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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-15-HC-min Lexington Historical Commission Meeting Minutes February 15, 2023 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Commissioners Present: Susan Bennett, Chair, Diane Pursley, Marilyn Fenollosa, David Kelland. Commissioner Absent: Wendall Kalsow. Associate Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg. Associate Commissioner Absent: Staff Present: Siqing Pan, Department Assistant th Chair Susan Bennett called the February 15 Historic Commission meeting to order at 7:13 pm. AGENDA ITEM #1 (7:14pm): Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition at 10 Paul Revere Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Mark Iacocca, Architect Maria Correa, Builder ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner Letter: dated December 28, 2022 Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated December 28, 2022 Photos of existing structure: dated December 28, 2022 SUMMARY: Mark Iacocca, architect, explained the proposed partial demolition plans and stated the historical arch of the house will be kept and existing structure will be preserved. The Commission reviewed and approved the proposed plans. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Rotberg stated he supported the proposed plans. Ms. Fenollosa said the proposed large house will be much bigger than the existing house. She stated the design was fine to her. Mr. Kelland stated it is overwhelming that the new garage addition will be higher than the original house. Ms. Pursley inquired about the square footage of the proposed house versus the original house. Ms. Bennett said she was very relieved and gratified that the existing house will be preserved admittedly. MOTION: 1 / 6 Ms. Pursley made a motion that 10 Paul Revere Road is preferably preserved and approve the plans th presented during the meeting on February 15, 2023. Mr. Rotberg seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #2 (7:26pm): Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition and roof line change at 28 Sherman Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Williams Erickson, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner Letter: dated January 7, 2023 Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated January 7, 2023 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resource Survey: dated January 7, 2023 Photos of existing structure: dated January 7, 2023 Site Survey: dated January 7, 2023 GFA form revised 12-17-20: dated January 7, 2023 First and Second Floor Plans: dated January 7, 2023 SUMMARY: William Erickson, architect, explained the proposed demolition two minor wings of the existing structure and construct an addition including a new one car garage with family room above. The existing vinyl siding will be stripped to the sheeting with insulation, an air barrier, and new cement board clapboard and wood trim will also be installed to restore the façade. The Commission reviewed and approved the proposed plans. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Pursley stated the plans look great. Mr. Kelland stated the proposed plans are within the scale of the house. It will not destroy the looking at Sherman Street. Ms. Fenollosa agreed that it is an elegant design. She will be delighted that the vinyl siding could be taken off. 2 / 6 Mr. Rotberg and Ms. Bennett also agreed that is perfect design. MOTION: Mr. Rotberg made s motion that 28 Sherman Street is preferably preserved and approve the plans th presented during the meeting on February 15, 2023. Mr. Kelland seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #3 (7:40pm): Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition at 11-17 Linc Cole Ln (Old address: 69 Pleasant Street) APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Thomas Cataldo, Owner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Elliott Alexandra, 24 Swan Lane, on behalf of the entire Moon Hill Community, requested a motion to stay the demolition. She complained her entire property has been blasted. Her windows shake every time when it gets blasted. The trees around 11-17 Linc Cole Ln all gone. Alvaro Amorrortu, 9 White Pine Ln, also complained about the blasting issue potentially damaged the houses around that property. He expressed his opposition to the demolition plans. He suggested the Historical Commission should reach out to Building Department and Engineering Office regarding on the historical house preservation. David Alexandra, 24 Swan Lane, request Mr. Cataldo’s respond to the blasting issue. Lee Noel Chase, serving on the Historic Districts Commission, expressed her concerns on this visible landmark house. She encouraged Historical Commission to review all aspects of this project and consider to issue a demolition delay to protect the building. Larry Berkowitz, 32 Moon Hill Rd, also expressed his concern on this blasting issue to keep the house intact. DOCUMENT(S): Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated January 13, 2023 SUMMARY: Thomas Cataldo, homeowner, explained the proposed drawings of renovation and addition to existing structure. He requested to continue this application to March meeting. The Commission reviewed and agreed to continue this hearing to March meeting. HC COMMENTS: 3 / 6 Ms. Bennett inquired the windows materials of proposed front elevation. Ms. Fenollosa stated she preferred the wood windows. The changes