HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-06-HDC-min
Town of Lexington
Historic Districts Commission
Joseph Welch, Chairman
Tel: (781) 862-0500 x294
Daniel Griffin Jr.
Fax: (781)
861-2780
Scott Kyle
Paul Ross
Robert Warshawer
Minutes of Thursday, September 6, 2012, in Estabrook Hall of the Cary Memorial Building at 7:00PM
Commissioners present: Acting Chairman Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross and Robert Warshawer
Associate Commissioner present: Carl Oldenburg
Department Clerk: Amy Casparius
Absent Commissioner: Chairman Joseph Welch,
Absent Associate Commissioners: Marilyn Fenollosa, Barbara Feldman and Lynn Hopkins
FORMAL HEARINGS
Trail Signage
: Richard Abrams, Greenways Corridor Committee, representing, ACROSS Lexington, presented a seven
(7) page packet explaining the project with photographs showing exactly where each sign will be placed, and an image of
Minuteman Bicycle Trail (bike
the logo. The ACROSS Lexington logo will be the only signage along this stretch of the
path)
. No arrows will be needed since there are no turns along this portion of the bike path. The Commission voted 5-0 to
issue a certificate of appropriateness for directional signage along the Minuteman Bicycle Trail Between Woburn Street
and Camellia Place. Certificate No. 2012C-52
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
1688 Massachusetts Avenue:
Bernie Osgood, representing, The Higgins Group Realtors, presented drawings of the
proposed front and rear signage and a specification sheet. The lighting above the front signage will match the rear
lighting. The Commission wanted to make sure that there will be no conduit showing on the front side of the building. Mr.
Osgood stated that he can make sure there will be no conduit showing, and he will submit a cut sheet of the lighting for
the file. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness for two signs and lighting. Certificate No.
2012C-53
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
1775 Massachusetts Avenue
: Joshua LoPresti, representing, 1775 Mass Ave Condo Trust, presented photographs
showing the existing condition of the trim and the scope of work. Mr. LoPresti wants to replace the rotten wood trim at
the rear of the Hammond Real Estate office with P.V.C boards. The P.V.C boards will have the same molding detail as the
wood and be painted white to match. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness to replace the
rotten wood base trim with P.V.C All details will match. Certificate No. 2012C-54
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
e-mail acasparius@lexingtonma.gov
MINUTES FOR THURSDAY, September 6, 2012
FORMAL HEARINGS CONT.
1776 Massachusetts Avenue:
Deirdre Niemann, Niemann Associates, representing Skorz/ Lexington LLC, presented a
color image of the proposed temporary sign, a photograph of the rear of the building, and a map of site in relation to the
rest of Massachusetts Avenue. The applicant realized that in the summer the vines will completely cover the rear of the
building and they want the sign on the front façade only. The Commission wanted to see a photograph of the front façade
showing the location of the Temporary signage. The sign will measure 34-inches by 72-inches and be up until the space
is leased. The Commission is not in favor of this temporary sign and would not approve this current proposal. The
applicant is scheduled to go before Board of Appeals later this month. The Commission continued the hearing in order to
give the applicant an opportunity to change the plan.
1723 Massachusetts Avenue:
Neil Chyton, Chyton Educational Services, Signage in the Battle Green District
This hearing has been postponed to the October 2012 meeting by Request of the Applicant
23 Bedford Street:
Steven Conners presented a five (5) page packet showing existing and proposed images of the front
and rear attic windows, cut sheets of the proposed window and a drawing of the attic interior. Mr. Conners decided not
the add shutter to the rear of the house. The Commission was in favor of the new windows and was pleased with this
presentation. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness to enlarge two attic windows and install
two storm windows. Certificate No. 2012C-55
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
881 Massachusetts Avenue
: Sally DeGan, SpaceCraft Architecture, representing, Helene Svahnqvist, presented an 18
page packet with pages on the history of the house, photographs showing existing conditions, front and rear elevations,
interior layout, window and door specifications, new rear porch colum details, plot plan and specification sheets on
proposed decking for proposed rear porch. Ms. DeGan also mentioned that some of the foundation may have to be
replaced and faced with stone. Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle stated that if they could take the original field stone and face
the new sections with that it would be considered an in kind replacement and no approval from The Commission would be
needed.
