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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-04-HDC-min PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia Minutes of Thursday, December 4, 2014 Selectmen’s Meeting Room 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 7:00 PM Commissioners present: Joe Welch, Lynn Hopkins, Paul Ross, Daniel Griffin and Robert Warshawer Associate Commissioners: Barbara Feldman, and Britta McCarthy. Marilyn Fenollosa arrived just as the hearing was ending. FORMAL HEARINGS 2-4 Wallis Court : Hannah Levine, from Colin Smith Architecture proposed changes including the removal of the existing front deck and construction of new front entry stairs. New stairs will be based on the design of the original stairs, but will be in compliance with current code. Stairs, newel posts and railings will be painted, treads will be stained. Other building changes include the addition of 4 new skylights on the rear of the building. Landscape improvements include a new brick front walkway with two crushed stone side walks, resurfaced asphalt driveways and two new brick terraces. The borders of the walks and driveway will be bordered in cobblestones. A small new stockade fence will be added at the back as well as two post lights. All approved. 24 Hancock Street : Kevin Sargis proposed the addition of two exterior air conditioning condensers on the north side of the property. A copper downspout will conceal all refrigerant piping and associated wiring for the system. All approved. 1963 Massachusetts Avenue : Gillian Ross proposed the addition of a simple black, cast ion railing, similar to ones installed at the Inn at Hastings Park, for her front porch steps. All approved. 35 Hancock Street withdrawn at owner’s request. CONTINUED HEARINGS 21 Muzzey Street : Adam Shuck, of Spacecraft Architecture returned with modifications to the design tentatively approved the previous month. Several options for dormer muntin design were presented. The commission preferred option A, which has a single diamond pane in the center surrounded by four five-sided panes. The same muntin pattern will be used on the windows flanking the entry door. Pilasters were added on the first floor “porch” portion of the building. Half round aluminum gutters will be used on some of the smaller dormers. Paint color of the aluminum and fiberglass gutters will match the rest of the trim on the structure. Dan recused. All others approved. The firm would like to use Pella Endura clad windows instead of the wood windows typically preferred in the district, and will return next week with samples of both options for discussion. At this time the commission has approved the use of wood windows but not clad on this project. 975-977 Massachusetts Avenue canceled at owner’s request. 1875 Massachusetts Avenue : Melisa Tintocalis did not present or attend. 1775 and 1761 Massachusetts Avenue : Melisa Tintocalis did not present or attend. INFORMAL HEARINGS PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia 1009 Massachusetts Avenue: Balam Williemsen, presented window alterations on the rear portion of the house. The commission felt the proposed changes were appropriate and in character with the existing structure. 1364 Massachusetts Avenue : Colin Smith presented a series of design studies to renovate the existing house. Two versions favored by his firm involved rebuilding the roof at a much steeper pitch, changing the ranch style of the original house to something very different. The Commission felt that while those proposed structures were handsome in their own right, they did not respect the character of the original house. Britta and Joe felt that additional study sketches which kept the horizontal lines of the original ranch were a more appropriate strategy. Colin expressed concern that it would be difficult to fit a second floor of sufficient size as determined by the current market standards into an architectural style characterized by a shallow pitched roof. The commission agreed this was a challenge, but felt that the existing house represents a particularly good example of a residential style very important in the mid-century history of Lexington’s development, as should be protected. OTHER BUSINESS Dennis Tremblay of 1949 Massachusetts Avenue spoke to the Commission regarding the proposed public parking along Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Welch explained that this was not an issue for the Historic District Commission. Approve Minutes postponed to next meeting PRIOR TO THE MEETING IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH COMMISSIONER TO VIEW ALL PROPERTIES ON THE AGENDA.