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Home My WebLink About2025-03-19-HC-min Lexington Historical Commission Meeting Minutes th March 19, 2025 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg, Chair, Marilyn Fenollosa, Wendall Kalsow Susan Bennett. Commissioners Absent: Diane Pursley. Associate Commissioners Present: David Kelland (attended at 7:09pm). Associate Commissioner Absent: th Chair Robert Rotberg called the March 19, 2025 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:01 pm. th AGENDA ITEM #1: Approval of meeting minutes of the meeting held on February 19, 2025 th Mr. Kalsow made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 19, 2025 as amended. Motion carried with Ms. Bennett abstaining. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #2: Public Hearing regarding the partial building demolition (Relocation of window and front door) at 12 Paul Revere Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Mark Iacocca, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner letter: dated February 10, 2025 Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated February 10, 2025 2025-02-12_12 Paul Revere – Front Elevations: dated February 12, 2025 2025-02-12_12 Paul Revere – Renderings: dated February 12, 2025 12 Paul Revere Rd _ Neighbor support letters: dated March 19, 2025 SUMMARY: Mark Iacocca, Architect, explained that the proposed window and front door plans for the new construction at 12 Paul Revere Rd. The Commission reviewed the proposed plans and stated that the front door should be retained. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: Historical Commission 1 The Commission reviewed the new window and door plans as submitted. Mr. Kalsow stated that the proposed changes were completely inappropriate because they lost the integrity and appearance of the original historic building. He also wanted to make it clear that a walk and steps need to go up to the historic front door. Ms. Bennett recommended restoring the historic door in the old block to maintain the exterior appearance and then the new owner could use whichever door the new owner wants. MOTION: Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to find that the new structure at 12 Paul Revere Road was preferably preserved and to approve the design as showing in the drawings submitted to the Historical th Commission meeting on March 19, 2025, except that the front door will be restored on the main block of the house and a walk and steps leading to the front door be provided. Ms. Bennett seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Kalsow – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes. Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #3: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 32 Muzzey Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Joseph Barbato, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Upasna Chhabra, 7 Forest Street Bryan Wilson, 28 Muzzey Street DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner letter: dated February 12, 2025 dated February 12, 2025 Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: Photos of existing structure: dated February 12, 2025 Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated February 11, 2025 32 Muzzey Street_Plot plan: dated February 12, 2025 SUMMARY: Joseph Barbato, architect from Feinmann Inc, explained the proposed full building demolition plans for the structure at 32 Muzzey Street. Mr. Barbato stated that they have already started a thorough process and will continue on that process of seeking an alternate solution that would preserve the property. Ms. Bennett stated that it would be a shame for the town if this property was destroyed. Ms. Fenollosa th stated that this property was built by David Tuttle who is one of the principal builders in the late 19 century. She reiterated that it would be a shame to lose this historically significant property. Historical Commission 2 Gaurav and Upasna Chhabra, 7 Forest Street, stated that they encouraged the architect and homeowner could find a way to preserve that historical property. Bryan Wilson, 28 Muzzey Street, stated that he fully agreed that we should consider not demolishing the whole house. He suggested producing a plan to demolish the garage or keep the original house as much as possible in its original condition. HC COMMENTS: The Commission declined this full building demolition application. A 21-month demolition delay will be put into effect. MOTION: Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to find the building at 32 Muzzey Street was preferably preserved and to impose a 21-month demolition delay. Historical Commission also urged the builder to reconsider this application to demolish the entire building and to proceed with plans to add a sensitive addition. Mr. Kelland seconded. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Bennett – Yes, Mr. Kalsow – Yes, Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Rotberg – Yes, Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #4: Continued Public Hearing regarding the Partial building demolition (Window Sash Replacement) and approval of amending Historic Preservation Restriction dated January 25, 2010 at 110 Shade Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Vikram Mittal, Homeowner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Photos of existing structure: dated January 14, 2025 Legal Advertisement Authorization Form: dated January 14, 2025 Andersen Windows 400 Series Brochure: dated January 14, 2025 Historic Preservation Restriction: dated January 25, 2010 SUMMARY: Vikram Mittal, Homeowner, explained the proposed window sash replacement for the structure at 110 Shade Street. Historical Commission 3 The Commission reviewed the proposed window sash replacement plans and suggested continuing this hearing to the next meeting with additional information concerning the existing condition of the windows and alternative solutions to total replacement. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kalsow stated that that there is a recorded historic preservation restriction of this property, which makes this property different than being on the inventory. The Secretary of Interior standards require that historic fabric should be retained and restored to the greatest extent possible. Wholesale replacement of double hung windows does not follow those standards. Ms. Bennett and Mr. Kelland stated that it is possible to repair and retain those historic windows and fabrics. They highly recommended repairing those historic windows. Ms. Fenollosa stated that those 24 windows replacements will be a significant change to the whole façade. AGENDA ITEM #5: Continued 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): Updated plans: dated February 6, 2025 Support Letters from abutters: dated March, 2025 SUMMARY: Michael Schanbacher, architect, and Joshua Apgar & Courtney Apgar, homeowners, explained the updated addition plans with simplified roofline for the structure at 31 Barberry Road. Some abutters submitted supporting letters regarding this addition project. Chair Robert Rotberg recused himself because he is an abutter of this property. No Public Comments. HC COMMENTS: The Commission reviewed and approved the addition plans as submitted. MOTION: Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to find that the structure at 31 Barberry Road was preferably preserved and to approve the partial demolition and additions plans as presented to the Historical th Commission meeting on March 19, 2025. Ms. Bennett seconded. Historical Commission 4 Roll Call Vote: Mr. Kelland – Yes, Ms. Bennett – Yes, Ms. Fenollosa – Yes, Mr. Kalsow – Yes, Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor. AGENDA ITEM #6: Continued Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 321 Concord Avenue th This hearing will move to the April 17 Historical Commission meeting due to the absence of the applicant. AGENDA ITEM #7: Chair’s Report on Demolition by Neglect th Chair Mr. Rotberg stated that he heard from the Building Commissioner Mr. Kelly on February 25, 2025 about his inspection of the structure at 25 Moon Hill Road. The whole structure was protected properly and was secured from damages. It has been made sufficient to stabilize the building and prevent further deterioration. This building was no longer demolition by neglect. AGENDA ITEM #8: Input from Commissioners on other matters None AGENDA ITEM #9: Input from the public on other matters None AGENDA ITEM #10: Adjourn Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kalsow at 8:21pm. Motion carried. All in favor. Historical Commission 5