A comment was made from David Kelland Chairman of the Lexington Historical Commission and abutter regarding the
importance of restoring rather than replacing the original windows. The Commission asked Ms. DeGan if she believes the
frames of the front windows are original and she believes they are. Ms. DeGan was also asked if her client looked into
restoring the original windows. Ms. DeGan stated they had not, but she believed her client would not have any issues with
restoring the front windows. The front windows were determined to be the front and side widows on the main block of the
building and the front and side facing windows on the side additions. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of
appropriateness to build an entry porch on the right rear side, replace and add rear windows. The windows on the front
and side of the house and additions will be restored.
Certificate No. 2012C-56
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
MINUTES FOR THURSDAY, September 6, 2012
FORMAL HEARINGS CONT.
1762 Massachusetts Avenue:
John Pinsky, One2Onebodyscapes, presented two pages showing ideas for a blade sign.
This business is on the second floor and there is one entrance for two businesses. The other business Lexington Power
Yoga applied for and received a Certificate of Appropriateness for a blade sign in July. The storefront Eyelook Optical
received a Certificate for an awning in August. As a result of these two previous actions, an additional blade sign would
not be seen and the building façade would look too crowded. Mr. Pinsky appeared before The Commission as an informal
hearing in August and it was mentioned that one bracket with both the Yoga and Bodyscape signs positioned side by side
might work. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness for one blade sign bracket and two sign to
be position above the right side of the entry door to 1762 Massachusetts Avenue. Certificate No. 2012C-57
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
1984 Massachusetts Avenue
: Caroline Kluchman, presented the proposed colors, a photograph of where they will be
located, photographs of house showing where shutters would be placed, and a cut sheet of the proposed shutter and
hardware. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness for exterior color change, and addition of
shutters. Certificate No. 2012C-58
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
CONTINUED HEARINGS
1048 Massachusetts Avenue
: Nick Afshartous, presented a cut sheet of the proposed window and two photographs
showing exactly which windows are being replaced. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness
for replacement windows. Certificate No. 2012C-59
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
846 Massachusetts Avenue
: Tony Preece, representing, Linda Gong, presented two photographs of the existing building
and a detailed drawing of the Awning with wording and building number. The Commission requested Mr. Preece send the
exact color information for the file. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness for an awning
with wording. Certificate No. 2012C-60
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
18-20 Waltham Street
: Christopher Rapczynski, representing, Marcus Palmer, presented a plan showing the front façade
and the exact location of awning, signs, lighting, paint samples, and proposed fence. The Commission thought everything
looked fine and were able to take a look at the sample on the building. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of
appropriateness for signage, lighting, exterior paint color, awning and fence. Certificate No. 2012C-61
Voting Commissioners were: Acting Chairman, Scott Kyle, Daniel Griffin, Paul Ross, and Robert Warshawer and
Associate Commissioner: Carl Oldenburg
MINUTES FOR THURSDAY, September 6, 2012
INFORMAL HEARINGS
1960 Massachusetts Avenue
: Steve Heim, showed a drawing of a proposed dormer over the garage. Mr. Heim was
thinking to match the dormer to the one on the main house. The Commission suggested that Mr. Heim choose a dormer
design that matches the simplicity of the garage. Mr. Heim will do some more planning and come back for a formal
hearing.
1 Bedford Street
: Susan Bennett, Executive Director Lexington Historical Society, Exterior Architectural Change in the
Battle Green District. Postponed to October 2012 hearing by request of applicant
10 Woburn Street
: Bill Daley, showed a sign example he would like to use to commemorate the location of the founding
of the Lexington Little League. This style of sign would match others around town erected by the Lexington Historical
Society in the late 1970’s. Mr. Daley is thinking of using either a short post or a stone. When Mr. Daley is ready to apply
for a formal hearing the property owner must sign the application and Mr. Daley can be the applicant. The Commission
will also need to see a plot plan showing where the proposed sign will be located.
OTHER BUSINESS
Upon Motion duly made and seconded it was voted to approve the July 2012 as amended.
Upon Motion duly made and seconded it was voted to ajourn the meeting at 9:30 PM
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH COMMISSIONER TO VIEW ALL
PROPERTIES ON THE AGENDA PRIOR TO THE MEETING.