HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-11-HC-minTown of Lexington
Historical Commission Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2013
Call to order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission Board was held in
Cary Hall at the Ellen Stone Room, Lexington, MA on April 11, 2013. The meeting
convened at 7:30 p.m.
HC Board Members in attendance:
Mr. David Kelland, Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, Mr. Wendall Kalsow, Mr. Frank Kern
HC Members not in attendance:
Ms. Sally Zimmerman
AGENDA ITEM #1: Public Hearing on Demolition Application by Ms. Carmen
DeLaCruz, Applicant/Homeowner, for house located at 6 Robinson Road.
APPLICANT & ATTENDEES:
Ms. Carmen DeLaCruz, Applicant, 6 Robinson Rd, Lexington MA; Mr. John Farrington,
Attorney for Applicant, 1 Militia Dr, Lexington; Mr. Eppy Pererian, Supt Northshore
Construction and Development, 185 Florence St, Melrose, MA; Ms. Kristen Price, Real
Estate Agent for Ms. Carmen DeLaCruz 149 White Birch St Leicester MA 01524; Mr.
Doug Raye, Real Estate Agent of Raveis Realty, Lexington MA
Documents submitted at meeting
Ten (10) Pictures of 6 Robinson Rd
One (1) Site Map Drawing
SUMMARY:
Attorney Mr. John Farrington, representing homeowner, Ms. Carmen DeLaCruz,
described the property located next to Highway Route 128, aka Highway 95. The house
was built in the 1900's, and is a vinyl sided 1,000 sq. ft. box, resting on a fieldstone
foundation. There is no architectural detail left inside of house. Real Estate Agent Ms.
Kristen Price listed the house with MLS at $499,900. The major complaints from those
who expressed interest included the noisy highway, view of highway, ledge, and sharp
inclines. She stated there was no way to add value to house. The house was listed on
MLS for sale, alternating between a single lot ( #6) and joint lot with adjacent lot ( #4).
Owner Ms. Carmen DeLaCruz has been trying sell the home for the past three years with
little to no interest. She requested permission to have demolition permit issued.
Public Comments: A neighbor at 8 Robinson Road expressed concern about blasting.
HC Members Comments: Mr. Frank Kern made reference to the fact that the HC
decision is based on deciding if the loss (of 6 Robinson) would be detrimental or a
significant loss of resources. He expressed that he can't think of a style for this home
and concluded by saying he couldn't see a reason why this house is included in the
Lexington Cultural Resources Survey (the Inventory).
Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa agreed with Mr. Frank Kern and further stated that house hasn't
retained any architectural integrity. She suggested that the HC should delete the property
from the Inventory. Mr. Wendall Kalsow agreed.
MOTION moved by Ms. Fenollosa and seconded, to delete the house located at 6
Robinson Rd from the Inventory. Effective today, Thursday, April 11, 2013, the house is
deleted from the Inventory. The Building Commissioner, Mr. Garry Rhodes, will be
informed immediately that the house at 6 Robinson Road is no longer in the Inventory.
Vote 4:0 in favor
AGENDA ITEM #2: Reconsideration of 75 Simonds Road
APPLICATION SUMMARY: Mr. Ernie Rogers, Applicant, stated that a public
hearing was held previously on June 14, 2012, where the HC voted to delay demolition.
Listing Broker Ms. Helen Lawrence stated that the health of the 94 year old, blind, seller
is declining. The would -be owner, Mr. Ernie Rogers, stated that the time element is a
factor and hence they were returning to ask if the building permit could be issued sooner
than the conclusion of the one year delay in June 2013. According to Mr. Rogers, the
only offers received were from builders wanting to demolish property.
Historical Commission Comments: Mr. David Kelland asked about the details of
efforts to sell it and if there were other offers other than those interested in demolishing
it. Ms. Helen Lawrence replied that she listed on MLS, reaching 15,000 realtors. It
marketed easily two weeks later when Mr. Rogers came forward. He has been carrying
the property since June 2012. Ms. Lawrence went further to say that the property has
extensive termite damage and other hazards and is in deplorable condition. She says she
left the meeting last year (June 2012) with the understanding that the applicant for a
demolition permit can return in less that one year after making efforts to sell the property.
Mr. Kelland stressed that for a demolition delay period to be suspended, a continuing and
bona fide effort must be made to restore or find a buyer who would preserve or restore
property. Mr.Wendall Kalsow read relevant sections of the Demolition Delay Bylaw
into the public record.
Mr. Frank Kern stated that the essence of 1 year delay is to preserve property. In June
2012, the HC did not find that the evidence was not sufficient to permit the demolition,
and, hence the HC made a decision to delay demolition. Mr. Kelland concluded that in
June 2013, the owner can do whatever he wishes to the property. He reminded the
applicants that the Bylaw is a public record.
MOTION moved by Mr. Kalsow and seconded, to deny request to waive the remainder
of the demolition delay period applicable to 75 Simonds Road house since there does not
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appear to have been a bona fide effort to preserving property or sell it to a buyer who
would. The Building Commissioner will be notified of the HC's decision.
Vote: 4 -0 in favor
AGENDA ITEM #3: Update on Historical Commission CPA projects
Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa provided updates on CPA projects at Town Meeting. All historic
projects passed, including the Cary Memorial Hall restoration project, even though the
Board of Selectmen had voted (2) for moving forward and (3) for delaying for Cary. All
projects passed including Buckman Tavern, Merriam Hill, Moon Hill.
HC Comment: Mr. Frank Kern asked about Scottish Rite property on Marrett Road.
Ms. Fenollosa replied that the Town of Lexington has purchased the Mansion with its
modern addition and the Carriage House. The Scottish Rite still owns the Museum and
Commanders House. The Town has access to right of ways and access to parking lots.
Plans are to convert the purchased property into a Community Center of some sort. Work
still needs to be done to bring elevators up to code.
Reference was made to the Vine Street farmhouse: Ms. Fenollosa reported that LexHAB
has torn it down and asked Town Meeting for $450,000 to develop housing on the
property. Town Meeting voted "NO" to fund the project.
Ms. Fenollosa confirmed that the Demolition Delay Bylaw Change put forth by Board of
Selectmen was adopted at Town Meeting. The initial form of the amendment was
changed to coincide with length of time, 21 days, in the HC policy on the matter.
Mr. Bob Pressman, an observer at the meeting, asked about the Visitor Center Project
which is delayed for further study. The Visitor Center is a historic project that the
Tourism Committee wants to rehabilitate and build a large addition to accommodate
additional programming. The Board of Selectmen voted to delay until fall.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Report of Lexington Demolition.
Mr. David Kelland announced that Garry Rhodes is retiring on June 28 Mr. Kelland
has high regard for Mr. Rhodes who has consistently supported the Historic Commission
during his term as building commissioner. Mr. Kelland spoke with Mr. Rhodes regarding
demolition in Lexington, and presented a table that shows demolition over 5 years in
towns surrounding, (i.e. Lexington, Acton, Winchester, Belmont, Concord). According
to Mr. Rhodes, builders demolish homes and replace them with homes that are sold for
2.5 times what the builder paid. Generally, large houses are being built to replace older,
smaller homes throughout the five towns.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Approval of Minutes from March 14 Meeting
Comment from Mr. Frank Kern: The last minutes posted online was August 2012. The
February 2013 Minutes still need to be found, reviewed, and approved.
MOTION moved by Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, and seconded to accept the March Meeting
Minutes.
Vote: 4:0 approve
ITEM #6: Communications from the Public: None
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Submitted by: Ms. Brenda Tabak
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