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Home My WebLink About2016-05-05-HDC-min PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Lynn Hopkins, Chair Anne Eccles Britta McCarthy Paul Ross Robert Warshawer Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia MINUTES FOR THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 Selectmen’s Meeting Room 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 7:00 PM Commissioners present: Lynn Hopkins (Chairperson), Anne Eccles, Britta McCarthy, Paul Ross, Robert Warshawer Associate Commissioners: Nancy Shepard, Robin Lovett, and Jon Wardwell, Marilyn Fenollosa arrived late Department Clerk: Francis Dagle FORMAL HEARINGS 7:00 PM 1024 Massachusetts Avenue: Thomas Fenn and Carl Oldenburg, representing Brian O Lavelle, exterior architectural changes in the East Village District. Concerns were raised about massing of the new garage between the existing house and the barn. The eave alignments, height and roof configuration of the addition behind the barn were also of concern.The project as currently designed will require some zoning relief. Concerns were expressed about the height and amount of construction proposed for the site, as well as proximity to the setbacks. After much discussion the project was continued to a later date. Documents Used: Drawings dated 5/5/16 Site Plan 4/15/16 Concept drawings Existing condition photographs 7:05 PM 1775-1787 Massachusetts Avenue: Joseph Trani, John Farrington and Erik Rhodin, representing 1775 Massachusetts Avenue LLC, exterior architectural changes in the Battle Green District. After much discussion the project was continued to a later date. Lynn Hopkins recused herself. Anne Eccles was the acting Chair. Documents Used: Drawings, undated Site Plan, undated Existing elevations, photographs PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Lynn Hopkins, Chair Anne Eccles Britta McCarthy Paul Ross Robert Warshawer Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia 7:10 PM 31 Waltham Street: Heather Dudko, National Sign Corp., representing Lexington Enterprises, signage in the Battle Green District. On a motion duly made and seconded, the alteration was approved unanimously as proposed. Documents Used: Drawings dated 2/04/16 7:15 PM 9 Hancock St: Colin Smith, Colin Smith Architecture, Inc., representing Stephen and Dawn McKenna, exterior architectural changes in the Battle Green District. This property is unique because the Town owns the land and the applicants own the buildings. As a result of this arrangement, the HDC has dual responsibilities: (1) statutory jurisdiction over all exterior alterations visible from a public way plus (2) responsibilities as the Administering Authority named in the Preservation Agreement and as defined by the Town and the Board of Selectmen. The Commission will address each of these responsibilities separately. After much discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the exterior alterations visible from a public way were unanimously approved as presented. Once the HDC’s responsibilities as Administering Authority have been clarified, the Commission will address any additional issues with a separate ruling. Documents Used: Drawings dated 4/19/16 7:20 PM 996 Massachusetts Avenue: Sipra and Atul Jain, demolition in the East Village District. After much discussion, a motion was made and seconded, and the Commission unanimously voted to deny the request for demolition. The Commission encouraged the owners to renovate the property instead. Documents Used: “Application for Demolition of 996 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420” Photographs CONTINUED 23 Bedford St: Steven Connors, chimney changes in the Battle Green District. On a motion duly made and seconded, the Commission unanimously approved and the applicant agreed to extend the chimney and install a stone chimney cap. Photographs and addresses of examples were provided to the applicant by the Commission. Consistent with the HDC guidelines, a metal cage chimney cap was not approved PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Lynn Hopkins, Chair Anne Eccles Britta McCarthy Paul Ross Robert Warshawer Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia Documents Used: “Additional work for Kitchen Remodeling Project at 23 Bedford St” 8 Bedford Street: Brian Sparrow, Sparrow Custom Builders, Inc., representing David and Heather Vital, exterior architectural changes in the Battle Green District. On a motion duly made and seconded, the alteration was unanimously approved as proposed. Documents Used: Drawings dated 5/3/16 “Historical Districts Commission Presentation” 1048 Massachusetts Avenue: Nick Atshartous, exterior architectural changes in the East Village District. On a motion duly made and seconded, the alterations were unanimously approved as proposed. Documents Used: “Proposals for 1048-1050 Mass Ave” Window order sheet dated 12/28/15 6 Oak Street: Howard Bernstein, roofing changes in the East Village District. On a motion duly made and seconded, the alteration was unanimously approved as proposed. Documents Used: Email explanation of circumstances to Chair dated 4/14/16 1625 Massachusetts Avenue: Colin Smith, Colin Smith Architecture, Inc., proposed signage changes in the Battle Green District. On a motion duly made and seconded, the alteration was unanimously approved as proposed in “Option B” sign. Documents Used: Drawing dated 4/6/16 1332 Massachusetts Avenue: Colin Smith, Colin Smith Architecture, Inc., and Susan Bennett, Lexington Historical Society, exterior architectural changes in the Munroe Tavern District. On a motion duly made and seconded, the addition was approved with rear window configuration Scheme C as shown on drawing 3, sheet A3.2. Commissioner Paul Ross recused himself from this hearing Commissioner Marilyn Fenollosa abstained from the formal vote Documents Used: Drawings dated 3/3/16 PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Lynn Hopkins, Chair Anne Eccles Britta McCarthy Paul Ross Robert Warshawer Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia 41 Hancock Street: Nathan Alvarado, Spacecraft Architecture, representing Helene Svahnqvist, exterior architectual changes in the Hancock-Clarke District. Commissioner Jon Wardwell recused himself from this hearing. The applicant presented a number of window configurations. The Commission preferred Option 3, which came the closest to maintaining the character of the existing house. The Commission requested the applicant keep the shutters and maintain the semi-circular arches over the doors and windows. Windows with 6/1 divided lites were deemed acceptable. The applicant will return with an updated scheme. Documents Used: Drawings dated 5/5/16 Drawings dated 5/5/16 INFORMAL 837 Massachusetts Avenue: Craig Sandler, signage changes in the East Village District. After a brief discussion, the applicant agreed to present his proposed sign at a formal hearing. ACTION ITEMS: Center Streetscape update; Ad Hoc committee schedule: Meeting date to be determined. Application Revisions; Update on posting status of revised forms: Will be posted in the near future. Solar guidelines; Update on guidelines progress: Work in progress East Lexington Streetscape improvements; Update on hearing request sent to Engineering: Will be coming for an informal discussion on the June 2, 2016 meeting. Meeting minutes outline; Explanation of proposed template: Postponed to a later date Conflict of interest law clarifications: Meeting with Town Council and all Commissioners to clarify questions regarding recusal will be scheduled in near future. Meeting minute’s approval: Approved with revisions