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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-19-HC-minHISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 19, 2013 Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in Cary Hall at the Ellen Stone Room, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA on September 19, 2013. The meeting convened at 7:30 PM. Historical Commission Members in Attendance: Mr. David Kelland, Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, Mr. Frank Kern, Ms. Sally Zimmerman, Mr. Wendall Kalsow AGENDA ITEM #1 (Time: 7:30 PM) Public Hearing on Demolition Application for 61 Woburn Street APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Mr. & Mrs. Mark Barons, General Contractor/Future Homeowner, 4 Bowser Road, Lexington, MA 02420 Janet & Kim Loder, Homeowners, 38 Bolton Road, Billerica, MA 01821 Mr. John Farrington, Attorney, 5 Militia Drive, Lexington, MA 02421 ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Photos (15), Exterior views of 61 Woburn Street Structure Inspection letter dated September 4, 2013 from Sami E Kassis, P.E., and Design by Sami, 28 Old Town Road, Walpole, MA 02081 SUMMARY: Attorney, Mr. John Farrington, speaking on behalf of would be Homeowner, Mr. Mark Barons, stated that the structure at 61 Woburn Street has serious structural issue. Mr. Farrington explained that the house had been modified over a long period of time. Mr. Barons expresses that he wanted to replace it with a 3,000 sf house that meets current building and zoning regulations. He said his intent is to build his own personal residence. An independent report by project engineer, Sami E Kassis concluded in his report that the structural components of the house are compromised and substandard. HC COMMENTS: The Commission discussed the loss of the structure and the impact on the town. The house probably started Italianette style with two rooms on the first floor. The significance to the neighborhood is that it is a small house that represented the working class. The condition of the building mitigates against it. The house has no structural, stylistic, and architectural integrity. Considering the structural engineering report, size and setting, the Commission concluded that they couldn't support delaying demolition. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Ms. Fenollosa, and seconded, stated that the house located at 61 Woburn Street be not preferably preserved and recommend allowing demolition. VOTE: 5 -0 in favor. Town of Lexington Historical Commission Public Hearing Date: September 19, 2013 AGENDA ITEM # 2 Public Hearing on Partial Demolition (Re- Siding) located at 44 Fletcher Street APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Mr. Jeffry Grinarmle, Builder, 15 Forrester St #3, Salem, MA 01970 Ms. Mary Ann Maloney, Homeowner, 44 Fletcher Avenue, Lexington MA 02420 ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): • Scope of Work (one page) remove existing vinyl siding & replace with cedar clapboards, cornerboards, remove existing windows and storm; four over one wooden replacement windows • Photos (quantity: four) interior and exterior views SUMMARY: Contractor, Mr. Jeffrey Grinarmle, summarized the proposed work including taking the vinyl siding off and replacing with clapboard, exposing internal detail. The work would entail opening the gable and restore to the original look. In addition, work would also include removing existing windows and storms and would be replaced with matching four over one wooden replacement. Damaged window trim and sill would be removed and new trim would be installed, with band molding and sill to match original details. Additionally, the scope of work included porch decking removal and replacement with stained mahogany decking, replacement of knee wall around the porch and replaced with painted wooden handrail and wooden balusters. HC COMMENTS: The Commission discussed the windows and offered advice to restore original look. They expressed that the windows are in good condition and suggested they be saved. They offered advice about the restoration of windows especially at the front facade and keeping the interior storm windows and sheathing. They expressed that old windows have impurities in the waviness, like windows in the 1960's. The Commission commented that the proposed changes are a positive change. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Ms. Zimmerman, and seconded, to approve selective demolition to enable exterior appearance to be restored to original look VOTE: 5 -0 in favor. 