HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-18-HC-min
Lexington Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
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December 18, 2024
Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation
Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg, Chair, Diane Pursley, Susan Bennett, Marilyn Fenollosa,
Wendall Kalsow.
Commissioner Absent:
Associate Commissioners Present: David Kelland.
Associate Commissioner Absent:
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Chair Robert Rotberg called the December 18, 2024 Historical Commission meeting to order at
7:00 pm.
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AGENDA ITEM #1: Approval of meeting minutes of the meeting held on November 20, 2024
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Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 20, 2024
as amended and emails correspondences of defining historic preservation in Town Bylaws regarding
the Open Meeting Law Violation. Mr. Kalsow seconded. Motion carried with Mr. Kelland
abstaining. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #2: Hanscom Field Update – Jeanne Krieger
Jeanne Krieger provided updates about the Hanscom Field extension project. A drafted environmental
impact report was submitted by the developers earlier this year, but that report was rejected by the
Secretary of the Executive Office of the Energy, Environmental Affairs because it did not adequately
address the full extent of its environmental impact. It was claimed in the report that there would be
absolutely no increase in flights, despite the fact that they would be doubling the capacity for private jet
hangers. The draft report was rejected and a supplemental draft environmental impact report was waiting
to be given to Secretary Tepper. The expansion project has been delayed because of the need to spend at
least six months doing a supplemental environmental impact report. Gov. Maura Healey signed into law
a change in the Massport’s Charter on November 21, 2024, directed Massport to consider “environmental
protection and resilience, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental justice principles”
in its decision-making with respects to the Hanscom Field extension project. The report required to be
submitted will have to be a Section 106 that would address the historic impact because the Minuteman
National Park is in the flight path of private jets, and also Section 4F, which would address the impact on
wildlife. The consulting parties, under Section 106, have not been established at this time.
Mr. Kalsow requested that the Historical Commission be named as a consulting party, and Ms. Krieger
stated that they assumed that Minuteman Tech and the Lexington Historical Commission, the Concord
Historical Commission, and the Bedford Historical Commission would all be consulted.
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Mr. Rotberg and Ms. Krieger clarified that the Massport wanted more private jet capacity in order to get
more rentals of the lease on the hangers.
AGENDA ITEM #3: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition (Window
Replacement) at 18 Barberry Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Michael Schanbacher, Architect
Jamie Katz & Cynthia Piltch, Homeowners
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None
DOCUMENT(S):
Homeowner Letter: dated November 20, 2024
Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated November 20, 2024
231218-18 Barberry-Lexington Historic Commission: dated December 4, 2024
SUMMARY:
Michael Schanbacher, architect, explained the proposed Andersen window replacement plans for the
structure at 18 Barberry Road. He stated that most of windows will be replaced in kind.
The Commission agreed that the proposed window replacement plans were appropriate. Chair Robert
Rotberg recused himself from this hearing because he is an abutter. Mr. Kalsow stated that the change of
adding a door was still in keeping with the original building itself.
No Public Comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission reviewed this application and agreed that the proposed window replacement plans were
appropriate.
MOTION:
Mr. Kalsow made a motion to find the structure at 18 Barberry Road historically significant and
preferably preserved, and that the selected partial building demolition and window and door
replacements as presented were consistent with the historic character of the building, and approve
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the plans submitted on December 18, 2024 Historical Commission meeting. Ms. Bennett seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Mr. Kelland – Yes,
Mr. Kalsow – Yes,
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Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition and Roof Line
Change (Additions) at 31 Barberry Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Michael Schanbacher, Architect
Joshua Apgar & Courtney Apgar, Homeowners
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None
DOCUMENT(S):
Homeowner Letter: dated November 20, 2024
Comparison of Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated November 20, 2024
Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated November 20, 2024
SUMMARY:
Michael Schanbacher, architect, and Joshua Apgar & Courtney Apgar, homeowners, explained the
proposed addition plans for the structure at 31 Barberry Road.
The Commission reviewed the proposed addition plans and agreed to continue this hearing to February
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19 HC meeting. Chair Robert Rotberg recused himself because he is an abutter of this property.
No Public Comments.
