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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-13-HC-minHISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 13, 2013 Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in Cary Hall at the Ellen Stone Room, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA on June 13, 2013. The meeting convened at 7:31 pm. Historical Commission members in attendance: Mr. David Kelland, Mr. Frank Kern, Mr. Wendall Kalsow, Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa Member(s) not in attendance: Ms. Sally Zimmerman AGENDA ITEM #1: (Time 7:31 pm) Continued Public Hearing from May 9 th on the application for partial demolition permit for 282 Bedford Street. APPLICANTS PRESENT: Mr. Paul Dominici, B& D Building, 1161 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144 Ms, Lisa Domenici, B & D Building Building, 1161 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144 Ms. Holly Baab, Associate Director, Edinburg Center, 1040 Waltham St, Lexington, MA Mr. Randy Brown, Facilities Mgr, Edinburg Center, 1040 Waltham St, Lexington, MA DOCUMENTS: • New revised drawing of the proposed replacement structure showing a foot setback and lowered roofline • Notes and opinions written by Ms. Zimmerman from the May 31 site visit at 282 Bedford Street (attached pages 6 -12) SUMMARY: A site visit was conducted on May 31 by Ms. Sally Zimmerman and Mr. Joseph Cornish, Supervising Preservation Services Manager at Historic New England, to determine if the rearmost ell represented an 18 century structure and examine the historic fabric of the rear most ell structure, exterior and interior. HC Chair, Mr. Kelland, for the record, read aloud notes and comments written by Ms. Zimmerman, of the site visit to the Nathan Reed House located at 282 Bedford Street, on behalf of the Lexington Historical Commission. Photographs and a revised drawing were examined by the Commission. Public Comments: none MOTION: moved by Mr. Kalsow, and seconded, to find the rearmost ell significant but not preferably preserved thereby allowing its demolition and replacement to proceed as noted. (See attached notes 1 -5, ADDENDUM #1, page 6 ) VOTE: 5 -0 in favor. Time: 7:47 pm AGENDA ITEM: HC Future Public Hearing Meetings Starting September 2013 Starting in September 2013 and for the 2014 calendar year, the Historical Commission Public Hearing Meetings will be held on the third Thursday of every month. AGENDA # 2: (Time: 7:51 pm) Permit Application for Demolition of Two Car Garage at 20 Partridge Road. APPLICANTS PRESENT: Mr. Andrew Sidford, Andrew Sidford Architects of Newburyport, MA Mr. Bernhardt Trout, Homeowner, 20 Partridge Road, Lexington, MA DOCUMENTS: • Front & Rear Elevation View Drawings of proposed new 3 car garage, mudroom and attached shed • Site Plan • Copy of record card from the Lexington Building Department for existing 2 car garage SUMMARY: Mr. Andrew Sidford presented to the Commission photographs of existing 2 car garage and architectural drawings of the proposed 3 car garage, mudroom and shed. Architect noted that the garage proposed for demolition was built in 1986 and was not part of the original house. Architectural plans were presented to the Commission, and expressed that the purpose of the proposed three car garage, mudroom and storage shed was to be unobtrusive. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Mr. Kalsow, and seconded, that the existing two car garage at 20 Partridge Road is not historically significant; therefore not preferably preserved. Care is taken by the Applicant on demolition to minimize impact to the historic house. The Commission voted to allow demolition of the two car garage. VOTE: 4 -0 in favor. AGENDA ITEM: (Time: 8:03 pm) Historic Preservation Conference Ms. Fenollosa updated the Commission that planning was proceeding. The Historic Preservation Conference is planned for October 18, 2013. The program consists of 15 to 16 sessions, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, each for speakers, panels, demonstrations and tours. • Town is on board including Carl Valente and Robert Addelson 2 • Registration and payments will be online. • $11,200 in award money from the MHC • No expenditures required from Town of Lexington • Looking for volunteer interest at all levels • Seeking financial support, approximately $1200, for printing of handouts. ACTION ITEM: Marilyn will ask Town Manager and Board of Selectmen for $1200 AGENDA # 3: (Time 8:11 pm) 4 Tewksbury Street, application for partial demolition