2 Town of Lexington Historical Commission Public Hearing Date: September 19, 2013 AGENDA ITEM # 3 97 Meriam Street APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Mr, Colin Smith, Architect, representing Homeowner, 1666 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA DOCUMENT(S): • MHC Survey Form for 97 Meriam Street (3 pages) • Photos (quantity: 8) • Drawings of proposed construction (3 pages) A0.1, A3.1, A3.2 • Architectural Site Plan A0.1 • Exterior Elevations A3.1 & A3.2 SUMMARY: Architect, Mr. Colin Smith, introduced himself as representing the homeowner who was not present at tonight's meeting. He stated that the house was built in 1914 by two sisters and it was the reason why the adjacent homes faced each other. Mr. Smith proceeded to explain the scope of work for 97 Meriam Street. The existing home is 1850 sf. The proposal was to build a new semi - detached 2 car garage with connector porch; the addition would be to the side of the house. The existing two car garage and porch are to be removed. The driveway would be reconfigured as well. The addition would consist of 1,000 sf, and match existing gambrel roof, keeping the shingles. The garage would be separated from the house. Mr. Smith pointed out that the current driveway is a straight shot. The architectural intent would be to move the driveway out to reactivate the front door, keeping the garage door and side door private. Lastly, the architect discussed egress to meet building codes. HC COMMENTS: The Commission examined the plans and noted the lattice detail. In addition to the discussion about the placement of the bulkhead, they considered the demolition of the garage structure and the free standing shed in the back. They were assured by the architect that the roof line of the new garage, shape & height, would be identical to the house. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Theresa Kavanaugh, Abutter, of 15 Woodland Road, interested in the space the addition would take up but found it not too significant. She also wished to convey to the homeowner to replace shrubbery along the plot line to shield the additional structure to multiple neighbors. The Architect responded to abutter that buffer along the back will be worked on. MOTION: moved by Mr. Kalsow, and seconded, to approve the selective demolition of the garage and shed. VOTE: 4 -0 in favor. (Note: Mr. Kelland abstained from voting) Town of Lexington Historical Commission Public Hearing Date: September 19, 2013 AGENDA ITEM # 4 Continued Hearing for 346 Concord Avenue / Reconsideration of demolition request APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Ms. Kristen Garfield, accompanied by her father, 22 White Street Place, Somerville, MA 02144, daughter of and representing mother, Ms. Gail Buresh, homeowner of 346 Concord Avenue, Lexington, MA ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): • Letter dated September 8, 2013, addressed to Ms. Gail Buresh from Mr. Fabian S Flori, • Verification f Construction Supervisor License of Mr. Fabian S Flori, CS- 069154 Building License expiration date 11/1/2014 (Note: HC members Mr. Kalsow and Ms. Fenollosa recused themselves from discussion and voting because they weren't present in the July meeting during the initial meeting presentation of 346 Concord Avenue) SUMMARY: Ms. Garfield, daughter of homeowner, spoke on behalf of Ms. Buresh, who wasn't able to attend tonight's meeting because she was ill. She presented the Commission with additional information from surveyor, Mr. Fabian S. Flori, CSL state certified. A three page report indicated the conditions and circumstance of the structure. He stated that a number of critical problems including decay of plywood and rafters, mold on plywood, decayed wood studs, missing footings. His opinion was that the house should be razed. It was expressed by both Ms Garfield and her father that Ms. Buresh has no intention of selling the house and that because of her health condition. She wants to build a home with a single floor. They explained the deteriorated condition of the house and explained that the dining room and living room were the only two rooms in the entire house that are in good condition. HC COMMENTS: A discussion among the Commission followed concerning the question of whether the loss of the historical structure. Owner has no intention of selling the house. The Commission read and discussed the letter from CSL certified expert, Mr. Flori, which stated the structure deficient, deteriorated and the expert opinion that the house should be razed. They considered that the likelihood of someone preserving the structure was null since the homeowner is not likely to sell her home. Considering the survey report describing the deteriorated conditions and structural issues, including the four layers of shingles, the Commission members concluded that the inevitable outcome of a year moratorium would likely result in demolition of structure and therefore agreed on allowing demolition. