HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-03-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Notes from Wednesday May 3. 2000 Historic Districts Commission Hearing on the Cary Memorial
Library Project. (Although posted by the PBC, this was a meeting of the HDC.)
PBC Members present: Peter Kelley Walter Pierce (arrived about 8 p.m.),Philip Poinelli, Mary
Lou Touart.
HDC Members sitting Chairman Joann Gschwendtner, Ian Adamson, Jeffrey Denziak,Mark
DiNapoli, Daniel Griffin and Lynn Hopkins, with Lynne Pease serving as Secretary
Among others present were architects Stephen Hale and Melissa Bennett, Members of the Library
Trustees, including Rev Peter Meek and Selectman Betty Eddison; Jewel Douglass, Audrey Friend,
Isabel Jankelson, Jacqueline Davison, Marjorie Battin, Julie Triessl and others.
Philip Poinelli was the principal presenter on behalf of the project, with contributions of
information from architect Hale. On view were renderings of each building elevation, one featuring
the restoration of the original-style main entrance and a site plan. The Clarke Street west elevation
was pointed out to show the transition from the red slate of the original roof to the medium gray
fiberglass shingle roof of the later added parts of the building. Other items displayed included
granite and stucco that will be used in siding.
HDC members asked questions about details of the handicapped ramp, curbing, parking lot lighting
(response: Lexington standards), visible venting (response: only on south parking lot side, existing
chimney (to remain), grating around and noise of the cooler. Library project engineering firm
member gave data telling that the noise would be 40 dba or less (in comparison 55 dba voice
normal). He also noted that the cooler would often not operate at night. HDC members also
questioned types of trees, noting that the canoe birch on the plans ("to lightened up the landscape")
is disease prone. More details were also requested on the portico.
Jewel Douglass complimented the human touches in the plans but expressed concern about the area
between her building and the library HDC urged further discussion between her and the library's
landscape designer.
Poinelli recommended that the Library project should proceed with Design Development and return
to the HDC in June with site plans before preparing construction documents. Also agreed that the
PBC would come back with any change of plans and that each meeting with the HDC hereafter will
be a continued hearing.
VOTED by the HDC: Permission to demolish parts of the 1975 library additions and that the
building footprint as planned is appropriate.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Lt-24— ,4< Set --- Secretary