HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-04- HDC-min
Town of Lexington
Historic Districts Commission
Joseph Welch, Chairman
Tel: (781) 862-0500 x294
Daniel Griffin Jr.
Fax: (781)
861-2780
Paul Ross
Robert Warshawer
Minutes of Thursday, April 4, 2013, Selectmen Meeting Room, Town Hall Building at 7:00 PM
Commissioners present: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl Oldenburg,
Marilyn Fenollosa, and Barbara Feldman
Department Clerk: Amy Casparius
Absent Commissioners: Daniel Griffin and Paul Ross and Associate Commissioner: Lynn Hopkins
FORMAL HEARINGS
1707 Mass Avenue:
Attorney Thomas O. Fenn, representing Frank Chen, Fruitee Yogurt, is asking for a modification to
Certificate No. 2012C-22 to allow the approved 4 tables and 8 chairs to remain out over night. Attorney Fenn is also
requesting a temporary business sign to be placed on the sidewalk owned by the building. There are two requested
locations for the sign. One location is near the Dunkin Donuts in order to be seen on Massachusetts Avenue. The other
location is near The Dry Cleaners in order to be seen on the Bike Path. The Board of Appeals has approved both requests
pending the approval of this Commission. The Commission wants the applicant to find a different material for the sign
itself, a plastic sandwich board is not appropriate for the Historic District. The Commission will allow the sign to be used
as presented during the summer of 2013.
The Commission voted 5-0 for a modification to Certificate No. 2012C-22 to allow the approved 4 tables and 8 chairs to
remain out over night, and to issue a certificate of appropriateness for a Temporary Business Sign to be placed out a few
times each week in one of the two location requested. Certificate No. 2013C-9
Voting Commissioners were: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl
Oldenburg, Marilyn Fenollosa and Barbara Feldman
1960 Massachusetts Avenue:
Stephen and Amy Heim, owners, Exterior Architectural Changes (Add dormer/extend
roof line above attached garage.) in the Battle Green District. This hearing has been continued until May 2013 by request
of the applicant.
1875 Massachusetts Avenue:
Susan Bennett, Lexington Historical Society, and Patrick Guthrie, Architect, Menders,
Torrey & Spencer presented drawings for modifications and restoration to the Buckman Tavern. The presented changes
will make the Buckman Tavern more accessible. Ms. Bennett also requested approval to the relocate the sign closer to the
new visitor entrance. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness for restoration and modifications
and relocating the post sign. Certificate No. 2013C-10
Voting Commissioners were: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl
Oldenburg, Marilyn Fenollosa and Barbara Feldman
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
e-mail acasparius@lexingtonma.gov
HDC Minutes, April 4, 2013
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FORMAL HEARINGS CONTINUED
1153 Massachusetts Avenue:
Richard Michelson representing The Lions Club of Lexington and the Rotary Club of
Lexington presented a, drawing of proposed signage, map with proposed location, approval letters from the Town of
Lexington and the Supreme Council with respect to installation of a freestanding civic sign on the grounds of the National
Heritage Museum, and photograph of a matching sign at different location in town. The Commission felt that the spacing
between the top panel and the first organization is very crowed and requested a 1 or 2-inch space be placed there. The
applicant had no problem requesting the sign maker make the change. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of
appropriateness for a freestanding civic sign. Certificate No. 2013C-11
Voting Commissioners were: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl
Oldenburg, Marilyn Fenollosa and Barbara Feldman
1688 Massachusetts Avenue:
Bernie Osgood representing the Higgins Group Realtors presented a drawing with
specification of the proposed projecting sign, and a photoshopped image of what the sign will look like in place. The
proposed sign shall be placed in the space to the right of the front door and to the side of the existing wall sign. This sign
will match the signage at ride studio café located at 1720 Massachusetts Avenue. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a
certificate of appropriateness for a projecting sign. Certificate No. 20213C-12
Voting Commissioners were: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl
Oldenburg, Marilyn Fenollosa and Barbara Feldman
1403 Massachusetts Avenue:
Emily Passman representing Munroe Center for the Arts presented photographs showing
existing and proposed signage and sign lighting. The existing sign panel will be painted a blue and red with the name
“Munroe Center for the Arts” in yellow. A small removable “Gallery Open” panel will be hung from the bottom of the
main sign panel. The address number will be painted in black on the left of the top horizontal post. The applicant
requested to externally light the sign by centering a lighting fixture on the top horizontal post. This lighting will match the
signage at 1475 Massachusetts Avenue.
Tom Griffiths, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Munroe Center for the Arts, asked if replacing windows had to be
presented to the Commission. Chairman Joseph Welch stated that a hearing was required to make any exterior changes to
the building. Since the Munroe Center has such large window, the Commission will work with the applicant to approve
the best window for the building. One commissioner requested that when they are looking into replacement windows they
price out restoring the existing windows so the Munroe Center can make an informed decision.