APPLICANTS PRESENT: Mr. Bruce Hughes, Bruce Hughes Construction, 12 Kirk Rd, Billerica, MA Mr. Sean Bridgeo & Ms. Ally Lynch, Homeowners, 4 Tewksbury St, Lexington, MA DOCUMENTS: • Photos showing existing conditions • Side Elevation Plans • Cultural Resource Survey of 4 Tewksbury Street SUMMARY: Mr. Bruce Hughes, Contractor, started the presentation by saying that they are seeking partial demolition of the existing 6' X 24' porch, spanning the front section of house, built in the late 60s 70's, which is in state of disrepair. As part of update, a small porch will be built as part of 20' X 24' addition including a bedroom. Replacement windows will be wooden Pella windows. Plans were examined by the Commission. Addition will include bedroom window, entryway window, small front porch, extended area of upper section and living room in first floor. Existing area of house is 1100 sf. Addition is approximately 900 sf. COMMISSION COMMENTS: Modifications planned don't detract from the Cultural Resource Survey PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Mr. Kern, and seconded, to allow modifications, according to architectural design plans dated 2/25/2013 VOTE: 4 -0 in favor. (Time: 8:23 pm) Ms. Fenollosa mentioned that Ms. Christine McLaughlin of 19 Slocum Street, called in and said that she discovered old photos of the house and garden, while preparing for the Garden tour. Invitation extended to the Historical Society and Historical Commission to take a look at the photographs. (Time: 8:28 pm) AGENDA ITEM: Other Town Demolition Delay Bylaws Mr. Kelland provided an update to the Commission regarding Demolition Delay Bylaws of Other Towns. He mentioned that Medfield just passed 18 month demolition delay. Other municipalities with similar policy include Acton, Amesbury, Brookline, Chatham, Newton, and Middleboro. AGENDA ITEM: Communications from the Public: None CAPITAL EXPENDITURES Commission will work with Ms. Karen Mullins, Director of Community Development, on a budget to getting about 150 properties to transfer from the Priority (Provisional) List to the Inventory. ACTION ITEMS: An estimate of how much it will cost to do it for a singular property will be figured Ms. Brenda Tabak, HC Clerk, will find out from Ms. Karen Mullins when budget is due in order for HC to provide estimated cost of converting the Priority Provisional List to the HC Inventory. (Time 8:31 pm) Update from Mr. Kelland about the letter from Susan Bennett to the Massachusetts Historical Commission about Buckman Tavern. SUMMARY: HDC reviewed and approved plans for work on Buckman Tavern to enlarge dormer and make room for an elevator, specifically to enlarge the gable in the ground floor to the upper floor for handicap access in the new addition. It was noted to be the least instrusive modification at the Buckman Tavern. Lynn Spencer did the work. ACTION ITEM: Mr. Kelland will contact the MHC saying there is no objection from Historical Commission. in AGENDA ITEM # 4: (Time 8:33 pm) Demolition Permit Application for 19 Maple Street APPLICANTS PRESENT: None ABUTTERS PRESENT: None SUMMARY: A discussion took place among the members of the Commission regarding ideas of what to do when applicant is a no -show, deciding whether to continue the hearing or re- advertise the hearing in order to give proper and timely notice to the property abutters. ACTION ITEM: Ms. Tabak will ask the applicant for 19 Maple Street if they wish to pursue the demolition at 19 Maple Street. AGENDA ITEM # 9: (Time: 8:41 pm) Approval of Minutes from HC Public Hearing May 9, 2013 SUMMARY: (Correction) Peacock Farm has been named in the National Registry. (Correction) Strike out " Moon Hill" -- Moon Hill nomination will be evaluated sometime in July. MOTION: moved by Mr. Kern, and seconded, to approve the May 9 th Meeting Minutes as corrected. VOTE: 4 -0 in favor. AGENDA ITEM #10 (Time: 8:45 pm) Meeting Adjourn MOTION: moved by Mr. Kalsow, and seconded, to adjourn meeting. VOTE: 4 -0 in favor. Meeting adjourned 8:45 pm (EST) Respectfully submitted by, Ms. Brenda Tabak ADDENDUM #1 (May 31, 2013 Site Visit Notes & Pictures by Ms. Zimmerman) From: Sally Zimmerman Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 2:45 PM To: dkelland; Brenda Tabak Subject: Notes on Site Visit to 282 Bedford Street; Zimmerman comments for Hearing Attachments: Notes of Site Visit to Nathan Reed House.docx Dear David and Brenda: I visited the Nathan Reed house this morning and am attaching the notes from that visit. Joseph Cornish, Supervising Preservation Services