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HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES TOWN CLERK
May 19th 2021 LEXINGTON MA
Call to Order: A public hearing of the Historical Commission was held remotely through
Zoom. The meeting convened at 7:03PM.
Historical Commission Members in Attendance:
Marilyn Fenollosa, Chair, Wendall Kalsow, David Kelland, Susan Bennett and Robert Rotberg,
Diane Pursley
AGENDA ITEM#1 (7:08PM)
Continued hearing regarding the partial building demolition and roof line change at 5
Constitution Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
Drew Ton-Morrison, Architect
Rick Ames, Architect
Andrew Grant, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
None
DOCUMENT(S):
Existing and proposed elevations dated 5/19/2021
SUMMARY:
5 Constitution Road was continued from the meeting last month. The Commission felt the
dormer was out of context and scale and there was concern that you could no longer read the
existing massing of the original house. Mr. Ames is proposing to increase the size of the
bedroom that was above the garage and extend the garage since the current size cannot not fit a
car. Mr. Ames described the updated plans for 5 Constitution Road and changes that were made
since the last meeting: dropped the ridge, recessed the gable back from the original house to
show the separation between the old to the new, changed windows, and added divided light.
HC COMMENTS:
Ms. Pursley felt the concerns the Commission discussed at the last meeting have been addressed
and thinks the proposed plans look great. Mr. Kelland feels the windows are better but feels the
addition still swamps the cape. Ms. Bennett felt the applicant was responsive to the
Commission's concerns. She said the site is awkward and the plans are a good solution to the
problem. The Commission agreed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
MOTION:
Moved by Ms. Pursley to find 5 Constitution Road preferably preserved and approve the partial
demolition and roofline change based on the plans dated May 19th 2021 presented to the meeting
tonight. Seconded by Mr. Rotberg
VOTE:
6-0 In favor of partial building demolition and roofline change: Ms. Pursley, Mr. Rotberg, Ms.
Bennett, Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland and Ms. Fenollosa.
AGENDA ITEM#2 (7:27PM)
Public hearing regarding the roofline change at 1 Upland Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
William Erickson, Architect
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
None
DOCUMENT(S):
Existing and proposed elevations dated 5/10/2021
SUMMARY:
Mr. Erickson described the proposed plans at 1 Upland Road. A substantial addition was put on
a few years ago in the back of the house. Mr. Erickson is not looking to expand the footprint of
the home but to build on top of the single story structure addition. Mr. Erickson is also proposing
to add a shed dormer to the back of the house to provide some recreation space and a spare
bedroom.
HC COMMENTS:
Mr. Kelland says the addition seems to fit the general idea of the house and has no objections.
The Commission agreed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
MOTION:
Moved by Ms. Bennett to find the structure at 1 Upland Road preferably preserved and approve
the roofline change based on the plans presented to the meeting dated 5/20/2021. Seconded by
Mr. Rotberg.
VOTE:
6-0 In favor of roofline change: Ms. Bennett, Mr. Rotberg, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kelland, Mr.
Kalsow, and Ms. Fenollosa.
AGENDA ITEM#3 (7:46PM)
Public hearing regarding the roofline change at 225 Waltham Street
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
William Erickson, Architect
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
None
DOCUMENT(S):
Existing and proposed elevations dated 4/21/2021
SUMMARY:
225 Waltham Street is a home and barn which were subdivided, sitting far back from the street.
The proposed work is for the barn structure. Mr. Erickson described the plans at 225 Waltham
Street. The homeowners would like a master bedroom and bathroom on the third floor. LHC is
also to construct a shed dormer off the side of the roof. Replace 3 windows
HC COMMENTS:
Mr. Kelland said the proposal fits with the definition of adaptive reuse and has no objections.
Mr. Kalsow felt it was done nicely in scale. The Commission had no further comments.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
MOTION:
Moved by Mr. Kalsow to find the structure at 225 Waltham Street preferably preserved and
approve the roof line change based on the plans presented to the meeting dated 4/21/2021
Seconded by Mr. Kelland.
VOTE:
6-0 in favor of roofline change: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland, Mr. Rotberg, Ms. Pursley, Ms.
