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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-17-HC-min HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 17th 2021 Call to Order: A public hearing of the Historical Commission was held remotely through Zoom. The meeting convened at 7:01PM Historical Commission Members in Attendance: Marilyn Fenollosa, Chair, David Kelland, Wendall Kalsow, Diane Pursley, Susan Bennett and Robert Rotberg AGENDA ITEM #1 (7:05PM) Continued hearing regarding the roofline change at 456 Concord Avenue APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Rina Okawa, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Proposed plans dated 1/20/2021 SUMMARY: Ms. Okawa walked the Commission through the revised plans for 456 Concord Avenue. Ms. Okawa is proposing three changes: raise the roof, add windows and change the siding to cladding. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kalsow complimented Ms. Okawa for the clarity of her presentation and feels the changes are modest and thoughtful to the historic house. The Commission agreed. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kalsow to find 456 Concord Avenue preferably preserved and approve the proposed partial demolition and roofline change as being sensitive to the historic structure based on the plans presented to the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Kelland VOTE: 6-0 In favor of roofline change: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Pursley, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Fenollosa and Mr. Rotberg AGENDA ITEM #2 (7:20PM) Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition at 162 Maple Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Tracy Sharkey, Architect Justin Keenan, Homeowner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Existing and proposed elevations dated 1/20/2021 Photos of existing structure Plot Plan SUMMARY: Ms. Sharkey described the proposed changes at 162 Maple Street. Ms. Sharkey is proposing to demolish the small screened in porch on the rear of the property and add a two story addition and will be in keeping with the existing home. They will be removing some siding to accommodate the addition. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kalsow asked how far offset the addition will be from the front elevation. Ms. Sharkey said approximately six feet. Ms. Pursley asked if the proposed siding and windows will be matching what is existing. Ms. Sharkey said yes. Mr. Kalsow recommended painting the cedar clapboards to match the existing house. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Ms. Bennett to find 162 Maple Street preferably preserved and approve the partial building demolition based on the plans dated 1/20/2021, modified by the Commission to require matching cedar clapboard siding and wood windows. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow VOTE: In favor of partial building demolition: Ms. Bennett, Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Pursley, Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Rotberg and Mr. Kelland AGENDA ITEM #3 (7:42PM) Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition and roofline change at 3 Revolutionary Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Lana Kirby, Architect George Haddad and Jeanned'arc, Homeowners ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Existing and proposed elevations dated 1/6/2021 Renderings Photos of existing structure Plot Plan SUMMARY: Ms. Kirby is proposing an addition at 3 Revolutionary Road. The home is a Cape Cod style home built in the 1950's. The kitchen is sinking and the garage is too small for one car. The homeowners would like more room for their growing family. HC COMMENTS: The Commission expressed concerns regarding the massing of the proposed addition and the height of the garage. Mr. Haddad said a lot of similar homes in the neighborhood have been torn down and large mansions have been built but they really want to preserve the home. Ms. Pursley praised the owners for trying to preserve the home. Ms. Kirby showed the Commission an alternate plan which the Commission felt was more in keeping with the historic house. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Ms. Pursley to find 3 Revolutionary Road preferably preserved and approve the partial demolition based on the second design dated 1/6/2021 reviewed by the Commission in the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Rotberg VOTE: 6-0 In favor of partial building demolition and roofline change: Ms. Pursley, Mr. Rotberg, Ms. Bennett, Mr. Kelland, Mr. Kalsow and Ms. Fenollosa AGENDA ITEM #4 (8:31PM) Public hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 12 Summit Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Michael Novak, Engineer Frederick Gilgun, Attorney Ozan Dokmecioglu, Homeowner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Pauline Samuelsen 5 Pinewood Street William Widnall, 22 Summit Road Laura Lewis, 9 Summit Road Epp Sonin, 104 Follen Road Elena Brant, 33 Summit Road DOCUMENT(S): None SUMMARY: Mr. Novak will be bringing sketch plans to the Planning Board and hopes to make bonafide efforts to preserve the structure. He wants to start the clock on the demolition delay in the event they are unsuccessful in preserving the structure. Mr. Novak hopes to provide sketch plans to the Planning Board April 1st and will let the neighborhood know in advance. