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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-05-HDC-minLee Noel Chase, Chair Paul O'Shaughnessy Edward Adelman Robin Lovett Dan Hisel Richard Neumeier Brien Cooper TOWN OF LEXINGTON HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION Minutes, Thursday, June 5, 2025 Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia Commissioners Present: Lee Noel Chase, Edward Adelman, Robin Lovett, Paul O'Shaughnessy. Commissioner Absent: Dan Hisel. Associate Commissioners Present: Brien Cooper. Associate Commissioner Absent: Richard Neumeier. Chair Lee Noel Chase called the June 5, 2025 Historic Districts Commission meeting to order at 6:01pm. Brien Cooper was acting as voting member for this meeting. FORMAL HEARINGS Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the formal hearing for 1884 Massachusetts Avenue, exterior alterations (Landscaping) in the Battle Green Historic District Documents Full plan set of proposed alteration: dated May 13, 2025 Photographs of entire place of each building elevation visible from the public way: dated May 13, 2025 Site Plan: dated May 13, 2025 David Pinsonneault, DPW Director, and Eden Dutcher, architect, explained the proposed landscaping plans for Belfry Hill at 1884 Mass Ave. The Commissioners agreed that the proposed landscaping plans were appropriate with the clarification of a slight redraw of the terminus of the path to create a landing and the relocation of benches. Robin Lovett will serve as liaison for this application. No Public Comments. Motion was granted and seconded to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes to 1884 Massachusetts Avenue on the condition of the clarification of a slight redraw of the terminus of the path to create a landing and the relocation of benches. Motion carried, All in favor. Historic Districts Commission 1 1 5 Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the formal hearing for 32 Worthen Road, exterior alterations (Landscaping) in the Battle Green Historic District Documents Full plan set of proposed alteration: dated May 12, 2025 Photographs of entire place of each building elevation visible from the public way: dated May 12, 2025 Site Plan: dated May 12, 2025 Material List: dated May 12, 2025 Work scope narrative: dated May 12, 2025 Owner Authorization letter: dated May 12, 2025 Photos: dated May 12, 2025 The contractors Christopher Kent & John Cameron, and Stephen Weinig, President of Hamilton Construction Inc. briefly explained the residing details for the properties which are located at 32 Worthen Rd. Chair Lee Noel Chase pointed out that there was no precedent for allowing vinyl siding within the Battle Green District. The Commission was not satisfied with the vinyl material and agreed to continue this hearing to next HDC meeting. No Public Comments. Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the formal hearing for 1718 Massachusetts Avenue, exterior alterations (Signage) in the Battle Green Historic District Documents Full plan set of proposed alteration: dated May 5, 2025 Photographs of entire place of each building elevation visible from the public way: dated May 5, 2025 Site plan: dated May 5, 2025 Material List: dated May 5, 2025 Work scope narrative: dated May 7, 2025 Kyle Wolfe, signage consultant of Green Bee Creative LLC, explained the exterior flag -mounted signage for the structure at 1718 Mass Ave. The Commissioners agreed that the proposed signage plans were appropriate with the removal of lighting over blade sign and a similar bracket replacing. No Public Comments. Motion was granted and seconded to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes to 1718 Massachusetts Avenue with the removal of the blade sign lights and a similar bracket replacing. Motion carried, All in favor. Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the formal hearing for 1123 Massachusetts Avenue, exterior alterations (Rooftop Solar Panels) in the East Village Historic District Documents Full plan set of proposed alteration: dated April 22, 2025 Photographs of entire place of each building elevation visible from the public way: dated April 22, 2025 Material List: dated April 22, 2025 Work scope narrative: dated April 22, 2025 Historic Districts Commission 2/5 Owner Authorization letter: dated April 22, 2025 Certified Abutters List: dated April 23, 2025 Rebecca Craddock, project manager of Great Sky Solar, explained the rooftop solar panels installation plans for the structure at 1123 Mass Ave. The Commission agreed to continue this hearing to July HDC meeting for the layout of the panels. Edward Adelman will serve as liaison for this application. No Public Comments. Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the formal hearing for 6 Independence Avenue, exterior alterations (Additions, Reroofing & Window Replacement) in the East Village Historic District Documents Full plan set of proposed alteration: dated May 20, 2025 Photographs of entire place of each building elevation visible from the public way: dated April 24, 2025 Site plan: dated June 5, 2025 Material List: dated April 24, 2025 Work scope narrative: dated April 24, 2025 2"d floor windows and garage: dated April 24, 2025 Garage plan: dated June 2, 2025 Roofing, siding, and windows materials: dated June 5, 2025 The homeowner Wei Ren and contractor Igor Jorge explained the proposed plans regarding reroofing, 15 windows replacement, raising 3 existing windows on second floor by 1'6", open two new windows on the west facade, and expand the existing one car garage to two -car garage. The commission agreed to pause this hearing until next month for more details with the window specifications and the revision to the roof of the garage. Paul O'Shaughnessy will serve as liaison for this application. No Public Comments. Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the formal hearing for 4 Percy Road, exterior alterations (New Construction) in the Munroe Tavern Historic District Documents Full plan set of proposed alteration: dated April 30, 2025 Photographs of entire place of each building elevation visible from the public way: dated April 30, 2025 Material List: dated April 30, 2025 Work scope narrative: dated April 30, 2025 Owner Authorization letter: dated April 30, 2025 The architect Colin Smith briefly introduced the flipping "mirroring" the new house design plans for the new construction at 4 Percy Road for protecting the large beech tree close to the lot of 6 Percy Road. He stated that the new house will be pulled further from the tree on the new plan. It will be less invasive to the root system. HDC approved the original new construction plans in 2024. Chair Lee Noel Chase stated that it was a difficult situation because this tree matter did not come before HDC in the prior approval. And HDC did approve the house in that large size. The commission approved the proposed sitting and selections as presented to the meeting. Historic Districts Commission 3 1 5 Richard Foley & Denise Foley, 6 Percy Rd, stated that their goal is to protect and save the 250 -year-old beech tree. The size and scope of the new construction to be built at Percy Rd will impact the root system of the tree. They were asking to reduce the square footage of the new construction and put the driveway back of the house. The chair Lee Noel Chase made a motion to approve the proposed sitting and selections plans as presented to the HDC meeting on June 5th, 2025. Roll Call Vote: Robin Lovett - Yes, Brien Cooper - Yes, Edward Adelman - Yes, Paul O'Shaughnessy - No, Lee Noel Chase — No. The majority in favor. Motion carried. A Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes to 4 Percy Road will be issued for the approval of this application. CONTINUED HEARINGS Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the continued hearing for 678 Massachusetts Avenue, exterior alterations (Windows) in the East Village Historic District 678 Mass Ave -HDC Formal -window adjustments: dated May 29, 2025 678 Mass Ave Architectural Drawings: dated June 5, 2025 678 Mass Ave Exterior Renderings: dated June 51 2025 HDC hearing Arch Dwgs with Redlines of Changes: dated June 5, 2025 678 Mass Ave Window Muntin layout for proposed windows: dated June 5, 2025 The architect Colin Smith and contractor Matt Thenen explained the proposed exterior changes plans for the additions at 678 Mass Ave. The Commissioners agreed that the proposed addition plans were appropriate. The proposed exterior color scheme will be reviewed in person after the meeting at the location. No Public Comments. Motion was granted and seconded to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes to 678 Massachusetts Avenue except the proposed exterior color scheme will be reviewed and approved on site after the meeting. Motion carried, All in favor. Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the continued hearing for 15 Meriam Street, exterior alterations (Chimney removal and balcony railings and post replacement) in the Battle Green Historic District Documents Presentation-HDC-June2025: dated June 2, 2025 The owner Salim Semy explained the proposed balcony railing and post replacement plans for the structure at 15 Meriam Street. The post and railings will be replaced to match to existing material - pressure treated wood, and painted with white color. The Commissioners agreed that the proposed balcony railing and post replacement plans were appropriate. No Public Comments. Motion was granted and seconded to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes to 15 Meriam Street. Motion carried, All in favor. Historic Districts Commission 4/5 INFORMAL HEARINGS Chair Lee Noel Chase opened the informal hearing for 16 Clarke Street, exterior alterations (Development) in the Battle Green Historic District Documents Existing Site Plan: dated May 28, 2025 Project Narrative: dated May 30, 2025 The architectural team of North Shore Residential Development, Inc introduced the development plans for a new 4 story mixed use / residential condominium building for the property at 16 Clarke Street. It is envisioned that the project would incorporate residential parking in a below grade parking level as well as additional exterior onsite surface parking for commercial and visitor use. The project is to be located on the corner of Clarke Street & Raymond in Lexington on a single parcel. The property currently consists of a single -story medical office building and a surface parking lot containing 42 parking spaces. The Commissioner Paul O'Shaughnessy stated that this development will involve demolition of the whole structure, and he will not vote to approve the demolition for the existing structure. Robin Lovett inquired about the height issue of the proposed structure compared with the surrounding buildings like Hancock School and Cary Library. Edward Adelman pointed out that the parking and traffic issue should be considered within the project. Brien Cooper reiterated Paul's comments and expressed his concerns about this development project regarding the parking, traffic, and impact on the neighborhood. Chair Lee Noel Chase expressed her concerns regarding the traffic especially during peak hours. Jerold Michelson expressed his supports of this large development project. He stated that this is a landmark step and this is a new building in downtown that it needs. Matthew Thenen, builder in Lexington, stated that this is a unique situation because the development will dramatically change the face of Lexington and the landscape of Lexington. ACTION ITEMS Consideration and vote on Meeting Minutes on March 6th, 2025 & April 3`'d, 2025 & May 1St, 2025 The approval for the March 6th, 2025 & April 3`'d, 2025 & May 1St, 2025 meeting minutes will take place at the upcoming HDC meeting on July 10th, 2025. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45pm. Motion carried. All in favor. Historic Districts Commission 5 / 5