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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-01-HDC-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON Anne Eccles,Chair HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Robert Adams Edward Adelman Meeting broadcasted Robin Lovett Paul O'Shaughnessy by LexMedia Miliutes, Thursday April 1, 2021 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Approved 5.6.21 Commissioners Present: Anne Eccles, Chair, Robert Adams, Robin Lovett Commissioners Absent: Edward Adelman, Paul O'Shaughnessy Associate Commissioners Present: Mark Connor, Dan Hisel Associate Commission Absent: Lee Noel Chase Staff Present: Maureen Adema, Admin. Asst. Others: Jeff Kwass, Stretchmed, Brian Cook, Stretchmed Chair Anne Eccles called the April 1, 2021 Historic District Commission meeting to order at 5:llpm Chair Anne Eccles read for the record, Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law and remote meeting protocols. Chair Eccles,confirmed a quorum,with the presence of Mr. Lovett,Mr. Connor,Mr. Hisel and Mr. Adams attending by phone,Mr. Connor and Mr. Hisel will be voting members. FORMAL HEARING Chair Eccles opened the hearing for 1740 Massachusetts Ave and read the hearing notice. 1740 Massachusetts Ave,Jeff Kwass,View Point Sign, Stretchmed new business signs in the Battle Green District per legal notice of hearing on the 4.1.21 @ 5pm in the Lexington Minuteman newspaper 3.25.21.Notice is hereby given that the Historic Districts Commission will hold a public hearing at 5pm on Thursday,April 1, 2021, remotely, on the application of David Randa,with respect to the exterior changes at 1740 Massachusetts Ave,which is located within the Battle Green. The members received the documents and related materials for the two options for the proposed changes/work at 1740 Massachusetts Ave.prior to the meeting. Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington April 1, 2021 1 Jeff Kwass was present to answer any questions from the members for the new business signage and gooseneck lighting proposed for 1740 Massachusetts Ave. He met with the HDC last month informally and was given direction on the signage and goose neck lighting for the property. The revisions made consisted of reducing the copy size on the Waltham Street side sign. One revision has the Mass Ave and Waltham Street signs being the same size. And one revision where the Waltham Street sign is a bit larger to fill the space. The letters are about 3/4 of an inch larger. And the design also now includes gooseneck lighting, similar to what is found across the street. Mr. Kwass noted the change of the store front windows on the plans, and state Brian Cook would speak to the windows. The members confirmed reviewing the new plans and thanked Mr.Kwass for taking into consideration the discussion last month and updating the plans accordingly. Members' questions,thoughts, suggestions Chair Eccles said she liked option 1 of the proposals submitted. She asked what the diameter of the round sign is. Mr. Kwass said it was 24'. Chair Eccles stated the proposed window changes would require an application with supporting document for the Commission to review. Bob Adams option one, and okay with the placement of the blade sign. Mark Connor also prefers option one. Robin Lovett agrees with other option one,thinks the blade sign is a large,but okay. No public present to speak to the hearing Robin Lovett made a motion to approve the signage at 1740 Massachusetts Ave, Stretchmed as presented in option 1 of the plans dated 3.26.21 as presented. Mark Connor seconded. No further discussion. Roll Call Vote,Lovett—Yes,Adams—Yes, Eccles—Yes, Connor—Yes,Hisel—Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Documents used and presented Plans dated 3.26.21 (attached) Brian Cook, Stretchmed was logged into the meeting requesting to have the Commission approve the replacement of store front windows at 1740 Massachusetts Ave. Mr. Cook informed the members that he is the contractor for the build out of Stretchmed. He said the interior of the space is in bad shape, and has not had contribution or assistance from the building owner regarding the work that is required before the business can be opened. Chair Eccles, stated that the HDC is not able approve a request to replace windows or any changes or work in the Districts without the proper protocols. She told Mr. Cook an application must be submitted to the HDC with documents supporting the windows with such as cut sheets, manufacturer information for a decision to be made. Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington April 1, 2021 2 Mr. Cook asked if there was a preferred window,pre-determined or mandate store front windows he could install. He would install the same as the other businesses in the center if the Commission would tell him what to install. Chair Eccles stated there is process that is required. She said the HDC is open to changing the windows, but cannot just approve on a jpeg. Bob Adams can guide you with the window project. Dan Hisel stated the HDC does not operate by communicating to applicants pre-approved construction materials. Mr. Hisel further stated that it is the applicant's responsibility to submit to the HDC proposed changes/work with the proposed materials to be used for the HDC to deem appropriate for the district. Bob Adams stated that changing the store front windows must have the building owner involved. Mr. Adams will be willing to work with Mr. Cook and the building owner. Mark Connor said it is important to take into account for compatibility, the abutting business. He asked that the adjacent business be contacted by Mr. Cook regarding the replacement of the store front windows. Chair Eccles said windows are a big change. An application is required for a Certificate of Appropriateness is required. 8 Vine Brook Road—Hearing not required Prior to the meeting Chair Eccles communicated to the Commission that the addition proposed at 8 Vine Brook Road is not under the purview of the HDC because the building is not inside the district lines. A map was shared with members indicating where the district lines fell in regard to the 8 Vine Brook Road. The building on 8 Vine Brook Road was not with the district lines, only land. The rule is that if any part of the building is in the District,then the HDC has purview of the entire structure. The house and proposed addition fall outside the district lines. ACTION ITEMS Minutes Approval Bob Adams made a motion to approve the March 4, 2021 meeting minutes with one edit. Mark Connor seconded.Roll Call Vote,Bob Adams—Yes,—Robin Lovett-Yes, Anne Eccles-Yes, Mark Connor—Yes,Dan Hisel—Yes. Motion carried, 5 to 0. DISCUSSION ITEMS Liaisons Bob Adams and Dan Hisel have been working with the Masonic Lodge at 3 Bedford Street regarding 67 windows. Mr. Adams said that the work has developed into a significant research project that has evolved into a list of New England contractors who restore historic windows in one way or another. Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington April 1, 2021 3 Mr. Adams will be writing up an analysis of his research, that will guide applicants on recommendations on options/approached for window work. He said there are many variables and decisions that factor into window work on historic properties. Mr. Connor asked Mr. Adams if the research work done was done at the request of the applicant or done for the Commission. Mr. Adams,the document is the property of the Commission. The Masonic Lodge project is a large window project,the document will assist them in strategies in having the work done. The proposed work has a large range in pricing from different contractors,with different proposals of the work. Mr. Adams said the document will be of great use to someone new to Town, who would like to change their windows. The list will provide recommendations for who can be called for this service. Chair Eccles said this has been tried in the past. She stated the list does need to be kept up to date. The project from 3 Bedford and Bob has provided a platform to create this document/resource. Mr. Adams hopes the document will clarify the merits of different window restoring/replacing options. He noted pricing can be at the price of$1,500 per window to $4,000 per window. The range can be confusing and overwhelming. Mr. Connor asked does the list include major window manufacturers. Mr. Adams said,right now list is for restoration of window contractors. There should be a study on what new windows can be approved for historic replacement. Mr. Lovett asked how many contractors are there to do restoration. Mr. Adams said 4 to 5 that would work in the Boston area. Several of them are up in New Hampshire. This work is a real specialty. Mr. Lovett stated the industry has been advancing. Chair Eccles stated this is wonderful work,window projects are before the Commission often, and so having this guidance is wonderful. Mr. Adams said that the work regarding windows is critical,historic windows has become a craft. Public Comments No public comment. Chair Eccles informed the members that May meeting has five hearing scheduled. Adiournment Mark Connor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:40pm. Robin Lovett seconded. Roll Call Vote,Bob Adams—Yes,Robin Lovett—Yes,Anne Eccles—Yes,Mark Connor—Yes,Dan Hisel— Yes.Motion carried,5 to 0. Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington April 1, 2021 4