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Fenollosa went over a brief summary of the architectural significance of the home at 12 Summit Road. Ms. Bennett was encouraged to hear that there will be an effort made to preserve the house. The Commission agreed with Ms. Bennett. PUBLIC COMMENTS: -Ms. Samuelsen would like to hear the thoughts of the Commission on the proposed plan to change it into three or four units. Ms. Fenollosa explained this is not in the jurisdiction of the Commission. -Mr. Widnall expressed concerns regarding the proposed demolition at 12 Summit Road. Mr. Widnall would like the neighbors to be able to see proposed plans. Mr. Widnall would much prefer to see a plan for a site sensitive development. -Ms. Lewis said there is beautiful gardens and unique landscape on the property and wanted to know if this would factor into the Historical Commissions Decision. Ms. Fenollosa said yes the landscape is taken into account. -Ms. Sonin wanted clarification if the home is being taken down or preserved and if the Commission will vote. Ms. Fenollosa said the Commission will either approve the demolition or impose a one year demolition delay. -Ms. Brant clarified the neighborhood did not support the idea of demolition. MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kelland find 12 Summit Road preferably preserved and impose a one year demolition delay expiring 2/17/2022. Seconded by Ms. Pursley VOTE: 5 In favor of imposing demolition delay: Mr. Kelland, Ms. Pursley, Ms. Bennett, Mr. Rotberg and Ms. Fenollosa with 1 recusal- Mr. Kalsow. AGENDA ITEM # 5 (9:19PM) Public hearing regarding the full building demolition at 116 Woburn Street. APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Ernest Rogers, Homeowner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Structural Engineer Letter Proposed elevations dated 2/8/2021 SUMMARY: Mr. Rogers is the homeowner of 116 Woburn Street, The home was built in the 1880's with a few additions added over the years. The floors are uneven and ceiling heights are substandard. Mr. Rogers feels it would be cost prohibitive to fix the problems in the home. Mr. Rogers is planning to build a single family home. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kalsow feels the Structural Engineer report is lacking in anything definitive. Ms. Fenollosa said we need substantial evidence that the building cannot be preserved. Mr. Kelland said the home is a historic structure with historic value and is on our list for a reason and this letter is not a reason to demolish the home. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kelland find 116 Woburn Street preferably preserved and impose a one year demolition delay expiring 2/17/2022. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow VOTE: 6-0 In favor of imposing demolition delay: Mr. Kelland, Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Pursley, Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Bennett and Mr. Rotberg AGENDA ITEM #6 (9:35PM) Vote to support Planning Board Warrant Article 39 -Amend Zoning Bylaw- Historic Preservation Incentives -Ms. Fenollosa went over updates on the Planning Board Warrant Article. The Planning Board has decided to re-write the section. The new language has been changed and now states: "6.2.4.3 for relocation of buildings, structures and elements to another location, no other preservation measures are practical or reasonable on the existing site". The Commission feels the wording is still relatively narrow and would like to go back to the Planning Board with revisions. -A motion made by Mr. Kalsow to support the updates provided they make the changes made by the Historical Commission. Seconded by Ms. Pursley. 6-0 In favor: Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Pursley, Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kelland, Mr. Rotberg and Ms. Bennett AGENDA ITEM #7 (9:53PM) Update on Hosmer House - possible vote to send letter of support to SB -Ms. Fenollosa is on a committee to help decide what to do with the Hosmer House. The current plan is to issue and RFP for the sale of the house subject to a preservation restriction agreement. There is discussion to move the house to the spot on the green where there is an empty lot. AGENDA ITEM #8 (10:14PM) Vote to appoint member for the Pierce-Lockwood Conservation District Commission -The Commission will appoint a member at the next meeting AGENDA ITEM #9 (10:15PM) Vote to approve comment letter for Hanscom project Mr. Kalsow wrote a letter to MHC asking that the Commission be consulted if there are plans to remove any vegetation and to continue to be included in the process as plans progress. A motion made by Ms. Pursley to approve the letter to MHC. Seconded by Ms. Bennett 6-0 In favor of letter: Ms. Pursley, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kelland, Mr. Kalsow, and Mr. Rotberg AGENDA ITEM #10 (10:19PM) Updates -Ms. Fenollosa and Ms. Vinci are working to update the Historical Commission website. -The Historical Society contacted Ms. Fenollosa because they would like to have Munroe Tavern a National Historic Landmark. -The Zoning Board of Appeals denied the plans at 18 Winthrop Road. It will be going back to zoning end of the month with revised plans. -Mr. Larson will be coming back in March to do the full study. -Mr. Doran is no longer on the Commission. Ms. Bennett, Ms. Flynn or Mr. Rotberg will be contacted if they are interested in becoming a full member of the Commission. AGENDA ITEM #12 (10:27PM) Vote to accept meeting minutes dated January 20'h 2021 - Motion made by Mr. Rotberg to approve minutes dated December 16'h 2020. Seconded by Ms. Pursley 6-0 in favor of approving minutes: Mr. Rotberg, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kelland, Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Bennett and Ms. Fenollosa AGENDA ITEM #13 (10:26PM) Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Kalsow. Seconded by Ms. Bennett 6-0 favor to adjourn Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Bennett Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Rotberg and Ms. Pursley Adjourn.