HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-16-HC-min.pdfLexington Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
July 16th, 2025
Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation
Commissioners Present: Robert Rotberg, Marilyn Fenollosa, Susan Bennett, Wendall Kalsow, Diane Pursley.
Commissioners Absent:
Associate Commissioners Present: David Kelland.
Associate Commissioner Absent:
Chair Robert Rotberg called the July 1611, 2025 Historical Commission meeting to order at 7:00
pm.
AGENDA ITEM #1: Approval of meeting minutes of the meetings held on June 18th, 2025
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on June 18th, 2025 as
amended. Motion carried with Mr. Kalsow abstaining. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #2: Continued Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition and roof
line change (additions) at 15 Field Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Treff LaFleche, Architect
Richardo Bilonick, Architect
Julia Edgerton, Architect
Le Debbie Yu, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None
DOCUMENT(S):
15 Field Road Compiled Presentation Materials: dated July 10, 2025
SUMMARY:
Treff LaFleche, architect, and Debbie Yu, homeowner, explained the updated proposed additions plans
for this structure. The carport canopy and garage door will be removed for the new garage construction.
Chair Mr. Rotberg recused himself for this hearing because he lives nearby. The Commission agreed the
updated plans for this addition were appropriate.
No public comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission agreed that the updated plans which retained in its historical spirit were appropriate.
MOTION:
Ms. Bennett made a motion to find the historical structure at 15 Field Road was historically
significant and preferably preserved, and partial building demolition and modifications presented
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at the hearing on the Historical Commission meeting held on July 16t'', 2025 are acceptable to the
Commission. Mr. Kalsow seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Pursley —
Yes,
Mr. Kelland —
Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa
— Yes,
Ms. Bennett —
Yes,
Mr. Kalsow —
Yes.
Motion carried
5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #3: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 1 Malt Ln
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Mary Nguyen, Homeowner
Leon Cao, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None
DOCUMENT(S):
None
SUMMARY:
Mary Nguyen and Leon Cao, homeowners, applied to demolish their historic property.
The Commission agreed that the full building demolition for this historical structure was inappropriate
and imposed 21 -month demolition delay on this property.
No public comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission imposed 21 -month demolition delay on this property.
MOTION:
Ms. Pursley made a motion to find the historical structure at 1 Malt Ln was historically significant
and preferably preserved, and Historical Commission will impose 21 -month demolition delay on
this property at 1 Malt Ln. Mr. Kalsow seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa
— Yes,
Mr. Kelland —
Yes,
Ms. Bennett —
Yes,
Ms. Pursley —
Yes,
Mr. Kalsow —
Yes.
Mr. Rotberg —
Yes.
Motion carried
6 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
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AGENDA ITEM #4: Public Hearing regarding the Full Building Demolition at 80 Bedford Street
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Frederick Gilgun, Attorney
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Cerise Jalelian, 7 Lois Ln
Marcia Steere, 22 Lois Ln
DOCUMENT(S):
Homeowner Letter: dated June 18, 2025
Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated May 27, 2025
SUMMARY:
Frederick Gilgun, attorney, describe the proposed full building demolition and development plans for the
lot of 80 Bedford St. And the homeowner Johnson Family hope to preserve this single-family home and
relocate it on the property as part of multifamily development of the property.
The Commission recommended to preserve this single-family home and relocate it on the property as part
of multifamily development of the property. They agreed that the full building demolition for this
historical structure was inappropriate and imposed 21 -month demolition delay on this property.
Cerise Jalelian,? Lois Ln, Marcia Steere, 22 Lois Ln, expressed their concerns in regards to this full
building demolition.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission imposed 21 -month demolition delay on this property.
MOTION:
Mr. Kalsow made a motion to find 80 Bedford Street historically significant and preferably
preserved, and to impose a 21 -month demolition delay. Mr. Kelland seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Bennett — Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Mr. Kalsow — Yes.
Mr. Rotberg — No.
Motion carried 5 to 1. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition (additions) at 24
Percy Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Patrick Guthrie, Architect
Peter Kok, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None
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DOCUMENT(S):
Homeowner Letter: dated June 17, 2025
Comparison of Existing and Proposed Elevations: dated June 18, 2025
Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated June 11, 2025
Photos of existing structure: dated June 18, 2025
2022 Legal Notice Charge Auth Form_Fillable PDF.- dated June 18, 2025
Project Description: dated June 18, 2025
Abutters list certification: June 18, 2025
SUMMARY:
Patrick Guthrie, architect, explained the proposed additions and renovations to the east side and rear of 24
Percy Road. Proposed siding will match the existing painted/stained shingles exposure and finish. New
windows will be simulated divided lite insulated glazing units with the exterior painted to match the
existing sash. The new trim will match the existing painted wood in width and profile. New sloped roofs
will match existing asphalt shingles. The flat roof will be membrane. On the west elevation, a covered
entry stoop, door, and three windows are being removed. Three windows are proposed at the first and
second floors, two of which are mullioned units with three sashes. The addition is offset two feet from the
existing west elevation and extends three feet south. On the south side, there will be a new entry and
covered porch, a one-story bay that becomes an octagonal tower at the second story, a one-story expansion
of the kitchen, and at the second -floor, an oriel will be added for an improved interior stair between the
second floor and rooms in the attic. The porch will have simple square columns and a decorative railing.
The soffit line of the porch and kitchen expansion will wrap the transition between the first -floor bay and
the second -floor tower. The roof pitch of the tower will match the pitch of the main gable roof. A one-
story kitchen extension will be added to the east elevation of the rear ell.
Ms. Bennett stated that maintaining the front fagade to Percy Road is terrific. The new design enhanced
the look from the elevation. Mr. Kalsow stated that both the design and preservation were very clear, and
the design is well throughout. It is very respectful for this historic house.
No public comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission agreed that this proposed addition plans were appropriate for this historic house.
MOTION:
Ms. Bennett made a motion to find that 24 Percy Road was historically significant and preferably
preserved, and approve the proposed exterior alterations and additions as presented during the
Historical Commission meeting on July 16th, 2025. Ms. Fenollosa seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Kalsow — Yes.
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
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Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Mr. Rotberg — Yes.
Motion carried 6 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #6: Input from Commissioners on other matters
Ms. Bennett followed up on creating an Historical Commission preservation awards program. She will
discuss with the Chair of Historic Districts Commission for this idea. Ms. Bennett clarified that this will
not be a monetary award, but a recognition.
Mr. Kalsow commented on the Hanscom Field expansion project, and stated that the information came
with NHPA Section 106 Consulting Party was sparse and not adequate to evaluate what's being proposed.
He suggested to oppose the received proposed plans until additional information is received.
Mr. Kalsow made a motion to oppose the received proposal for lack of information in terms of being
able to determine the impact on historic resources regarding the invitation to be part of the
consultation process in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of
1966, as amended (NHPA) (Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.3), for the
proposed renovation of an existing aircraft hangar building formerly owned by the United States
Navy (the "Navy Hangar") located immediately north of Laurence G. Hanscom Field (Hanscom
Field) at 154 Hartwell Road in Bedford, Massachusetts (the "Project"). Ms. Bennett seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Mr. Kalsow — Yes.
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes,
Mr. Rotberg — Yes.
Motion carried 6 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #7: Input from the public on other matters
None
AGENDA ITEM #8: Adjourn
Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kalsow at 8:20pm. Motion carried. All in
favor.
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