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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-15-HC-min Lexington Historical Commission Meeting Minutes March 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 March 15 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:00 pm. AGENDA ITEM #1: Demolition Delay Bylaw SUMMARY: Mr. Rotberg introduced the Article 25 – Amend the General Bylaws – Demolition Delay for vote at Town Meeting 2023 for further discussion. Town Meeting will vote to amend Chapter 19 of the General Bylaw of the Town of Lexington (Article 25) by changing the current demolition delay requirements for buildings listed as “historically significant”, from twelve (12) months to twenty-one (21) months; or act in any manner in relation thereto. The proposed amendment is “That Section 19-3(3)(F)(3)(Buildings, Demolition of) of the Code of the Town of Lexington be amended by striking the figure “12” and substituting therefor “21”, and adding the following at the end of this subsection: “provided that if the requested demolition permit is for a lot which has received site plan approval, a special permit or a building permit for the creation of Multifamily Housing or Inclusionary Dwelling Units as defined in Chapter 135-10.1, said period shall be reduced to 12 months.”; and further that non-substantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw be permitted in order that it be in compliance with the numbering format of the Code of the Town Lexington.” Mr. Kelland stated that builders should comply with the demolition delay bylaw, and it is not necessary to have the newly proposed amendment on affordable housing because any builder can come back to the Commission at any time during the 21 months to request a shorter period upon presentation of appropriate evidence. He stated that the amendment will encourage the demolition of historic houses, because a builder would see multiple dwelling housing development as a way to overcome the problem of the 21-month delay. He suggested that Historical Commission should oppose the amendment. Ms. Pursley and Ms. Fenollosa reiterated the purpose of demolition delay bylaw. Ms. Fenollosa stated her belief that it was not appropriate to have that amendment. Ms. Bennett stated that she would accept this amendment if the 21-month demolition bylaw could be approved. MOTION: 1 / 5 Ms. Fenollosa made a motion that the Commission oppose the proposed amendment to extend to grant relief from 21 months’ to 12 months’ demolition delay, in the case of developers planning to create Multifamily Housing or Inclusionary Dwelling Units. Mr. Kelland seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Ms. Bennett – abstain. Motion carried 4 to 0 with 1 abstention. AGENDA ITEM #2: Public hearing regarding the partial building demolition at 11-17 Linc Cole Ln (Old address: 69 Pleasant Street) APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Thomas Cataldo, Owner Sally DeGan, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): Updated Proposed Elevations: dated March 6, 2023 SUMMARY: Sally DeGan and Thomas Cataldo, Architect and Owner, explained the updated drawings of partial building demolition to the existing structure at 11-17 Linc Cole Ln. The Commission reviewed and agreed to impose a one-year demolition delay to the partial building demolition and addition of this property. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Bennett asked that whether the clapboards and windows on the existing house will be replaced or not. Ms. Pursley inquired as to what will be preserved from the old house to the renovated house. Mr. Kelland and Ms. Fenollosa stated that the destruction of the clapboards and windows would violate the principles of restoration. The existing painting and clapboards look in good shape. Mr. Kelland encouraged that this house could be maintained and preserved by a homeowner who respects its historic character. Mr. Rotberg inquired as to what will be left of this building and why it is useful to add additions to the building. Ms. Bennett stated that the proposed partial demolition of the house was not necessary when looking closely at the features of the house, and it would meet the definition of substantial demolition. She recommended that the applicant retain the existing windows, clapboards, and trim. 2 / 5 MOTION: Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to find that the house at 11-17 Linc Cole Ln is preferably preserved and to impose a 12-month demolition delay. Mr. Rotberg seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #3: Public hearing regarding the full building demolition at 1 Malt Ln APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Mary Nguyen, Owner Leon Cao, Owner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: DOCUMENT(S): Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated January 27, 2023 Individual Building Form B from the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated January 27, 2023 Photos of existing structure: dated January 27, 2023 Photos of original structure: dated January 27, 2023 Proposed new construction plan: dated January 27, 2023 SUMMARY: Mary Nguyen and Leon Cao, homeowners, explained their proposed full demolition and plans to build a new single-family house at 1 Malt Ln. The Commission reviewed the proposed full demolition plans and agreed to impose a one-year demolition delay to the demolition of this property. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: The Commission agreed that this property was historically significant and the proposed full demolition plans were inappropriate. MOTION: 3 / 5 Ms. Pursley made a motion to find that the house at 1 Malt Ln is preferably preserved and to impose a 12-month demolition delay. Mr. Kelland seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Ms. Pursley – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. AGENDA ITEM #4: Hosmer House SUMMARY: The Commission reviewed the proposed windows replacement plans submitted by the owner of the Hosmer House. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kelland stated that the Hosmer House no longer exists. Ms. Fenollosa stated that the owner should put the windows back, since they promised to retain the historic elements. Ms. Pursley stated that the stop work order should be left in place until all elements of the proposed reconstruction are agreed with Historical Commission. She suggested that it should be reviewed by a professional historical preservation consultant. Mr. Rotberg stated that the stop work order should not be lifted until the Historical Commission was satisfied. He pointed out that Historical Commission should not do anything until a complete plan was totally agreed upon for the complete reconstruction. Ms. Bennett recommended that the Historical Commission should provide feedback to the builder for better understanding the project. She also suggested to ask Building Commissioner to impose fines before any kind of appeals are made. Mr. Kelland suggested and Ms. Bennett agreed to wait until the original elements are restored. If that cannot be achieved, the Town should move forward with the imposition of penalties. AGENDA ITEM #5: Approval of meeting minutes th Mr. Rotberg made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting on February 15, 2023 as written. Ms. Pursley seconded. Motion carried. All in favor. nd Mr. Rotberg made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting on March 2, 2023 as written. Mr. Kelland seconded. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #6: Discussion on meeting calendar 2023 4 / 5 The Commission agreed to move all meetings back to the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm. AGENDA ITEM #7: Adjourn Mr. Kelland made a motion to adjourn at 8:43pm. Ms. Pursley seconded. Motion carried. All in favor. 5 / 5