Manager at Historic New England was able to accompany me to provide his insights and expertise which were very valuable. We concluded that there is evidence for an 18 century structure surviving in the rearmost ell as you will read. We were also able to conjecture further on the possible sequence of construction of the house as a whole with possible dates for those changes. I will also provide a hard copy of the notes and a CD of photographs of the house taken on our visit to Ms. Tabak by hand. I advised the applicants to contact you immediately to be placed on the June 13 agenda, and that it was my sense, that as a continuation of the May 9 hearing, additional legal notification would not be required. Finally, I would like to convey my comments for the continuation of this hearing on June 13, which I will be unable to attend, and offer my opinion that, in light of: 1) the marginal state of preservation of the rearmost ell, which was probably moved back from the main house about 1836 when a newer, larger and more architecturally consistent ell appears to have been added to the house; and 2) its apparently truncated form as evidenced by the blank end wall of the structure; and 3) its significantly altered interior condition; and 4) the stated willingness at the May 9 hearing of the applicants to modify their proposed replacement structure to preserve a setback from the corner of the ell on the east side and to lower the roofline of the proposed replacement to below the frieze board on the south side of the ell; and 5) the stated willingness of the applicants at our onsite meeting May 31 to carefully expose the underlying structure of the rearmost ell, by removing exterior clapboard to expose the sheathing broads, and also by removing cosmetic finishes, modern drywall and carpeting on the interior, and providing the Commission the opportunity to photographically document the fabric thus exposed prior to demolition; the rearmost ell is not a preferably preserved structure and therefore, I would vote in favor of a motion to find the rearmost ell significant but not preferably preserved thereby allowing its demolition and replacement to proceed as conditioned above. I hope my notes and comments will assist the Commission to make a more fully considered decision on this matter. Thank you. Sincerely, Sally Zimmerman Lexington Historical Commission member 31 Notes of Site Visit to Nathan Reed House, 282 Bedford Street, May 31, 2013 on behalf of the Lexington Historical Commission Prepared by Sally Zimmerman for the Lexington Historical Commission Note: I was joined by Joseph Cornish, Historic New England. Others present were the contractor, contractor's administrator, and four staff of the Edinburg Center (do not have their names) Purpose The purpose of the site visit was to examine the historic fabric of the building, exterior and interior, of the rearmost ell structure, proposed for demolition and replacement by the Edinburg Center. The rearmost ell structure is noted in the Inventory form for 282 Bedford Street (prepared Nancy S. Seasholes, April 1998, form number 774, 775) as the earliest structure on the property, associated with the ownership of William Reed (1693- 1778). At its May 9, 2013 meeting, the Commission expressed the desire for a subcommittee to meet on site to review the building to see if it was possible to determine whether the rearmost ell represented an 18 century structure, or had been wholly or partially constructed more recently. History of Property Ownership 1. William Reed, b. 1693 - d. 1778 [traditionally held to be builder of rearmost ell only] 2. Nathan Reed, b. 1743 - d. 1811 [built main house in 1786 according to assessor's records]' 3. Nathan, Jr., b. 1776 - d. 1836 and Christopher, b. 1792 - d. 1861 [inherited property in 1817] 4. Cyrus Reed b. 1798 — d. 1873 [inherited property in 1836] 5. George T. Smith [purchased property in 1872] Findings: 1. Rear Ell Exterior: The shallow gable pitch of the roof is consistent with the proportions and roofline of a one -room deep structure of the 18 century. The end wall is without windows and has modern clapboard siding, both perhaps consistent with the possibility that a further portion of the structure (aligning with a rough perimeter of stones on the adjacent "patio ") might reflect the original size of the rearmost ell structure. Also consistent with a possible 18 century date are the very narrow second story windows on the east elevation, which have projecting mortised and tenoned frames consistent with 18 century