendall Mitchell & Associates, Architects. Scale drawings of proposed changes were submitted. Mr. Whipple asked if had con- sidered retaining material along the bottom of the building and Mr. Mitchell said that they do not feel it would help project the image they want and he said that Spaulding Brick feel they can match the existing brick very closely. Mr. Whipple asked how many panes of glass are proposed for the two windows and Mr. Mitchell said that they propose to use 12" aide x 18" high panes so would be five panes high for each window and eight aide for one window and nine wide for the other window. Mr. Whipple asked why the windows are going to the top without a capping and Mr. Mitchell said that the brick would act as fascia. Mr. Whipple asked if windows would have wooden muntins and Mr. Mitchell said they would. Mr. Whipple asked if there would be a lighting fixture on the fascia and Mr. Mitchell said fixtures would be recessed in the soffit. He said that two bays are set back and one projects out three feet. Mr. Whipple said that he feels that this is a lot of glass and that they are introducing a new element at the bottom by using wood. Mr. Mitchell said that they were proposing an 8" tongue in groove boarding with a "V" joint. Mr. Packard asked if they had found out what is behind the existing signboard and Mr. Mitchell said there was smoky glass which would be filled in with brick and that the letters of the sign would be mounted directly on the brick. Mr. Mitchell said they propose using a Morgan door which is a wood door with lights of glass and he said that all woodwork would be painted white. Mr. Whipple asked if there would be an outside light fixture and Mr. Mitchell said there would be a traditional type lantern on the brick over the door. Mr. Mitchell said that it would be a candle type light fix- ture roughly i8" wide x 2 1~2' high and probably of weathered bronze or brass. Mr. Whipple asked if knew type of design for the rear door and Mr. Mitchell said that it would be the same style as the front door. A six foot deep planter would be across the rear of the building in front of the plat- form to the door and there would be a three foot canopy with white wood brackets and wood soffits underneath but rolled copper roof top over the door. The existing loading door will be bricked up. The new door will open out three feet so rant canopy that depth. There x111 be a light fixture be- side the door and security lighting somewhere on the upper part of the build- ing. The trim in the rear will be white and the second floor blinds will be painted white. Mr. Whipple asked if the building would be air conditioned - HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - 2 - February 9, ig?7 and then asked where the units would be located. Mr. Mitchell said they would be located in the rear under the existing loading platform and extra units in the basement. All unnecessary items on the roof will be removed. Mr. Jaquith asked if the platform would be enclosed and Mr. Mitchell said that it would be open with the planter right in front. Mr. Whipple asked what condition the platform was in and Mr. Mitchell said that it was not too bad and that they would patch it up. Mr. Jaquith asked how large the outside units would be and Mr. Mitchell said three feet diameter by two feet high. Mr. Jaquith said that there has been a problem with exhaust units and asked if one or two would be sufficient. Mr. Mitchell said that one or two would be sufficient. Mr. Whipple asked who owns the concrete retaining wall and Mr. Mitchell said that he was not sure but that it did not appear on any plans he had seen of this building. Mr. Whipple said that one concern he has is the three foot canopy in the rear. Mr. Mitchell said that the door is three feet when opened so want to protect people going out. Mr. Whipple asked if they contemplate a walk-up window and Mr. Mitchell said not nox. He said that, if there was one in the future, it would be in the vestibule. Mr. Whipple asked if had proposed dimensions on the sign and Mr. Mitchell said that they did not yet. They nox plan to use 12" white metal letters but want to discuss with the signmaker. Mr. Jaquith commented that three feet high letters is maximum allowed. Mr. Whipple asked if there would be a sign at the front door and Mr, Mitchell said that there would be nothing outside. Mrs. Williams asked if planning any awning and Mr. Mitchell said they were not. Mr. Mitchell said the pedestrian walkway would be scored colored concrete. Mrs. Samoylenko said that she feels colored concrete creates problems and asked if could install brick walkway rather than con- crete. Mr. Mitchell said that they x111 consider this. Mr. Whipple asked if they could remove transom glass over the door and replace with wood and Mr. Mitchell said that they would consider this. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M. Then followed a discussion on the application of Steven Oxren d~b~a Lexington Realty with respect to the erection and display of a sign for the store at 184 Massachusetts Avenue. It was noted that he proposed. to erect a 3'2" x 4'3" sign with 6" projection from the building and 10' from ground level to the bottom of the sign. Mr. Whipple said that he thinks it is a squarish looking sign as too Wide. Mr. Jaquith said that he felt it was too aide. Mrs. Samoylenko said that she feels it is a heavy looking sign. Mrs. Williams commented that you need a fairly good sized sign if the base is to be 10' from ground level. Mr. Packard said that he thought 10' from ICI ground level is too high and Mrs. Samoylenko agreed. Mr. Jaquith said that the sign could be placed at the corner, on canopy over the door. or in two bricks from the corner. Then followed. a discussion on the application of Louis J. and Marie A. Bakanaxsky with respect to the erection of fencing on the premises at 6 Parker Street. Mr. Jaquith stated that a good part of the fence is all installed. Mrs. Samoylenko said that she thought it would be more attrac- tive if stepped down. Mr. Whipple said that he would like to see something across the top. • HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - 3 - February 9, 197? New drawings for the door on the rear elevation of the addition to the building at 55 Waltham street, owned by Robert L. and Delores A. Lyon, were submitted. Mr. Whipple said that he liked the door with muntined windows and without the transom as shown on the drawing submitted at this meeting. Mr. Jaquith suggested that the same door be installed on the side elevation. Upon motion made by Mrs. Williams and seconded by Mr. Packard, it was unanimously VOTED to approve installation of the door on the rear elevation and elevation facing Waltham Street of the building at 55 Waltham Street owned by Robert L. and Delores A. Lyon, said addition approved by Certificate No. 77 C-i dated January 5, 1977, which is xithin the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commis- sioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Georgia H. Williams, Amalia G. Samoylenko, S. Lawrence Whipple, and Acting Commissioner John R. Packard. It was moved, seconded, and VOTED to approve two bills submitted by Barbara Gilson, Clerk; one for $112.5(? for December 1976 and one for $126.37 for January 1977. The meeting was ad3ourned at 11:00 P.M. eorgL~, H. Williams Secretary