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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-19-HC-min HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 19, 2013 Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in the Ellen Stone Room, Cary December 19, 2013 Memorial Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA on . 7:30PM The meeting convened at . Historical Commission Members in Attendance: Mr. Frank Kern, Mr. Wendall Kalsow, Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa Mr. Kern made a motion to appoint Ms. Fenollosa as temporary chairman for the evening and Mr. Kalsow seconded that motion. AGENDA ITEM #1 (Time: 7:32 PM) Public hearing on full building demolition application for 194 Lowell Street APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Mr. Joseph Castelli, homeowner, 194 Lowell Street ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): None SUMMARY: Mr. Castelli explained to the Commission that he would like to demolish the house as he feels the structure is deteriorating. Mr. Castelli stated that the house has the original windows, siding and fieldstone foundation. The applicant told the Commission that he also hoped to replace the windows to increase energy efficiency. Mr. Castelli expressed that the house was originally built for workers and that in his opinion the interior and foundation is inferior to today’s standards. The applicant stated that due to the high costs he felt it would be futile to attempt to preserve the structure. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Fenollosa explained to the applicant that the Commission would require a report from a licensed contractor or structural engineer detailing all the problems of the house. She stated that the house can’t be considered preferably preserved if two conditions are met and will impose a one year demo delay. Mr. Kalsow stated he was not hearing anything that demonstrated the house has a severe physical issue and can not be preserved. Ms. Fenollosa asked Mr. Castelli if he would consider selling the house as is to a buyer that would embrace its historical significance. Ms. Fenollosa read the demolition delay bylaw. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Mr. Kalsow, and seconded, to find the structure preferably preserved and impose a one year demolition delay which will expire on December 19, 2014. VOTE: 3-0 in favor. Town of Lexington Historical Commission Public Hearing Date: December 19, 2013 1 AGENDA ITEM # 2 (Time: 7:47PM) Public Hearing on partial building demolition and roof line change application for 36 Forest Street APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Mr. Dustin Nolin, architect, DNA Architecture LLC, 40 River Street, Boston, Ma 02108. ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Homeowner from 38 Forest Street DOCUMENT(S): Proposed Renovation plans First floor plan A1 Second floor plan A2 Proposed Elevations A3 Proposed Elevations A4 Existing Floor Plans X1 Existing Elevations X2 Plot Plan SUMMARY: Mr. Nolin told the Commission the feedback from the past two informal discussions had been very helpful. Mr. Nolin explained that the issues with the proposed plans that were noted at the previous discussions have been addressed. He continued that the front elevation will remain largely the same and the door was shifted over as noted in elevation 2A3. Mr. Nolin stated that in the left elevation the quad window, formerly the lower rear will now be three windows which are more in style of the house. Another change since the informal discussion is that the plan has adjusted for the windows to include more consistency with head height and window size. Mr. Nolin indicated the finished house will be 3859 square feet; the existing house is now 2255 square feet. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kalsow stated that Mr. Nolin and Mr. Phelan were both very thoughtful and respectful of the historic house. Mr. Kern added that the Town is lucky to have a builder come along to make this a viable house. Mr. Kalsow continued that he felt the proposed changes are appropriate to the historic house. The abutter from 38 Forest Street arrived after the hearing and Ms. Fenollosa discussed the proposed plans and comments from the Commission with him. The abutter left with a set of the proposed plans for 36 Forest Street project. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: moved by Ms. Fenollosa, and seconded, to approve the selective demolition with changes subject to the plans dated December 19, 2013. VOTE: 3-0 AGENDA ITEM # 3 (Time 8:00PM) Approval of the November Historical Commission Meeting Minutes MOTION: moved by Mr. Kern, and seconded, to approve the Minutes of November 21, 2013 with one correction. 2 Town of Lexington Historical Commission Public HearingDate : December 19, 2013 AGENDA ITEM #4 (Time 8:02PM) Communications: Ms. Fenollosa read a letter received by the Commission from the architect responsible for the approved construction project at 47 Woburn Street. Mr. Kern indicated no action would be taken and it was noted that the letter was received and placed in the file. Ms. Fenollosa asked Mr. Kern and Mr. Kalsow for feedback regarding the Community Preservation annual needs assessment report that had been distributed to the Commission. Ms. Fenollosa explained that historic resources projects that come into CPC must have specific needs identified which will add to the case to request the grant. Mr. Kalsow stated he would like to see Secretary Standards applied to projects involving housing funds and preservation funds. Ms. Fenollosa agreed that when historical resources are involved the Secretary Standards must apply. Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the report subject to the discussed changes, and it was seconded. _______________________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA ITEM #5 (Time 8:29PM) Informal discussion of programmatic agreement among Hanscom Air Force Base and the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office, regarding management of historic properties in the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory Historic District at Hanscom Air, Massachusetts. Mr. Kern asked the Commission if they were aware of any programmatic agreement already in place and Ms. Fenollosa asked how to best proceed. Mr. Kalsow indicated he felt requesting a presentation would be appropriate so the Commission would have an opportunity to review. Ms. Fenollosa stated the Commission has thirty days to respond. The Commission asked Mr. Kern to follow up and this discussion will be continued at the January 16, 2014 Historical Commission meeting. Meeting Adjourned: Motion was made by Ms. Fenollosa, and seconded; the meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm. 3