HC COMMENTS:
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This hearing will continue to February 19, 2025 HC meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Public hearing regarding removal 25 Moon Hill Road out of HC Inventory
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Krassi Diehl, Contractor
Yvette Beeman, Contractor
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None
DOCUMENT(S):
Home Inspection Report: dated November 20, 2024
Photos of property 25 Moon Hill Rd: dated December 11, 2024
Photos of Moon Hill Neighborhood: dated December 11, 2024
Owners Authorization form: dated December 11, 2024
National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for six Moon Hill Road: dated November 24, 2015
25 Moon Hill Rd HC meeting submitted: dated December 18, 2024
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SUMMARY:
Krassi Diehl, contractor, explained the current condition and the impracticality of restoration of the
structure at 25 Moon Hill Road and requested to remove this property from the Comprehensive Cultural
Resource Survey.
The Commission denied this request to remove the house from the HC Inventory. Chair Robert Rotberg
recused himself from this hearing.
No Public Comments.
HC COMMENTS:
Mr. Kelland recommended the applicants to apply for a demolition permit for advertising this property to
the public who will purchase and preserve it.
The Commission denied this request to remove the house from the HC Inventory.
MOTION:
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to deny this request to remove the house from the HC Inventory. Mr.
Kalsow seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Kelland – Yes,
Mr. Kalsow – Yes,
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #6: Voting on adding 70 Middle Street to Cultural Resource Inventory
The homeowner of 70 Middle Street requested to withdraw her application from adding 70 Middle Street
to Cultural Resource Inventory. The Commission agreed to continue this hearing to January Historical
Commission meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #7: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 321 Concord Avenue
This hearing will move to the next Historical Commission meeting as per applicant’s request.
AGENDA ITEM #8: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 419 Marrett Road
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APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Jonathan Silverstein, Attorney
Amy Griffin, Owner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Ivana Doucet, 411 Marrett Road
DOCUMENT(S):
Historical Information: dated November 19, 2024
Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated Nov 19, 2024
Photos of original structure: dated November 19, 2024
Photos of existing structure: dated November 19, 2024
Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated November 19, 2024
SUMMARY:
Jonathan Silverstein, Attorney, explained the proposed full building demolition plans for the structure at
419 Marrett Road. The property of 419 Marrett Road is in the MBTA Village Overlay Districts.
Mr. Kelland and Ms. Bennett eminently agreed that this historic property was savable and would not
support demolition at all. Mr. Kalsow stated that the site plan review was not part of the purview of
Historical Commission. The Commission denied this full building demotion application and
recommended moving that house to another site and preferably keeping the house and its existing
foundation.
Ivana Doucet, 411 Marrett Road, inquired about the site plan of this property.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission denied this full building demolition application. A 21-month demolition delay will be
put into effect because of no site plan being approved.
MOTION:
Ms. Bennett made a motion to find the building at 419 Marrett Road is preferably preserved and
that the full building demolition request is denied and therefore a 21-month demolition delay would
be put into effect. Mr. Kelland seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Mr. Kalsow – Yes,
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Mr. Kelland – Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Mr. Rotberg – Yes,
Motion carried 6 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
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AGENDA ITEM #9: Allegation of Open Meeting Law Violation
In regard to an Open Meeting Law complaint made by Charles Hornig, the Historical Commission, on
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advice of Town Counsel, voted 6-0 on December 18, 2024 to post the email correspondence requested
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to the official minutes of its meeting of November 20, 2024.
MOTION:
Mr. Kelland made a motion to send this letter to Attorney General’s Office and Lexington Town
Clerk answering the allegation of Open Meeting Law Violation. Ms. Fenollosa seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Bennett – Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa – Yes,
Mr. Kalsow – Yes,
Ms. Pursley – Yes,
Mr. Kelland – Yes,
Mr. Rotberg – Yes,
Motion carried 6 to 0. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #10: Report from Chair – Re Zoning Rewording
Chair Mr. Rotberg, put forth the proposed wording changes to the Planning Board and clarified the
Planning Board's questions.
The Commissioners discussed the suggested zoning bylaw amendments regarding historic preservation to
be submitted to Town Meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #11: Input from Commissioners on other matters
Ms. Fenollosa will prepare a letter to the homeowner of 70 Middle Street and Chair Mr. Rotberg stating
this property will be placed on the HC Inventory. This item will be discussed on January HC meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #12: Input from the public on other matters
None
AGENDA ITEM #13: Adjourn
Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kelland at 9:50pm. Motion carried. All in
favor.
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