HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-19-HC-minLexington Historical Commission
MEETING MINUTES
October 19, 2022
Call to Order: A public hearing of the Historical Commission was held remotely through Zoom.
The meeting convened at 7:01 PM.
Historical Commission Members in Attendance:
Susan Bennett, Chair, Wendall Kalsow, Marilyn Fenollosa, David Kelland and Robert Rotberg
(left at 7:45 PM)
Absent: Diane Pursley
Staff present; Lorraine Welch, Office Manager; Siqing Pan, Department Assistant
AGENDA ITEM #1 (7:03):
Introduction of new staff
SUMMARY:
Introduced new administrative staff. Andrea Vinci has accepted a part time role with the IT
department. Siqing Pan, who currently staffs Historic Districts Commission, will work the
Historical Commission.
HC COMMENTS:
The Board members welcomed Ms. Pan.
AGENDA ITEM #2 (7:05 PM)
Vote on inclusion of 69 Pleasant Street to the Cultural Resources Inventory
DOCUMENT(S):
Form B of 69 Pleasant Street
APPLICANT(S) PRESENT
None
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT
None
SUMMARY:
The Board is considering the inclusion of 69 Pleasant Street in the Cultural Resources Inventory.
This is a structure that has recently been approved by the Planning Board for a Special Permit.
.
HC COMMENTS:
Ms. Fenollosa believes adding this structure to the inventory is appropriate due to its age, style,
architectural and historical significance. Ms. Pursley did a great job writing the Form B. The
Board all agrees with Ms. Fenollosa.
MOTION:
Motion made by Ms. Fenollosa, and seconded by Mr. Kalsow, to include existing house at 69
Pleasant Street to the Cultural Resources Inventory.
Board agreed they would keep hearing open due to lack of comments from the Public. Moved to
next agenda item.
AGENDA ITEM #3:
Hosmer House update
DOCUMENTS:
Revised Driveway Proposal 39&43 Blossomcrest Street
Subdivision-Special Permit Plan
SUMMARY:
Ms. Bennett explained that the Hosmer House has been to the Zoning Board of Appeals and will
be going to the Planning Board tonight to receive permission for the relocation of the Hosmer
House. There are no architectural plans yet but we will review once they are available.
AGENDA ITEM #2
Ms. Bennet redirected the Commission back to Previous Agenda Item (Vote on inclusion of 69
Pleasant Street to the Cultural Resources Inventory) as a member of the public is now available
for comment.
Mr. Cataldo, holder of the Special Permit for 69 Pleasant Street, was unable to join the meeting
earlier because of technical difficulties. He opposes the inclusion of the structure at 69 Pleasant
Street in the Inventory as he does not believe it is historic and believes the granting of the Special
Permit conditions supersedes adding it to the Inventory. He requested a new hearing on the issue.
MOTION:
Motion made by Ms. Fenollosa, and seconded by Mr. Kalsow, to re-open the hearing on the
inclusion of the existing house at 69 Pleasant Street in the Cultural Resources Inventory.
VOTE:
David Kelland; yes
Robert Rotberg: yes
Wendall Kalsow: yes
Marilyn Fenollosa: yes
Susan Bennett, Chair: yes
MOTION:
Motion made by Ms. Fenollosa, and seconded by Mr. Kalsow, to include existing house at 69
Pleasant Street to the Cultural Resources Inventory.
VOTE:
David Kelland; yes
Robert Rotberg: yes
Wendall Kalsow: yes
Marilyn Fenollosa: yes
Susan Bennett, Chair: yes
AGENDA ITEM # 4
Expanded demolition delay by-law
SUMMARY:
The Board discussed the potential of expanding the demolition delay by-law through Town
Meeting.
HC COMMENTS:
Ms. Bennett stated she wants to start the conversation of altering the demolition delay bylaw at
Town Meeting. She emphasized that she does not have the bandwidth to take on the task but
would be open to have someone else do the work behind it.
Mr. Kalsow believes the current 12-month delay is not effective as the value of real estate has
increased. He feels a longer delay period should be considered. He stated he would be in favor of
expanding the definition of substantial demolition to include language that addresses the massing
at front of property lines. Ms. Fenollosa states any new construction that compromises the integrity
of the historic structure should be reviewed.
Mr. Rotberg would like to see a 24-month delay but realized 18 months will be more acceptable.
M. Bennett believes the town is pro development and Town Meeting members tend to be leery of
restrictions. It will be cleaner to request extension of the period of demo delay to 18 months.
Robert Rotberg agreed to take the lead on this issue for the Commission.
MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Kalsow made a motion to adjourn at 7:40pm. Seconded by Ms. Bennet. Motion carried.
All in favor.