HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-01-07 i •
HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMNLISSION
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 7, 1970
The Historic Districts Commission held a meeting on Wednesday,. Jarrow
ary 1970., at 7s40 P.M. in the Selectmen°s Room, Town Office Building
Lexington. Members present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chair»
matt; Philip B. Parsons, Secretary; Max H. Straw; George E. Grav®s; and
Associate Commissioners George W. Emery and Franklin C. Hudson. Present
also were Dean Nicholson, Esq. representing the petitioners; C. Harry
Erickson, Architect; Francis Worrell, member of the Lexington Planning
Board; Mrs. James Garroll~ F. L. Carroll, and Mr. & Mrs.. Joseph Ahern of
15y17 Muzzey Street; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Reynolds of 21 Muzzey Street; Mr.
& Mrs. William E. Rice of 5 Raymond Street; and Norman T. May, Esq. with
offices at 24 Muzzey Street. The chair appointed Franklin C. Hudson to
serve in place of Georgia H. Williams who was unable to be present.
A hearing was held on the application of Simon Goldberg and Samuel
B. Sheldon fora Certificate of Appropriateness with respect to the ar»
chiteetural features of a building at 19 Muzzey Street which is within
the Battle Green District. Mr. Jaquith read the notice of the hearing
and two letters .from Mr. Nicholson,. Attorney for Mr. Goldberg and Mr.
Sheldon. The first letter stated that Mr. Nicholson represented the own»
ers of the property at 19 Muzzey Street and the second letter requested
an extension on their application for demolition of the building now
standing at 19 Muzzey Street.
Mr. Jaquith explained that an informal hearing had been held with
Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Erickson on Wednesday, December 3, 1969 and that
such informal hearings are held so that the type of building which would
be acceptable to the Commission might be discussed informally with the
owner or his representative and the architect before detailed architec»
total plans are prepared. Mr. Nicholson stated that after the informal
hearing Mr. Erickson had been instructed to proceed with plans for the
proposed building and gave a brief summary of the building currently on i
the premises. This house is about 100 years old, had been a residence
until 1959, and then was used in connection with the Theatre Camera Shop
until the fall of 1969 when it was purchased by Mr. Goldberg and Mr.
Sheldon. Mr. Nicholson stated that Mr. Erickson had examined the present
structure and determined that it was not suitable for restrpration for
business purposes.
Mr. Erickson then presented three sets of plans of the proposed of=
fice building to the Commission. Discussion followed. Mr. Jaquith asked
if there were any questions from the abutters. Mr. Rice asked about the
number of proposed entrances and Mr. Erickson stated that the main en»
trance would be on Muzzey Street with an entrance from the driveway and a
third entrance from the rear of the building. The next topic discussed
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Meeting - 2 ~ January 7, 1970
concerned parking and Mr. Worrell spoke on that as a member of the
Lexington Planning Board. A letter to the Planning Board. from the Town
Counsel was read in which it was stated that "it is my opinion that there
is no relationship between a certificate of appropriateness of exterior
architectural features that might be issued by the Commission ate. the
proposed amendment to the Zoning By~Law, and that the issuance o~ such a
certificate could in no way conflict with an atm~ndment that might be
adopted pursuant to the hearing It was stated that the garage on
the premises would be torn dawn and that the architect had reserved the
land for the core parking lot as now planned for by the town. There will
be parking for seven cars and at this time it is not known how many tens
ants there will be in the building, Mr. Worrell withdrew. The next subw
ject discussed concerned fencing along the sides and rear boundary lines
of the property. It was determined that the Carrolls desire a four foot
fence and curbing to extend completely along the side boundary between
the proposed building and their property; Dr. Graham does not desire
fencing but that gates be installed at the front and rear from the side
of the proposed building to the side of his property at 21 Muzzey Street;
and that the other abutters, except for the Medical Center at 16 Clarke
Street, desire a four foot fence. A feasibility study is now underway to
determine how far to extend the fence along the rear boundary as access
is desired to the Medical Center. Mr. Rice suggested that there be a two
foot tie to the rear of the building and a fence from there back to the
rear boundary line and then across the rear boundary line, Mr. Jaquith
stated that it might be desirable for the Commission to leave the question
of fencing open at this time and not include in this Certificate and that
the question of fencing be brought before the Commission again when it is
determined what is .desired, The final discussion before the abutters with-
drew at 9x40 P.M. concerned the erection of an inside incinerator versus
trash collection. It was stated that trash collection would not add to
air pollution as an incinerator would bat that provision would have to be
made in the plans of the building for a service area for trash and its
collection. It was moved, seconded, and voted to adjourn this hearing at
10108 P.M. at which time Mr. May, Mr. Nicholson, and Mr. Erickson withdrew.
An adjourned hearing was held at 10110 P.M. with respect to the app
plication of Thomas E., Jr. and Mary E. Cheatham for a Certificate of
Appropriateness with respect to alterations to the dwelling and erection
of a fence on the premises at 40 Hancock Street, which is within the
Hancock-Clarke District. In addition to the above mentioned Commissioners
and Associate Gommissioners, also piesent for this hearing were Mr.
Cheatham and Robert Custanc®. Discussion was held concerning fencing
along the rear boundary line, combination windows (drawings submitted)
woodshed door, air conditioning condensers, addition of muntins to the
upper sash of twelve one over one sash windows on the first floor, and
painting. Mr. Cheatham and Mr. Custance withdrew at 1055 P.M.
Meeting - 3 ~ January 7, 1970
Mr. Jaquith designated George W. Emery to serve in his place as he
was unable to serve on the following as his firm does business with the
Town of Lexington. Mr. Jaquith withdrew at 1it00 P.M. It was moved,
seconded, and VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to the Town
of Lexington with respect to alterations and proposed addition to the
Town Office Building at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue. Participating in this
vote weret Commissioners Max H. Straw, Chairman Pro Tem; Philip B. Parsons;
George E. Graves; and Associate Commissioners George W. Emery and Franklin
C. Hudson. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Jaquith returned at 11x30 P.M. It was moved, seconded, and unan~
imcusly VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Thomas E., Jr.
and Mary E. Cheatham with respect to exterior architectural features of
the existing dwelling and a fence on the premises at 40 Hancock Street,
which is within the Hancock-Clarke District. Participating in this vote
~ were Commissioners Wilbvr M. Jaquith, Chairman; Philip B. Parsons; Max H.
Straw; Georg® E. Graves; and Associate Commissioner Franklin C. Hudson.
~ Mr. 0aquith presented a drawing in .connection with a request for the
addition of "ICE" to the front of the ice machine at the Shell Station on
the corner of Bedford Street and Worthen Road. It was moved, seconded,
and unanimously VOTED not to approve this drawing.
Mr. Jaquith submitted the following bills to the Commission
$81,.35 from Barbara Gilson for clerical services
17.90 from Norman Wilson for photographs
13.01 from Goodwin, Proctor and Hoar for photocopying and postage
53.18 from Ingalls for supplies
Tt was moved, seconded, and so voted to approve payment of these bills.
It was moved, seconded, and voted to adjourn at 12115 P.M.
Philip B. Parsons
Secretary