HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-15-HC-min RECEIVED
2022 31 Mar, 1220 Ipui °m
MEETING MINUTES TOWN CLERK
December 15" 2021 LEXINGTON MA
Call to Order: A public hearing of the Historical Commission was held remotely through
Zoom. The meeting convened at 7:02PM.
Historical Commission Members in Attendance:
Wendall Kalsow, Acting Chair, Susan Bennett, David Kelland, Diane Pursley and Robert
Rotberg
AGENDA ITEM#1 (7:06PM):
Public hearing regarding the roofline change at 1 Upland Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
Lauren Mitchell, Architect
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
None
DOCUMENT(S):
Existing and proposed elevations dated December 15'h 2021
SUMMARY:
Ms. Mitchell came to the Commission for a hearing back in May and the project was approved.
Due to rising costs the homeowners want to break the project up into two phases. The home is
an 1890's structure that has gone through many additions and renovations. The current project
does not touch the front facade. Ms. Mitchell is proposing a new, smaller shed dormer on the
second floor.
HC COMMENTS:
Ms. Bennett likes the new proposed plans better than the previous proposed plans. Ms. Bennett
asked if the home is located on the corner of the street. Ms. Mitchell said no, the home next door
is on the corner. Mr. Kalsow agreed with Susan and feels the new proposed addition reads much
stronger. 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. Seconded by Mr. Kelland.
VOTE:
4-0 in favor of roofline change: Ms. Bennett, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Pursley and Mr. Kalsow
AGENDA ITEM#2 (7:12PM)
Public hearing regarding the roofline change at 31 Fletcher Avenue
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
Scott Wilkas, Representative
Rebecca Bell, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
David Ogrodnick, 50 Waltham Street
DOCUMENT(S):
Photos of chimney
Photos of water damage inside condo
Power Point presentation regarding the chimney
SUMMARY:
Mr. Wilkas is proposing to remove the chimney at 31 Fletcher Avenue. The chimney was rebuilt
in 2006 to preserve the look of the original structure. The chimney was rebuilt in 2015 due to
leaks. Mr. Wilkas is seeking approval to remove the false chimney from the roof to resolve the
water leaks in ceiling of condo unit 1. The chimney is aesthetic and serves no function or
purpose. Multiple attempts have been made to repair the chimney with no success. Experts have
been brought in to look at the chimney and they also recommend removing the chimney.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission feels the chimney is a historical artifact and feels it should be preserved. The
Commission would like to see a report from an Engineer to see if the issues can be properly
repaired. The Commission also recommended under-flashing the chimney
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
David Ogrodnick, of 50 Waltham Street is the father of Rebecca Bell.
MOTION:
Applicant requested to be continued to the meeting next month. No vote was taken.
AGENDA ITEM#3 (8:12PM)
Public hearing regarding the full building demolition at 37 Preston Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
Joseph Ciampa, Homeowner
David Goldbaum, Preservationist
Gilda Lutz, Realtor
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
Jacob Woodruff, 40 Preston Road
DOCUMENT(S):
Photos of exiting house
Photos of original house
Field card of home
Letter to Commission from former homeowner
SUMMARY:
Mr. Ciampa was unsure why the home is on the inventory and is looking to have the home
removed from the list. The home was built around 1940 as a cape and is now a colonial and a
few additions have been put onto the home.
HC COMMENTS:
Mr. Kelland asked if there is a Form B on this property. Ms. Bennett described the area form.
37 Preston is part of the Lexington Manor and the home is identified as a colonial style, built in
1940. There is no Form B. Ms. Pursley noted there are homes near 37 Preston Road in the
neighborhood also on the historical commission list. Mr. Kalsow said the applicant is welcome to
come back with additional information but the Commission needs more information than the old
photograph in question. Mr. Kalsow encouraged the applicant to do additional research. The
Commission agreed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mr. Woodruff of 40 Preston Road lives next door to 37 Preston Road. The old photograph
shown of 37 Preston Road is not properly represented. The photograph is used for multiple sites
on Zillow and does not believe the home has changed.
Ms. Lutz went over the property field card for 37 Preston road. A dormer was added around
2011.
MOTION:
Moved by Mr. Kelland to find 37 Preston Road preferably preserved and impose a one year
demolition delay expiring December 15'h 2022.
VOTE:
5-0 in favor of demolition delay: Mr. Kelland, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kalsow and Mr.
Rotberg
AGENDA ITEM#4 (8:54PM)
Battle Road Improvements
-Mr. Kalsow told the Commission we are currently waiting for updated plans.
AGENDA ITEM#5 (8:55PM)
Discussion of 9 Audubon Road window changes
-Ms. Halpern, the Architect of 9 Audubon described the proposed changes for 9 Audubon Road.
The homeowners want to change the second window in from the right on the back of the house.
Ms. Fenollosa wanted the Commission to decide if this would need a new formal hearing for the
proposed changes. The Commission felt this would not need a formal hearing and are
comfortable with the proposed window changes.
AGENDA ITEM#6(8:58PM)
Vote representative to the Pierce-Lockwood NCD
-Mr. Doran was the representative and we now need a new Commission member.
Motion: Moved by Mr. Kalsow to nominate Mr. Rotberg as Historical Commission
representative for the Piece-Lockwood NCD. Seconded by Mr. Kelland.
4-0 in favor: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland M. Ms. Bennett and Ms. Pursley
AGENDA ITEM#7 (9:05PM)
12 Summit Road proposed Preservation Restriction
Ms. Vinci went over staff updates regarding 12 Summit Road. The representatives of 12 Summit
Road would like to know from the Commission what they want in the preservation restriction.
Ms. Vinci told the representatives the Commission needs to do a walk through around the
property to know what is there and what is important to preserve. The Commission decided to
form a sub-committee to take part in the walk through. Ms. Fenollosa and Ms. Bennett will be
part of the sub-committee.
AGENDA ITEM#8 (9:11 PM)
Discussion on signs in Lexington
-Mr. Rotberg asked the Commission if we should ask the Town Manager to form a committee to
look at the signage in Lexington. The Commission agreed there should be a committee. Mr.
Rotberg will draft a motion asking the Town Manager to form a committee.
AGENDA ITEM#9 (9:17PM)
Updates
-Ms. Bennett would like to add an agenda item for the meeting next month to discuss the historic
preservation signs in Lexington.
-Mr. Kelland would also like to add an agenda item for the meeting next month to discuss
antique fireboxes in Lexington.
AGENDA ITEM#10 (9:24PM)
Vote to accept meeting minutes dated November 17'h 2021
- Motion made by Mr. Rotberg to approve minutes dated November 17'h 2021. Seconded by Mr.
Kelland
5-0 in favor of approving minutes: Mr. Rotberg, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Pursley and Mr.
Kalsow
AGENDA ITEM#11 (9:26PM)
Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Kelland. Seconded by Ms. Bennett
6-0 favor to adjourn Mr. Kelland, Ms. Bennett, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Rotberg and Mr. Kelland
Adjourn.