HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-07-27 •
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HISTORIC DI5TRICTS COMMISSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held at 8:00 P.P,.
on 'Wednesday, July 27, 1983, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman;
S. Lawrence Whipple, Secretary; John E. Ryan; and Associate Commissioners
Stephen B. Cripps, Linda J. McAulay, and Molly Nye.
At 8:05 P.M. The Reverend Brian Dixon, Donald Jenkins, Harold P!illican,
and architect Ben Nickerson appeared on behalf of The First Baptist Church
to request approval for the construction of a driveway and parking area at
the easterly side of the church building at 1580 Massachusetts Avenue. Mr.
Dixon explained the church`s need for access by the elderly and handicapped,
which would be achieved by a driveway up the slope on the easterly side of
the building, terminating with a "Y" turnaround and eight parking spaces on
grade with a new entrance into the second floor of the education wing. A
preliminary plan of the proposal was presented and discussed.
Mrs. Margaret Rawls of 9 Winthrop Road, Dr. Jerry blacks of 1 Winthrop
Road, and Dr. John F'. Morrall of 1556 Massachusetts Avenue spoke against the
proposal. It was noted that the proposed new entrance door to be added to
the Church building had been inadvertently omitted from the notice.
In view of the depth of the opposition, the incompleteness of the
notice, and the Commissioners' desire to study the matter further, it was
agreed to adjourn the hearing until August 31, 1983, and that the Commis-
sioners would meet informally on the site on the evening of July 28th to
examine the proposal further.
At 9:10 P.M. Walter H. and Carol G. Bergler appeared to request appro-
val to pane the existing driveway and to extend it around the side of the
existing carriage house and to pave a turnaround at the lower level rear
entrance to the carriage house at 22 Hancock ~~treet. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
Rooney of 20 Hancock Street and Mrs. Jean Baxter of 18 Hancock Street spoke
against the proposal, citing problems of drainage and accelerated runoff.
F.r. 'William Spencer of 32 Hancock Street expressed his desire to maintain
the existing gravel driveways which predominate on Hancock Street. There
was further discussion of an alleged business use of the property generat-
ing heavy traffic. The Chairman ruled that the Commissioners should co~st-
der only the aesthetic appropriateness of the driveway proposal and not be
influenced by any passible violation of zoning use. It was unanimously
VOTED to disapprove the proposal.
At 9:45 P.M. Ms. Virginia Orcutt of 531 Massachusetts Avenue appeared
to request permission for architectural and color changes to her house at
that address. One of these changes would be the reconstruction of the roof
line at the rear of the building. It was agreed that the drawings as pre-
sented did not give adequate information from which to make a judgment, and
the Commissioners would meet at the side on the evening of Jtiz13r28th to con-
sider the proposal further. Decision on the matter will be continued until
August 31st.
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Historic Districts Commission - 2 - July 27, 1983
Other proposed changes were to remove the front porch from the house,
to install a panelled lintel over the existing doors and sidelight, to
paint the body of the house Benjamin Moore "Stonegate Gray", the trim
white, and to paint the blinds and door Benjamin Moore "Platimum Gray".
It was VOTED to approve this group of changes.
At 10:00 P.M. Mr. 'alalter Hatfield appeared on behalf of the Dana Home
of Lexington for permission to change the paint colors on its building at
2017 Massachusetts Avenue. The body and trim of the building will be
Olympic "Beechxood Gray", and the front door and the porch xailing and
balusters will be California "Nicholson Shop reed". It was VOTc:D to
approve these colors.
At 10:15 P,rl, Mr. Kirk Iv'oyes and architects Tony Platt and I~Tancy
Goodwin appeared on behalf of uydney Ivayes Anderson, Inc. to cantinas dis-
cussion of the renovations to the former Muzzey Junior High School at 1475
Massachusetts Avenue. A number of drawings were presented, principally
concerning the development at the rear of the building. Continuing the
procedure established at the earlier hearing, it was agreed to vote appro-
val of certain features of the building, as a package, as described on each
of the drawings. In this way it was hoped to avoid premature approval of
items that were still under study, while at the same time enabling the
architects to proceed. It was VOTED, consequently, to approve those fea-
tures of the project that are set forth in the Certificate. The applicants
will return for further hearing on open-ended items and items for which
samples and~or additional detail were requested.
It was VOTED to approve payment to Beacon Minute-Man Publications of
$22.~ and payment to Barbara Gilson of $78,b2.
The meeting was adjourned at 11;45 P.N1.
S. Lawrence Whipple
Secretary