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Mr. Kern, and seconded, to allow demolition of home at 346 Concord Avenue VOTE: 3 -0 in favor in Town of Lexington Historical Commission Public Hearing Date: September 19, 2013 UPDATES: AGENDA ITEM 5: Meriam Hill Update, presentation made by Ms. Ann Grady (8:45 pm) Supplement Survey of Meriam Hill and Contract Objectives Meriam Hill Project Objectives Page One: Ms. Anne Grady's notes dated September 19, 2013 Page Two: Map of Meriam Hill Neighborhood SUMMARY: Ms. Anne Grady is an Architectural Historian. Her objective is to develop and identify up to fifteen properties in Meriam Hill that should be included in the HC Inventory. The Meriam Hill Association helped with a lot of background work on Meriam Hill. Ms. Grady stated there are two phases in the Meriam Hill project. The first part would beat the end of December. The second phase would complete at the end of June. Meriam Hill Project Objectives: Ms. Grady asked the Commission for criteria, guidelines in order to include properties in the Inventory The Commission suggested starting with age, perhaps from Assessor's List, involvement of architect, historic occurrence, and architectural style. Ms. Grady stated Priority List would be mainly focus on properties before 1964, especially in the 1920's and 1930's with a high level of architectural integrity. In addition, Ms Grady will revise Area Form. The Meriam Hill Map on second page presented at tonight's meeting was created with help from Meriam Hill Association. The Commission suggested that Ms. Grady pose questions to the Merial Hill Association such as how the representation is representative of the neighborhood and how Meriam Hill is associated with boundaries. Ann will do up to 15 survey forms in spring (12 Adams is included) Discussion followed among the Commission members about the Master Inventory List as the definitive guide. However there are some properties that do not have individual survey forms, for example, Outlook Drive. There are a number of homes on Outlook Drive that is referred to by Area Y. It was concluded that if a property has a number in parenthesis, an Area Form has been assigned and there is no individual form. The Area Form is part of an area, an area designated as significant because they are in the Inventory. AGENDA ITEM: Informal Hearings: • 44 -46 Parker Street, (2 family) John Seward, Architect, was present to seek guidance from the Commission, to prepare for a future public hearing. Garage is proposed to be demolished and rebuilt in another area. 80 Bloomfield Street, Applicant, scheduled to have public hearing October 17, wished to get input from the Commission regarding a small bungalow with a small addition in the rear. Scope of work would include roof, vinyl siding to be replace with cedar, and dormers. The Commission advised to get a report from licensed structural engineer and also meet with the Building Commissioner. Town of Lexington Historical Commission Public Hearing Date: September 19, 2013 AGENDA ITEM: Approval of July and August HC Meeting Minutes Approval of July Historical Commission Meeting Minutes (Note: 2 HC members, Mr. Kalsow and Ms. Fenollosa, did not vote because they weren't present at the July HC meeting) MOTION: moved by Ms. Zimmerman, and seconded, to approve the Minutes of July 11, 2013 VOTE: 3 -0 in favor Approval of the August Historical Commission Meeting Minutes (Note: 2 HC members, Mr. Kelland and Mr. Kalsow, did not vote because they weren't present at the August HC meeting) MOTION: moved by Ms. Zimmerman, and seconded, to approve the Minutes of August 8, 2013 VOTE: 3 -0 in favor • ACTION ITEM FOR NEXT MEETING ON OCTOBER 17,2013: Suggestion from HC member to add in the October 17 meeting Agenda: • Instruction for Applicants Expert Report(s) AGENDA ITEM: Adjourn MOTION: moved by Mr. Kalsow, and seconded, to adjourn meeting. VOTE: 5 -0 in favor Meeting adjourned: (Time) 9:47 PM (EST) Respectfully submitted by, Ms. Brenda Tabak 31