HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-21-HC-min
HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
May 21, 2014
Call to Order:
A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in Cary Hall at the Ellen Stone
May 21, 2014
Room, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA on .
7:30PM
The meeting convened at .
Historical Commission Members in Attendance:
Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, Ms. Sally Zimmerman, Mr. Wendall Kalsow and Mr. David Kelland, Chair.
AGENDA ITEM #1
(Time: 7:31pm)
Informal discussion on proposed roof line change at 59 Gleason Road
SUMMARY:
Mr. Chris Barry, CJB Architects, and Mrs. Teresa Gavin, homeowner, discussed the proposed renovation
and addition on the existing house at 59 Gleason Road. Mr. Barry explained the proposed renovation would
require the removal of the roof of the existing house. Ms. Gavin stated the premise of the project is to save
the first floor. She continued in order to meet financial constraints, the entire kitchen must remain as
existing. Mr. Barry explained the existing steep stair to both the basement and second floor will be replaced
with a new code complying stair. Mr. Barry continued that this work is necessitated by the client’s desire
to have a safer connection between the different floor levels for their children. He added that from a design
perspective, this also creates a plan more similar to a center entry colonial. The finishes of the existing first
floor are to remain except for the hardwood floors in the living room. Mr. Barry explained that the siding
will be replaced with a wood clapboard as existing. A colonial theme of similar scale to the existing is
carried around the addition, unifying the home. Mr. Kelland noted the proposed plan clearly falls under the
definition of substantial demo and will require a public hearing. Mr.Kalsow added that for the formal
hearing the Commission would require existing elevations next to proposed and existing floor plans next to
proposed floor plans. Ms. Zimmerman suggested to Mr. Barry that he review the book “Sears Small Houses
of the 1930s” by Dover Publications. Ms. Fenollosa asked Mr. Barry if he were replacing all the windows
and adding an entry porch. Mr. Kalsow asked if Mr. Barry were planning on raising the house. Mr. Barry
explained that his plan included keeping the entire existing first floor and must maintain existing finishes on
the first floor to meet the budget. Mr. Barry added that the ceilings are six feet eight inches and the
homeowner is six feet three inches. He continued that the existing second floor is not meeting the long term
needs of the family. Mr. Kelland suggested Mr. Barry and Mrs. Gavin return for a formal hearing in June.
Mr. Kalsow added that a letter from a structural engineer should also be included in the applicant’s
application.
AGENDA ITEM # 2 (7:51PM)
Informal discussion on proposed renovations of 34 Moon Hill
SUMMARY:
Ms. Margaux Fischer of Charles Rose Architects explained to the Commission that the proposed
renovations at 34 Moon Hill would adapt to the spirit of the house. Ms. Fischer continued that the idea was
to rehabilitate the house to comfortable standards which would include some formal stairs that meet current
code. She added that the plan would also not preserve the spiral stair. Ms. Fischer stated that she has met
with the Moon Hill Planning Committee. Ms. Fischer explained the plan would include fitting a staircase
and butterfly roof and would also address the six foot eight inch ceilings. She told the Historical
Commission that the current heat is radiant and pipes have rusted and leaked. She stated she would expect
to need to remove walls and floors due to the water damage. Ms. Fischer continued that the plan was not
proposing to expand the scale of the building and that all windows would be replaced. She stressed that the
1
plan would try to maintain the original influence. Mr. Kalsow complimented Ms. Fischer on the
thoroughness of the proposal and continued that it was refreshing to see the history and understanding of the
house well prepared. He noted the proposed plan is very respectful to the house in terms of changes and
they are appropriate to the structure. Mr. Kelland added the major issue is the change in the roof and
elevations. Ms. Zimmerman stated the plan was worked out at a careful level. Ms. Fischer indicated that
these are the initial stages and the renderings are not detailed yet.Ms. Zimmerman suggested Ms. Fischer
look at the kitchen counter wall and consider retaining that wall as open; she also suggested photo
documenting the interior prior to commencing work and donating the images to the MIT Special
Collections. Mr. Kalsow noted how far from the north façade the screen fence is. He stated Ms. Fischer
should return with a drawing showing the façade of the house window changes as it is not so obvious with
the screen. Ms. Fenollosa explained that the Commission has completed a National Register listing for
modern houses in Lexington and is in the process of nominating Moon Hill as an NR district.
