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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-02-12 HISTORIC DISTRICTS CONIh1ISSION February 12, 1986 A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday, February 12, 1986, in Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Building, Lexington. Present and voting were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman; Linda J. N1cAulay, Secretary; Stephen M. Politi; John E. Ryan; and Associate Commis- sioner Mary Harding Nye. Also present and participating in the discussion were Associate Commissioners Walter S. Pierce and Albert T. Pitt. At 8:00 P.M. hlr. Irving Smith of Madeville Signs appeared on behalf of Consumer Value Stores to request approval of a change in the sign on the front of the building at 1735 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green District. He proposed that the existing sign, 24" high and 27'-3" long, be removed and the letters cleaned, painted white, and replaced. hlr. Davies pointed out that the letters are very bold and, being white, they would present a sharp contrast with the brick and would dominate the other white letters on the building, which are much lighter and/or smaller. There was also discussion about finishing the existing letters in gold leaf. It was VOTED that the existing letters may be re-finished in 23 kt. gold leaf. If the CVS management rejects this proposal, they were requested to ask for another hearing to present a new design which could include smaller white letters. At 8:20 P.N1. Nirs. Amalia G. Samoylenko appeared to request approval for architectural changes to the building at 10 Muzzey Street, which is within the Battle Green District. The changes would include the addition of a second floor over the northeasterly portion of the building, a projecting gable on the easterly elevation, and a new recessed entrance doorway. New doors and windows would match existing doors and windows, except that a Palladian window would be located at the second floor of the new gable. There would be new decorative paving and granite edged planting beds adja- cent to both the new and old entrances on the easterly elevation. Three new trees in tree wells will be planted near the existing curb line facing the Town parking lot. The new signs are designed in the form of canvas panels projecting approximately 6" from the building facade over both the new and old entrances. They would read "THE N1EW5" in 10" "Chancery Demi" style letters. There will also be a recessed sign panel over the first floor window of the new gable to identify the business at that location, and there will be two new directory signs adjacent to the two entrances. All of the work, details, materials, and colors would be as described and speci- fied on the drawings dated February 7, 1985 which were presented at the hearing. After discussion, the proposal was VOTED. At 8:45 P.h1. hlr. Michael J. Shields appeared to request approval for architectural changes to the building at 905C Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the East Village District. He proposed to remove the existing roof fascia board, cut back the roof overhang to eliminate some rotted areas, and install a new fascia board. He explained that paint continually peels from the deteriorated wood shingle siding and he proposed to install white vinyl siding. The idea of white vinyl or aluminum siding was unfavorably received by the Commission, with hlr. Davies, hlrs. hlcAulay, and hlrs. Nye speaking against it to the effect that they believed it is inappropriate in a Historic s ~ February 12, 1956 - page 2 District. hir. Shields agreed that he would use cedar shingles instead, with a white stain. It was VOTED that the roof may be modified as proposed and that the siding may be replaced with either cedar shingles or cedar clap- boards, stained white_ At 9:00 P.NI. hir. Mark Moore and architect Stephen Yuen appeared to re- quest approval of proposed architectural changes to the building at 1303 hassachusetts Avenue, which isknown as the "Mason House" and is within the Munroe Tavern District, and for another building to be erected just east of the Mason House, known as "House 5". Both buildings are part of a larger projected condominium development which extends beyond the boundaries of the Historic District and includes seven units in all. Mr. Davies suggested that the discussion be focused on three aspects of the design: (1} the changes to the Mason House itself, (2) the location, width, and character of the driveway leading to the rear of the development, and (3) the new "House 5". Mr. Moore then showed drawings and described the project, explaining that the oldest portion of the Mason House would not be changed, but the wing to the east would have its roof raised and three dormers added, and that a garage would be added to the west. "House 5" would he smaller than previously suggested, set. back further from the street, and would be designed as a "center entrance colonial". Following the presentation, h1r. Davies reported that letters in opposi - tion to the project had been received from the Lexington Historical Society, the Lexington Historical Commission, hlr, & Mrs. Joseph Stavenhagen of 1377 Massachusetts Avenue, Robert L. Blanchard of 1308 Massachusetts Avnue, Jean A. Fowler, and S. Lawrence Whipple, a former Commissioner. There was also a letter from Commissioner Roland B. Greeley to the effect that recent modifi- cations to the design