of front elevation and vinyl siding were not favorable. She stated she will not support the changes if siding of the whole house will be taken off and replaced with Azek siding or Hardie Board siding. She expressed the plans were difficult to interpret and the proposed siding with artificial materials will totally change the character of this house. Ms. Pursley inquired about the square footage of the current house and how much square footage will be proposed to add. And will the new siding match the existing house in the same white color? Mr. Rotberg inquired the reason for expanding the house. He requested a clear drawing for this application. He suggested to postpone this application until a better drawing/plan submitted. Mr. Kelland stated a single-pane wood windows with storm windows are also energy efficient. The double-pane window in the beginning do save some energy, but in the long run it will cost more money than single-panel window, which are part of a historic house and should be preserved. Ms. Bennett agreed with Mr. Kelland’s comments about the window. Wood windows should be preserved for the old historic house. Ms. Bennett stated it would be better to work with the existing windows and the existing cladding on the existing house, even if there will be a different proposed treatment on the addition. Ms. Bennett stated the complained blasting issue was out of Historical Commission’s jurisdiction. She encouraged the abutters who are concerned about the blasting need to talk to the Engineering Office or Building Department. Mr. Rotberg considered to postpone this application until May to see if blasting has made any damage. MOTION: Mr. Rotberg made s motion to table this application in May until a better drawing/plan submitted. Mr. Kelland seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – No, Ms. Pursley – No, Ms. Bennett – No. Motion carried 2 to 3. AGENDA ITEM #4 (8:25pm): Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition and roof line change at 33 Bloomfield Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Deb Kupka, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): 4 / 6 Addendum Submittal – New Front Elevation: dated February 6, 2023 McDonald Neighborhood Context: dated February 3, 2023 SUMMARY: Deb Kupka, architect, explained the updated proposed changes that demolition existing two-story porch at west side, construct a new two-story addition at the west side, add new front porch and dormer above the front entry, and add new deck at the rear. The Commission reviewed and approved the updated proposed plans. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Pursley stated the design with front elevation was great. Mr. Rotberg, Mr. Kelland and Ms. Fenollosa stated the updated design was much better than before. Mr. Rotberg hoped the neighborhood would use the swimming pool. Ms. Bennett agreed this updated proposed plan was appropriate. MOTION: Ms. Pursley made a motion that 33 Bloomfield Street is preferably preserved and approve the plans th presented during the meeting on February 15, 2023. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #5 (8:34pm): The Battle Road – 2A Project SUMMARY: Mr. Kelland introduced the Battle Road – 2A Project. The commission suggested to write a letter to support the Concord Historical Commission and National Park, and request that the Section 106 process continue so that adverse effects to Minute Man National Historical Park and its setting can be reduced, th mitigated or eliminated. Ms. Bennett will draft the letter and send out on Friday, February 17, 2023. Ms. Bennett decided to responding to FHWA’s proposed Section 106 Determination of No Adverse Effect regarding the Route 2A Roadway Resurfacing and Related Improvements Project (Mass DOT Project #608495). The commission requested that the Section 106 process continue so that adverse effects to Minute Man National Historical Park and its setting can be reduced, mitigated or eliminated. 5 / 6 HC COMMENTS: Ms. Fenollosa suggested that instead of supporting Concord Historical Commission, support the National Park because they have a more detailed and newer letter. Mr. Rotberg suggested to send the signed support letter to Lexington Observer as long as it is a public document. Mr. Kelland suggested to encourage the participation of the Senator and Congress people on this project. AGENDA ITEM #6 (8:43pm): Hansom North Airfield Project and Review SUMMARY: Ms. Fenollosa briefly introduced the Hansom North Airfield Project. The commissioners follow up the Article 25 – Amend the general bylaws – Demolition Delay. The Article 25 will be discussed and voted at Town Meeting in March 2023. The commissioners also follow up the relocation and renovation of Hosmer House. Ms. Bennett stated expressed she was very disturbed by the treatment of the Hosmer House. The commissioners all agreed that the preservation agreement has been violated. Ms. Bennett will contact Town Manager Jim Malloy and Select Board to express her concerns. AGENDA ITEM #7 (9:00pm): Approval of meeting minutes th Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the minutes on January 18, 2023 as written. Mr. Kelland seconded. Motion carried 4 to 0 with Ms. Pursley abstained. All in favor. The Commissioners all agreed to move all meeting time to Third Thursday since May 2023 at 7:00pm. AGENDA ITEM #8: Adjourn Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn at 9:08pm. Ms. Fenollosa seconded. Motion carried. All in favor. 6 / 6