Town of Lexington Historical Commission May 21, 2014
AGENDA ITEM #3 (8:08PM)
Informal discussion on proposed plan for 41 Bloomfield
SUMMARY:
Mr. Dustin Nolan, Mr. Jason Brickman and Mr. Jon Wardwell explained that the house at 41 Bloomfield is
run down and the exterior and interior needs attention. Mr. Nolan stated there is currently a matching
carriage barn on the property. Mr. Nolan continued the proposed plan would include a second floor space
over the garage, mudroom, and family room. He stated the main box of the house will not be altered and the
new garage ridge height will be lower than the existing ridge height of the house. Mr. Nolan included the
plan would not impact the gable. Mr. Kelland asked what would happen to the existing barn. Mr. Nolan
answered he was unsure how the existing barn would fit into the proposed plan. He continued it may need
to be demolished. Mr. Wardwell added the barn now has structural problems. He stated that the plan would
include reusing the floor boards and beams in the interior of the house. Mr. Nolan explained the barn is
eighteen feet deep and not suited for present day vehicles. Mr. Kalsow asked if Mr. Nolan had considered
moving the barn slightly forward. Mr. Nolan answered that in order to reuse as a garage the rear wall would
need to be removed and the amount of work was cost prohibited. Mr. Wardwell explained that the plan
would include recreating all the details and keeping the siding, replacing the windows with simulated
divided lights and changing the porch to authentic details. Mr. Nolan stressed that they are not trying to
stylistically change. Mr. Kelland added he applauded the fact that the roofline of the garage is lower than
the roofline of the house. Ms. Zimmerman commented that she was pleased the plan would not include
stripping the house and continued that Bloomfield is the Town’s most intact and architecturally distinctive
Queen Anne Street. She also stated that the loss of the carriage barn would be a major loss. Mr. Kalsow
noted the scale of the addition is very large. Ms. Zimmerman added that historically carriage barns were not
attached to the house. Mr. Kalsow stated the plan should make the addition more compatible in scale with
the house. Ms. Zimmerman suggested Mr. Nolan visit the Historical Society and look for images of the
original porch, which has been altered. If those are not available, she would help him locate models from
which to develop the replacement porch.
AGENDA ITEM #4 (8:52PM)
Welcome Fred Lonardo, Lexington Building Commissioner
SUMMARY:
.
The Commission welcomed Fred Lonardo, the new Lexington Building CommissionerMr. Lonardo told
the Commission his mission is to improve customer service and is looking forward to working with them in
the future.
2
Town of Lexington Historical Commission May 21, 2014
AGENDA ITEM #5 (9:28PM)
CPA Grant discussion related to documenting all the priority properties in the Inventory
SUMMARY:
Ms. Fenollosa updated the Commission on the availability of funds and process of getting out the RFP for
the expenses relating to documenting all the priority properties in the Inventory. Ms. Zimmerman added
that it would be a great help to have the GIS layer completed to continue to documenting priority properties
in the Inventory. Ms. Zimmerman and Ms. Fenollosa stated what would located a word version of a RFP
and Mr. Kalsow stated he was happy to offer an editing piece. Ms. Fenollosa added she would coordinate
with Karen Mullins regarding the procurement process.
Approval of March 19, 2014 Historical Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION:
moved by Mr. Kelland, and seconded, to approve the Minutes of March 19, 2014 with one
correction
VOTE:
3-0 in favor
Approval of April 16, 2014 Historical Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION:
moved by Mr. Kelland, and seconded, to approve the Minutes of April 16, 2014 as amended
VOTE:
3-0 in favor
Meeting adjourned
: (Time) 9:59pm (EST)
3