2013-09-19-HC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 19, 2013 Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in Cary Hall at the Ellen Stone Room, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA on September 19, 2013. The meeting convened at 7:30 PM. Historical Commission Members in Attendance: Mr. David Kelland, Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, Mr. Frank Kern, Ms. Sally Zimmerman, Mr. Wendall Kalsow AGENDA ITEM #1 (Time: 7:30 PM) Public Hearing on Demolition Application for 61 Woburn Street APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Mr. & Mrs. Mark Barons, General Contractor/Future Homeowner, 4 Bowser Road, Lexington, MA 02420 Janet & Kim Loder, Homeowners, 38 Bolton Road, Billerica, MA 01821 Mr. John Farrington, Attorney, 5 Militia Drive, Lexington, MA 02421 ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Photos (15), Exterior views of 61 Woburn Street Structure Inspection letter dated September 4, 2013 from Sami E Kassis, P.E., and Design by Sami, 28 Old Town Road, Walpole, MA 02081 SUMMARY: Attorney, Mr. John Farrington, speaking on behalf of would be Homeowner, Mr. Mark Barons, stated that the structure at 61 Woburn Street has serious structural issue. Mr. Farrington explained that the house had been modified over a long period of time. Mr. Barons expresses that he wanted to replace it with a 3,000 sf house that meets current building and zoning regulations. He said his intent is to build his own personal residence. An independent report by project engineer, Sami E Kassis concluded in his report that the structural components of the house are compromised and substandard. HC COMMENTS: The Commission discussed the loss of the structure and the impact on the town. The house probably started Italianette style with two rooms on the first floor. The significance to the neighborhood is that it is a small house that represented the working class. The condition of the building mitigates against it. The house has no structural, stylistic, and architectural integrity. Considering the structural engineering report, size and setting, the Commission concluded that they couldn't support delaying demolition. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Ms. Fenollosa, and seconded, stated that the house located at 61 Woburn Street be not preferably preserved and recommend allowing demolition. VOTE: 5 -0 in favor.