The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness to repaint and light the existing freestanding sign.
Certificate No. 2013C-13
Voting Commissioners were: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl
Oldenburg, Marilyn Fenollosa and Barbara Feldman
CONTINUED HEARINGS
14 Tavern Lane:
Ernest Rogers of Rogers and Company presented drawings, specification and a plot plan to construct a
2.5 story single family home with an attached two vehicle garage. The Commission has seen this project informally a few
times and is reviewing the specific details at this hearing. A few clarifications were needed regarding the gutters being
wood and not aluminum as stated on the plans, the garage doors need to be changed to a wood product, and the material
for walkway needs to be determined. The Commission voted 4-1 to issue a certificate of appropriateness for a new Single
Family Dwelling. One Member voted against the project feeling that the existing home did not need to be demolished and
it was in fact her responsibility to protect the existing home. Certificate No. 2013C-8
Voting in favor were Commissioners: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners:
Carl Oldenburg, and Marilyn Fenollosa. Voting against was Associate Commissioner Barbara Feldman
Tourism Committee:
Dawn McKenna, Chairman Tourism Committee and Jerry Michelson presented a seven (7) page
packet showing existing and proposed parking signage throughout the Battle Green District. The applicants want to
enlarge the existing signage keeping the colors consistent with the Lexington signage program while incorporating the
internationally recognized parking symbol. There will be seven (7) signs altogether with two of the signs having double
arrows. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a certificate of appropriateness for new parking signage throughout the Battle
Green District. Certificate No. 2013C-14
Voting Commissioners were: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl
Oldenburg, Marilyn Fenollosa and Barbara Feldman
HDC Minutes, April 4, 2013
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CONTINUED HEARINGS CONTINUED
Tower Park:
Dawn McKenna, Chairman Tourism Committee presented a drawing showing the location of the park name
on the wall, specification sheet, and letter from Studio2112 Landscape Architecture. The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a
certificate of appropriateness for signage engraved into the center wall of Antony Park. Certificate No. 2013C-15
Voting Commissioners were: Chairman, Joseph Welch, and Robert Warshawer and Associate Commissioners: Carl
Oldenburg, Marilyn Fenollosa and Barbara Feldman
2013 and 2027 Massachusetts Avenue:
Trisha Kennaley, AB Holdings, Exterior Architectural Change, in the Battle
Green District. (Paint color change.) Ms. Kennaley did not attend the hearing.
INFORMAL HEARINGS
739 Massachusetts Avenue:
Paul Menz representing the Waldorf School showed ideas for a new main sign, three or
four location signs and lighting around the campus. The Commission did not like the idea to cover over the Frieze
lettering for the Adams School building. The Commission feels that this element is a part of the historic fabric of the
building and replacing the existing signage at the entrance to the building will be sufficient to remove any confusion. Mr.
Menz is ready for a formal hearing in May 2013.
46E Bedford Street:
Igor Ostrovsky, owner of Apex Wine and Spirits showed photographs of proposed signage. The
lettering will say Wine and Spirits. Mr. Ostrovsky feels that the entire name of the business appears too small on the wall
sign. The Commission has no issues with just wine and spirits on the wall sign as long as Mr. Ostrovsky does not. The
panel for the standing sign will have the entire name and conform to the standards for that sign. A temporary sign will be
allowed only until the permanent signage is ready.
OTHER BUSINESS
1557 Massachusetts Avenue
: Chairman Joseph Welch read a letter received from a former permanent building
committee member regarding the Hammond Hosmer House. The resident feels that the changes were a huge mistake and
the building should be moved from its current location to a less obvious spot. Joseph Welch, explained that the purview of
the Historic Commission is to approve plans submitted not create them. The Commission approved the plans to stabilize
the main section of the building until its new purpose is determined. There is no objection to moving the building to a
different location on this site in the future. The Commission did not approve the original proposal to remove the building
from the site and out of the Historic District. Removing this building from the site would have been detrimental to the
mission of the Historic District Commission, and stabilization was the best compromise.
Currently there is no landscaping around the house. The facilities department is in charge of the landscaping and this letter
will be forwarded to Patrick Goddard, Director of Facilities,
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Massachusetts Avenue & Worthen Road Banners:
Susan Rockwell, Chairman 300 Anniversary Committee requested
that the banners be allowed to remain up thru Summer 2013. Many organizations in town have added events celebrating
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Lexington’s 300 Anniversary after the offical town celebration has concluded in May. The Commission did not see any
issue with allowing the banners to remiane and the Certificate of Appropriateness will be adjusted accordingly.
Upon Motion duly made and seconded it was voted to approve the minutes from March 7, 2013
Upon Motion duly made and seconded it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM
HDC Minutes, April 4, 2013
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