HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-01-09•
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MINUTES OF MEETING
of the
Lexington Historic District Commission
Wednesday 9 January 1991
A meeting of the Lexington Historic Districts Commission was held on
Wednesday, January 9, 1991 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Office
Building, Lexington, Massachusetts.
Present at the meeting were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman;
Linda J. McAulay, Secretary; Richard S. Morehouse; Stephen M. Politi; and
Associate Commissioners Mary Harding Nye; and Walter S. Pierce; and Charles
D. Grant, Clerk.
At 8:00 PM the Chairman called the meeting to order and announced that
Charles Grant, Clerk of the Commission since last January, is leaving as soon
as a replacement can be found. He then added that the departure of Mr Grant
coincides with his resignation as Chairman, and therefore the meeting should
now consider his successor. On a motion by Commissioner Morehouse nominating
Commissioner Politi, and seconded by Commissioner McAuley, the meeting VOTED
unanimously to elect Stephen M. Politi as the new Chairman of the Lexington
Historic Districts Commission. After the vote, Associate Commissioner Nye
left the meeting.
At 8:10 PM Chairman Politi read the notice on the application of Jacob
and Amelia Bergmann concerning the installation of skylights in the house at
9 Tavern Lane, which is within the Munroe Tavern District. The Bergmanns
were accompanied by their architect, Paul Maggi. A neighbor, Marilyn Carlow,
was also present at the hearing. The applicants presented a plan,
photographs of the house, and a sketch of the house showing its setting on
Tavern Lane. The architect explained that, to solve the problem of letting
more light in the house, he proposed to install three skylights in the
north - facing roof. Commissioner Morehouse acknowledged that skylights are an
intrusion on a house like this and noted that the builder had already changed
the interior well to scoop the most light for the smallest opening. It was
VOTED unanimously to approve the installation of three Roto Sunrise Vented
roof windows #36, each 2' -6" X 4'- 9 -3/4" with Historic Bronze color
moulding.
At 8:30 PM the Chairman read the notice on the application of Patricia
Reichheld concerning exterior architectural changes to the building at 14
Muzzey Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Mrs Reichheld was
accompanied by her partner, Ron Calini, and co -owner Patricia Polley, who
presented drawings of three elevations of the building with overlays of the
proposed changes, a sketch of a proposed sign, photographs of the building,
and a sample of awning material. It was VOTED unanimously to approve the
following changes:
facing Muzzey Street: two awnings with no lettering;
facing the Mews: a sign reading "Tootsie's Shoetique ",
measuring 3' X 3', made of wood, painted
- 2 -
• black, with a carved design painted with
gold leaf;
•
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facing the parking lot: an awning reading "Tootsie's ";
a sign reading "Tootsie's Shoetique
Discount Designer Shoes" each on separate
lines, measuring 18" wide X 24" high, made
of wood, painted black, with a carved
design painted with gold leaf.
At 9:05 PM the meeting took up the application of Doug Hampson,
contractor, on behalf of Keith and Marilyn Harrison of Rochester, New York,
owners of the building at 72 Waltham Street, which is with the Battle Green
District, concerning a color change from green to black on the roof. Hampson
presented a sample of fiberglas asphalt shingle made by Owens Corning and
explained that the owners plan to reshingle only one side of the roof this
year and complete the other side next year. It was VOTED unanimously to
approve the color change and that the certificate should be valid for two
years.
The meeting then took up the issue of sodium vapor street lighting
within the Historic District. Several Commissioners said they felt it looked
terrible. Commissioner Davies pointed out that, having spent so much time
dealing with colors by day, the Commission should not neglect the appearance
of the place at night and suggested that the Town postpone a proposed
agreement with Edison until the Town has a plan to buy the lighting system
and make its own changes. It was VOTED unanimously that the Commission
advise the Selectmen that any change to sodium vapor street lighting would be
inappropriate in the Historic District because of the color distortion, and
furthermore, the Commission believes that any increase in lumen level and
glare would be equally inappropriate in the Historic District. The meeting
directed the Clerk to write a letter to the Selectmen advising them of the
Commission's position before the Selectmen's meeting on Monday, January 14,
1991.
There was a brief discussion on the proliferation of newspaper vending
boxes. Commissioner Davies recalled that other towns have sued USA Today and
lost on the basis of the First Amendment. Commissioner Pierce reflected
that, with respect to the First Amendment, there surely is a distinction
between the newspapers and their containers. The matter was left at that
point to be taken up at another time.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Giiadcs C+raa
Linda J. McAulay Charles D. Grant
Secretary Clerk