had answered his earlier concerns. During the course of the discussion bliss Marjorie Blanchard presented a petition against the project, bearing 154 signatures, for the Commission's consideration. Questions and comments from the audience were received next, including the following: Mrs. Ruth Morey asked if the Board of Appeals was involved in the subdivision process and was told that their permission was not re- quired. Mr, Moore said that he had not yet appeared before the Planning Board. At this point hlr. Davies pointed out that the issues of zoning or conservation are not the concern of the Historic Districts Commission. h1r. David G. Williams pointed out that under certain circumstances the Planning Board does request a report from the Historic Districts Commission. hlrs. Margaret Rawls said that the added height of the east wing would overwhelm the Mason House_ She also suggested that an 18' driveway would be far better than the 24' drive proposed. Mr. Moore said that he would request Planning Board approval for a narrower drive_ Mr. Thomas Zarle raised the issue of added traffic on an already dangerous curve of hIassachu- setts Avenue. Mrs, Anne Grady pointed out that the Mason House "has a good chance of being" the oldest house in town and should not be altered in appearance and should not be intruded upon by House 5. She expressed appro- val, however, for the general policy of dividing large houses into separate units in order to provide for their better maintenance. I i February 12, 1986 - page 3 Mr. bavid G. Williams said that he thought the Planning Board should review the plans prior to the Historic Distrcts Commissian hearing. He also expressed the importance of preserving the uniqueness of the Mason House property. Mr. Davies said that he was aware of no fixed priority, and Mr. Dioore said that it was a matter of the availability of the Boards and the timing of advertisements. Mrs. Sussman, Nlr. Harry Petchek, hlrs. Carole Stavenhagen, and Mr_ Robert Blanchard all spoke of the importance of preserving the historic character of the immediate neighborhood area around the Mason House, which includes a cluster of other historic houses. Mr. btari.o Pfaff described that part of Massachusetts Avenue as a "glorious stretch" of road which should not be changed. Susan Manzi spoke of the Mason House as a "treasure" that should not be altered. Commissioner John E_ Ryan said that he agreed with most of the comments from the audience. Mrs. Nye said that she did not want to see the front of the Mason House changed and sais that she would like to see the questions of population density and conservation at the rear of the property addressed. Mr. Davies expressed his belief that the wording of the Historic Districts Act gives the Commission the power to disapprove changes to the Mason House and to deny permission for the construction of House 5, since the Commission is charged with the preservation of historic buildings and the provision of appropriate settings for them. blrs.McAulay expressed agreement with hlr. Pfaff and said that she opposes changes to the Mason House or the erection of House 5. Mr. Politi said that he would not vote for the Mason House changes but was not opposed to House 5. Mr. Pierce said that he had no objection to dividing the Mason House into two units, but he objected to the design of the easterly garage door. He would not, however, object in general to minor changes to the Mason House. He is opposed to House 5 and would favor a narrower driveway. hir. Davies said that he objected to the proposed changes to the Mason House because the higher roof on the easterly wing and the added garage to the west diminished the dominance of the old part of the house. Mr. Moore then suggested that the hearing be continued until after he had met with the Planning Board. Mr. Petchek asked why the Historic Districts Commission could not take action immediately. h1r. Davies responded that, if Mr. Moore was willing to come back to the Commission after the Planning Board hearing, he saw no reason not to agree with that procedure. The consensus of the Commissioners was in favor of continuing the hearing until after the Planning Board hearing on the matter. Mr. Arthur S. Ryan then appeared for an informal discussion of his addi- i tion and alterations to the building at 531 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the East Village District, which had been the subject of an earlier Certificate of Appropriateness. He explained that the existing roof heights in relation to floor elevations had not been as represented on his earlier drawings, and he was faced with an impractically low headroom situation in his proposed second floor bedrooms. It was agreed by consensus that h1r. Ryan could introduce an area of flat roof, invisible from the street, as long as the side slopes of his new roof were the same as the existing roof. February 12, 1986 - page 4 Mr. Davies then reported on a letter from Mr. James F. Hayes of 1960 Massachusetts Avenue and requested a vote of determination that a proposed new window on the rear elevation of that dwelling was not visible from a public way. blr. Davies had inspected the property and was himself con- vinced that that was indeed the case. This Determination was VOTED. Bills in the amount of $45.00 from Beacon Communications and $62.47 from Barbara Gilson were then VOTED. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 P.M. Linda J. McAulay Secretary I it