1978-08-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday, August 16, 1978, at Ss00 P.M. Commissioner John R. Packard, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8s0O P.M. in Room G-15, Town Office Build- ing, Lexington and adjourned the hearings to the Selectmen's Meeting Boom, Town Office Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners John R. Packard, Chairman; Georgia H. Williams. Secretary; John L. Davies; S. Lawrence Whipple; and Associate Commissioner Richard S. Morehouse. Mr. Morehouse was appointed to serve for Commissioner Rmland B. Greeley who was unable to be present. Also present were Louis H. Spencer of S2 Waltham Street and James Lewenson of 7 Saddle Club Road. Mr. Fackard announced that Mr. Morehouse would sit on the first hear- ing but would not vote since he is the architect for the petitioners. NIr. Spencer stated that he objected to Mr. Morehouse sitting on the hearing even though he did not vote. Mr. Packard stated that there had to be five Commissioners or Associate Commissioners sitting for a hearing but that a decision needed only three votes in order for a Certificate of Appropriate- ness to be issued. Mr. rackard stated that, since other members of the Commission were not able to be present, he would permit Mr. Morehouse to sit on the hearing but that he would not vote in the decision. Mr. Packard stated that Mr. Spencer's objection to Mr. Morehouse's sitting on the hear- ing would be noted. A hearing was held at St05 P.M. on the application of Lexington Enterprises, Inc. d~b~a Peking Gardens for a Certificate with respect to the erection and display of two Chinese soapstone lions on either side of the main entrance to the restaurant and amending of Certifi- cate of Appropriateness No. 77 C-4~0 dated June 29, 1977 with respect to the installation of three windows on the southerly elevation of the building at 27-31 Waltham Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Peter Wong, P. C. Wong, and Chester Chi represented the applicant. Peter Wong stated that they wish to display carved soapstone lion on each side of the entrance doorway and that they wish to cover these lions with redwood boxes at night to prevent vandalism. Photographs of the lions xere submitted as was a plan of the building showing location of the lions. The lions are 23" long x 39" high x 16" wide. Mr. Davies asked what would happen to the boxes during the day and Mr. Morehouse said that they would be taken inside. Discussion followed regarding the time period that the boxes could cover the lions and it was determined that the boxes could not be put over the lions prior to 9:00 P.M. and must be removed by 9s00 A.M. It was decided that the boxes should be of redwood. Mr. Packard asked about displaying the lions outside and Mr. Davies said that they would be within the entrance area of the building and are appropriate for there but would not like to have them on the sidewalk. Mrs. Williams said that she thought they were gorgeous creatures and Mr. Whipple said that he thought they were very hand- some things. Mr. Spencer said that he did not understand how the Historic Districts Commission could allow lions on front entrance of any building in any district as he thought the Commission's purpose was to maintain town's