Bennett and Ms. Fenollosa.
AGENDA ITEM#4 (8:05PM)
Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition at 19 Bertwell Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
Keith Xu Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
Pamela Thames, Precinct 7
Benjamin Esty, 4 Ballard Terrace
DOCUMENT(S):
Existing and proposed elevations dated 4/l/2021
Presentation on history and photos of home
SUMMARY:
Mr. Xu came to the Commission previously for a full building demolition. He has decided to
preserve the home and put an addition onto the home. The home is a Dutch Colonial. He is
proposing to construct an addition in the rear of the house with a two car garage. The front of
the home will remain the same. The detached garage will be demolished. The exterior of the
home (trim, shingles and windows)will be replaced.
HC COMMENTS:
Ms. Pursley thanked Mr. Xu for putting together plans to make the current house fit modern
needs. Ms. Pursley asked what materials will the exterior of the home will be replaced with. Mr.
Xu said the windows will be similar but a high quality similar style and shingles would be
replaced with vinyl. Ms. Pursley told Mr. Xu the Commission prefers the siding to be a natural
material. Ms. Bennett was pleased to see that this full building demolition was changed to an
addition and thanked Mr. Xu for taking the Commission's comments into consideration. The
Commission agreed and also expressed their concerns regarding the siding.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
-Ms. Thames thanked Mr. Xu for honoring this style home and proposing an addition in ways
that compliment it.
-Mr. Esty said the plans to triple the house in size and wanted to know if that's ok with the
Commission. Also, there are a lot of dead trees in the yard and wants to know the plan for these.
Mr. Xu said the tree company will be coming soon and the living area will double.
MOTION:
Moved by Mr. Kelland to find the structure at 19 Bertwell Road preferably preserved and
approve the partial building demolition and approve plans presented to the meeting dated
4/l/2021 except any replaced shingles will be made of natural wood material, Anderson 400
series windows are used and no trim on corners. Seconded by Ms. Bennett.
VOTE:
5 in favor of partial building demolition: Mr. Kelland, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Rotberg,
Ms. Fenollosa
AGENDA ITEM# 5 (8:25PM)
Discussion of possible sites for Hosmer House
- The Commission reviewed the list of 17 +potential sites for the Hosmer House, based on the
following considerations:
-Proximity to its current location in the Center;
- Appropriateness of possible locations
- Would the house be out of context based on age, building style, size and massing, and lot
dimensions
- Would the lot be buildable (wetlands or access issues);
- Would placing the house there be an intrusion on the existing streetscape (e.g. entrance to
Belfrey Park or the High School)
- Whether the location would acknowledge the historic importance of the house
Based on these factors, the Commission unanimously agreed that the preferred location would be
the privately-owned lot at 3 Harrington Road, followed by the privately-owned lot at 41 Hancock
Street. Of the town sites, the preferred location was the site on Marrett Road.
A motion was made by Ms. Pursley to advise the Town Manager that the choices for the Hosmer
house are 3 Harrington Road, 41 Hancock Street and then Marrett Road. Seconded by Mr.
Kelland.
In favor of sites: Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kelland, Mr. Rotberg, Ms. Bennett and Ms. Fenollosa
AGENDA ITEM#6 (8:34PM)
Updates
-Update on the Historic Houses Review Study
Ms. Bennett told the Commission the study is moving along. Our Consultant Neil Larson is
coming back for last rounds of visits this weekend. Ms. Fenollosa is working on extending our
contract with a final deadline of September 30th with MHC. We have been provided a sample
form B.
AGENDA ITEM#7 (9:21PM)
Vote to accept meeting minutes dated April 21"2021
- Motion made by Mr. Rotberg to approve minutes dated April 21st 2021 as amended. Seconded
by Ms. Bennett.
5 in favor of approving minutes: Mr. Rotberg, Ms. Bennett, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa and Ms.
Pursley.
AGENDA ITEM#8 (9:22PM)
Motion to adjourn made by Ms. Bennett. Seconded by Mr. Kelland
5-0 favor to adjourn Ms. Bennett, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley and Mr. Rotberg
Adjourn.