HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-19-HDC447-min Minutes of the Historic Districts Commission
Ad Hoc 40C Study Committee
Friday, January 19, 2018
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
2:00 pm
Committee Members Present: Anne Eccles, Chair; Susan Bennett, Marilyn Fenollosa and
Lester Savage.
Committee Members Absent: Dan Fenn
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm by Ms. Eccles. Ms. Eccles reported that Mr. Fenn
was unable to attend due to illness.
1. Reports on Interviews. The committee members each reported on their interviews
with other Special Act HDC communities and former Special Act HDC Committees.
Based on this learning, it was decided that Lexington's Special Act gave the HDC more
specificity to deal with Lexington issues and should be retained.
2. Vote to amend Ch. 447. The motion was made, and seconded, to pursue amending Ch. 447
rather than switching to state statute Ch. 40C. The committee was unanimously in favor.
3. Amendments. Ms. Eccles requested that each committee member consider amendments
to be proposed at the next meeting. Ms. Fenollosa distributed a memorandum outlining
several proposed amendments.
4. Issues update.
• Ms. Bennett distributed a memorandum concerning criteria for decision-making,
desirable changes to Ch. 447,possible problematic features of 40C and a discussion
item concerning review of HDC decisions by regional planning authorities (from
40C).
• Ms. Fenollosa distributed copies of an e-mail from Mina Makarious, town counsel,
concerning appeals of decisions under 40C vs. Ch. 447 and additional amendments
were we to switch to 40C.
• Ms. Fenollosa also distributed a memorandum listing the nominating processes of
each of the Special Act communities.
• Mr. Savage confirmed that the Ch.. 447 hardship provisions were consistent with
those of other communities
5. Next Meeting. The next meeting of the Committee was set for Wednesday, January 31
at 2:00 in the Parker Room.
6. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 3:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Fenollosa
The following documents were presented at the meeting:
1. Memo to Ad Hoc Committee dated January 17, 2018 from Marilyn Fenollosa with
suggested amendments to Ch. 447.
2. Memo to Ad Hoc Committee from Susan Bennett concerning Comments on criteria,
Desirable changes in Lexington Act, Possibly problematic features of 40C and
Discussion Item.
3. E-mail from Mina Makarious, town counsel dated January 10, 2018
4. Memo to Ad Hoc Committee from Marilyn Fenollosa entitled "Special Act Historic
District Commission Appointments"