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HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 21, 2014 Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in Cary Hall at the Ellen Stone May 21, 2014 Room, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA on . 7:30PM The meeting convened at . Historical Commission Members in Attendance: Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, Ms. Sally Zimmerman, Mr. Wendall Kalsow and Mr. David Kelland, Chair. AGENDA ITEM #1 (Time: 7:31pm) Informal discussion on proposed roof line change at 59 Gleason Road SUMMARY: Mr. Chris Barry, CJB Architects, and Mrs. Teresa Gavin, homeowner, discussed the proposed renovation and addition on the existing house at 59 Gleason Road. Mr. Barry explained the proposed renovation would require the removal of the roof of the existing house. Ms. Gavin stated the premise of the project is to save the first floor. She continued in order to meet financial constraints, the entire kitchen must remain as existing. Mr. Barry explained the existing steep stair to both the basement and second floor will be replaced with a new code complying stair. Mr. Barry continued that this work is necessitated by the client’s desire to have a safer connection between the different floor levels for their children. He added that from a design perspective, this also creates a plan more similar to a center entry colonial. The finishes of the existing first floor are to remain except for the hardwood floors in the living room. Mr. Barry explained that the siding will be replaced with a wood clapboard as existing. A colonial theme of similar scale to the existing is carried around the addition, unifying the home. Mr. Kelland noted the proposed plan clearly falls under the definition of substantial demo and will require a public hearing. Mr.Kalsow added that for the formal hearing the Commission would require existing elevations next to proposed and existing floor plans next to proposed floor plans. Ms. Zimmerman suggested to Mr. Barry that he review the book “Sears Small Houses of the 1930s” by Dover Publications. Ms. Fenollosa asked Mr. Barry if he were replacing all the windows and adding an entry porch. Mr. Kalsow asked if Mr. Barry were planning on raising the house. Mr. Barry explained that his plan included keeping the entire existing first floor and must maintain existing finishes on the first floor to meet the budget. Mr. Barry added that the ceilings are six feet eight inches and the homeowner is six feet three inches. He continued that the existing second floor is not meeting the long term needs of the family. Mr. Kelland suggested Mr. Barry and Mrs. Gavin return for a formal hearing in June. Mr. Kalsow added that a letter from a structural engineer should also be included in the applicant’s application. AGENDA ITEM # 2 (7:51PM) Informal discussion on proposed renovations of 34 Moon Hill SUMMARY: Ms. Margaux Fischer of Charles Rose Architects explained to the Commission that the proposed renovations at 34 Moon Hill would adapt to the spirit of the house. Ms. Fischer continued that the idea was to rehabilitate the house to comfortable standards which would include some formal stairs that meet current code. She added that the plan would also not preserve the spiral stair. Ms. Fischer stated that she has met with the Moon Hill Planning Committee. Ms. Fischer explained the plan would include fitting a staircase and butterfly roof and would also address the six foot eight inch ceilings. She told the Historical Commission that the current heat is radiant and pipes have rusted and leaked. She stated she would expect to need to remove walls and floors due to the water damage. Ms. Fischer continued that the plan was not proposing to expand the scale of the building and that all windows would be replaced. She stressed that the 1