1957-03-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 22, 1957 An informal meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held Friday evening at S:00 P.M. March 22nd at Mr. Taylor' s House. Present were Messrs. Davis , Kettell, Smith, Parsons and Taylor and Mrs. Robert Merriam. Also present were Mr. & Mrs. Abram Chayes and krOichard Morehouse. This meeting was held to look at some preliminary sketches to see if Mr- & Mrs. Chayes should then apply for another hearing. Mr. Morehouse stated that they felt that the overhang was part of the trouble and he had changed this considerably. He felt they still needed same overhang as protection from rain over the entrances , etc. and from the sun on the south. He also had recessed the entrance about W . put in some posts. Also he had cut down amount of glass and size of panes. He had cut down sWIe of individual pieees so that they are now less than 31 . He also had changed the pitch of the roof a bit and had changed the chimney so that it is new inside the house . It will be left either natural or painted white. The house is now 116'' wider, the same in length. The dormer at the back is 41 narrower, No definite sketch a, the back was shown but the windows will be changed and the overhang as well. Mr. Chayes spoke of having a retaining wall on the terrace and a hedge of shrubs, or individual trees, etc. This was discussed at quite some length and Mr. Chayes said he had had an opinion of a lawyer at Harvard hat it could be written in the deed that this hedge must be maintained. Mr. Davis will check this with the Town Counsel. There was a very lengthy discussion regarding the front of the house and the amount of ::lass. Mr- & Mrs.Chayes definitely do not like the idea of small panes. Mr. Morehouse stated that the divisions between the panes would be wood or metal, etc. and would be either white or gray. Mr. Kettell said the one vital question was that should the Commission approve this house then what would happen it some one wants to build 5 or 6 more of tbia same type in a different location in one of the Districts,--would we then be establishing a precedent nad have tO approve more of the same kind? this is the feeling of the entire Commission. hr. Davis said the glass on the and bothers him. The Co mission feels that the vast expanse of glass does not go with I Colonial atmosphere. hr. Chayes then said he had two questions: 1) Is this new house closer to what would be approved and 2f would it be impossible to G.K. the house with all the glass at the end? Mr. ho:�ehouse was then asked if there is any house of this ' kind that could be seen. There is one on the North Shore and a magallne was shown to the Commission with several pictures of this house*