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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