sash construction. Other windows on the east and west elevations of the rearmost ell are modern alterations. Interior: The first floor finishes are entirely encased in 20 /21 century drywall, but posts are evident in the corners of the rear most room, and in a closet, a rear corner post is exposed. On the second floor of the rearmost ell, the ceiling height is quite low and the ' Nathan Reed married Mary Page of Bedford, Mass. in 1772; Mary Page Reed's father, Christopher Page, died in 1786, perhaps providing a date for an inheritance that might have enabled the construction of the Nathan Reed house in that year. 7 lower chord of the rafter bays is evident, though plastered over, in four bays spaced about 8' apart. Beneath modern wall to wall carpet, wide board floors with cut nails are present. In the basement area, a shed roofed addition at the foundation level is probably 20 century in origin. The foundation /cellar area of the rearmost ell exhibits sills, corner braces, and posts consistent with an 18 century date, as well as up and down sawn sheathing boards. The sill levels of the rearmost ell and the ell do not align, with the rearmost ell sill about 6" above the ell sill, suggesting that the two structures were not built at the same time, but rather butted together at a later date. Mr. Cornish and I concluded that there was evidence structurally, inside and outside, that the rearmost ell represents a portion of an earlier structure of 18 century origins. 2. Conjectural Evolution of the Structure as a Whole Mr. Cornish and I reviewed the exterior perimeter of the house, which consists of three sections: a 5 bay by 2 bay, 2 '/2 story center entrance main block with brick end walls, each with two interior chimneys, and a pedimented gable roof, • a 4 -5 bay x by 1 bay, 2 story gable roofed ell, and • a 2 bay by 1 bay, 1 '/2 story rear ell. Exterior: Molding profiles of door casings, of window casings in the ell, and the cornices of both the main block and ell are consistent with the Greek Revival period and have a flattened elliptical shape. In addition, the gabled end pediments, with deep rake moldings, are visually quite prominent and also consistent with the Greek Revival style. Other exterior features have an earlier appearance, including the decorative front entrance surround; wide, tapering pilasters at the corners; the masonry of the brick end walls with a second story string course; the keystoned, semi - circular fanlight at the entrance (shown in the 1998 inventory form and now removed); the mortised and tenoned window frames of the main facade; and the 12/12 window sashes of the main house (also removed since 1998); these are consistent with a late Georgian/Federal style and a late 18 century date of construction, at the traditional date of 1786. Based on the differing character and molding profiles of the roof structures on both the main block and the ell, and of the door and window casings of the ell, Mr. Cornish and I conjectured that the original roof on the house (which was probably a low hipped roof) was rebuilt in the Greek Revival style and that the ell was probably also built at the same time. The new roof and ell were constructed in the 19 century, probably c. 1836 when Cyrus Reed inherited the property. Interior: Interior finishes consistent with late Georgian/Federal were observed in the two front ground floor rooms of the main house and in the main staircase. In those rooms, mantels, deep window reveals, chair rails, and wide board wainscots are all present. The staircase is quite intact with scrolled molding on the end caps of the stair, a plain square newel, and square balusters set at a 45- degree angle. Conclusion: Mr. Cornish and I concluded on the basis of the physical fabric we observed that it is possible there was an existing 18 century house on the property at the time the main house was constructed, c. 1786, that the earlier house was reused as the ell of the c. 1786 house and that when the roof was reconstructed, c. 1836, a new ell was inserted and that the earlier house was relocated to the rearmost position it now occupies. M I Y f 1{ T, Shallow roof pitch on rearmost ell consistent with one room deep house; blank wall is evidence of possible truncation; patio shows possible extent of original structure; shed is 20 century. "Patio" structure with perimeter rubble wall parged or covered in places with modern concrete; possible footprint of a larger structure 10 Exposed post in rearmost ell 11 Wide board flooring with cut nails in rearmost ell 12 a