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Home My WebLink About2025-01-15-HC-min Lexington Historical Commission Meeting Minutes th January 15, 2025 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg, Chair, Susan Bennett, Marilyn Fenollosa, Wendall Kalsow. Commissioner Absent: Diane Pursley. Associate Commissioners Present: David Kelland. Associate Commissioner Absent: th Chair Robert Rotberg called the January 15, 2025 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:00 pm. th AGENDA ITEM #1: Approval of meeting minutes of the meeting held on December 18, 2024 Mr. Kelland made a motion to postpone the consideration of the meeting minutes of the meeting thth held on December 18, 2024 until next meeting to be held on February 19, 2025. Mr. Kalsow seconded. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #2: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 25 Moon Hill Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Krassi Diehl and Yvette Beeman, Contractor Chris Johns, Architect Martha Fox Segal, Homeowner Rene Mugnier, Structural Engineer ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Barbara Katzenberg, 37 Moon Hill Road, Alex Whitney, 28 Moon Hill Road, Rajive Chaudhry, 10 Moon Hill Road, Matias Stella, 5 Moon Hill Road, Neelanjana Bhowmik, 16 Moon Hill Road, Victoria Whitney, 28 Moon Hill Road, DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner Letter: dated December 16, 2024 Historical Information: dated January 10, 2025 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated January 10, 2025 Photos of original structure: dated January 10, 2025 Photos of existing structure: dated January 14, 2025 Structural Engineer’s Report: dated January 10, 2025 Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated December 16, 2024 Historical Commission 1 Letter from New England Chapter of Docomomo-US against the full building demolition of 25 Moon Hill Road: dated January 9, 2025 25 Moon Hill Road Existing Survey: dated January 10, 2025 The Lexington Observer Article regarding 25 Moon Hill Road: dated January 13, 2025 Letter from Bill Janovitz in support of the full building demolition of 25 Moon Hill Road: dated January 13, 2025 25 Moon Hill Letter from Six Moon Hill Community: dated January 14, 2025 NESAH Advocacy letter regarding 25 Moon Hill Rd: dated January 17, 2025 SUMMARY: Krassi Diehl, Yvette Beeman, and Chris Johns, explained the proposed full building demolition and new construction plans for the structure at 25 Moon Hill Road. Mr. Mugnier, structural engineer, examined the house and explained the structural engineering conditions - its foundation and wood siding beyond repair, making it more expensive to restore than build new. Ms. Fenollosa and Mr. Rotberg recused themselves from the discussion and vote on this hearing. Mr. Kelland reiterated that the purpose of a demolition delay is to allow an opportunity for the restoration of the house if that’s possible. Ms. Bennett suggested investigating the "demolition by neglect" bylaw provision. The owner can be obligated to remedy the results of the neglect which could make the house even more attractive to other people who want to rehabilitate it. The Commission reviewed the proposed full building demolition and new construction plans, finding that the structure at 25 Moon Hill Road was historically significant, and imposed a 21-month demolition delay on this property. Mr. Kalsow requested that the Chair of Historical Commission Mr. Rotberg meet with the Building Commissioner to discuss whether the building is undergoing demolition by neglect. Barbara Katzenberg, 37 Moon Hill Road, Alex Whitney, 28 Moon Hill Road, Rajive Chaudhry, 10 Moon Hill Road, Matias Stella, 5 Moon Hill Road, Neelanjana Bhowmik, 16 Moon Hill Road, Victoria Whitney, 28 Moon Hill Road, Susan Ward, 15 Robinson Road, and Gary Wolf, architect from Weston, expressed their opposition to demolishing 25 Moon Hill Road. Scott Kyle, founder of Kyle Restoration, a Waltham-based general contracting company, stated that many of the issues regarding its exterior siding, slab, outdated windows, and water damage are all “common repairs”. Matthew Thenen, historic preservation contractor, stated that this house was not built to a very high standard when it was initially constructed. Such houses deteriorate rapidly if they are not looked after. Martha Fox Segal, homeowner, explained that the house was not undergoing demolition by neglect and the maintenance cost of this structure was not affordable. HC COMMENTS: The Commission imposed a 21-month demolition delay on the property and requested that the Chair of Historical Commission Mr. Rotberg meet with the Building Commissioner to discuss whether the building is undergoing demolition by neglect Historical Commission 2 MOTION: Mr. Kalsow made a motion to find that the structure at 25 Moon Hill Road is historically significant and to impose a 21-month demolition delay on the property, and additionally to request that the Chair of Historical Commission Mr. Rotberg meet with the Building Commissioner to discuss whether the building is undergoing demolition by neglect related to the prohibition of a building permit for 24 months and other remedies that are under Lexington Building Code. Ms. Bennett seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Kalsow – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Motion carried 3 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #3: Public Hearing regarding the Roof Line Change (Additions) at 39 Somerset Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Jayalakshmi Nagaraj, Homeowner Noel Danforth, Artist & Designer ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Comparison of Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated January 13, 2025 Renderings: dated January 13, 2025 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated December 18, 2024 Photos of existing structure: dated January 13, 2025 Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated December 18, 2024 Preliminary Design Development Set 11-25-2024: dated December 18, 2024 Plot plan: dated October 15, 2024 Photos: dated January 13, 2025 SUMMARY: Jayalakshmi Nagaraj, homeowner, and Noel Danforth, designer, explained the proposed plans of newly built two-car garage and second-story addition above the existing porch for the structure at 39 Somerset Road. The Commission reviewed the proposed addition plans, approved the addition plans for the front façade and the garage as submitted, and continued consideration of the addition to the portion on the left-hand side to the February HC meeting. The homeowner agreed to come back in February with updated plans. No Public Comments. Historical Commission 3 HC COMMENTS: The Commission approved the addition plans for the front façade and the garage as submitted, and deferred approval of the addition to the portion on the left-hand side. MOTION: Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to find that the house at 39 Somerset Road was preferably preserved, and that the HC approve the plans for the front façade and the garage as submitted to the Historical th Commission meeting on January 15, 2025. Ms. Bennett seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Kelland – Yes, Mr. Kalsow – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes, Ms. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #4: Voting on adding 70 Middle Street to Cultural Resource Inventory Historical Commission will advertise the legal notice to add 70 Middle Street to Cultural Resource Inventory on Minuteman Newspaper and will notify the new owner as required by the demolition delay bylaw.. Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the Form B for 70 Middle Street and to notify the owner th that a hearing on February 19, 2025 will be scheduled. Mr. Kalsow seconded. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Kalsow – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Ms. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #5: Input from Commissioners on other matters The Commission requested to publish all legal notices for the following applications on Lex Observer. AGENDA ITEM #6: Input from the public on other matters Historical Commission 4 None AGENDA ITEM #7: Adjourn Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kelland at 9:36pm. Motion carried. All in favor. Historical Commission 5