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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-09-09 HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION September 9, 1971 The Historic Districts Commission held a meeting on Thursday, September 9, 1971, in the Bird Room of the Cary Memorial Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Philip B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graves; Georgia H. Williams; and Associate Commissioners George W. Emery, Albert T. Pitt, and S. Lawrence Whipple. Commissioner Donald J. Shaw declined to serve in this case as he is a member of the Scottish Rite although he was in the audience. Mr. Emery was appointed to sit for Pi. Shaw. A hearing was held at 7:35 P.M. on the application of the Supreme Council of The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry for a Permit for Demoli- tion or Removal of the buildings on the premises at 1162 Massachusetts Avenue, and for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the erection of a museum and library building on said premies, which are within the Munroe Tavern District. Mr. Jaquith read the legal notice and the application for the Permit for Demo- lition or Removal and for the Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Jaquith then stated that for the record he wished to state that Commissioner Donald J. Shaw is a member of the Scottish Rite and therefore is not sitting on this case. Three other Commissioners, Wilbur M. Jaquith, George E. Graves, and Philip B. Parsons, are Masons but not members of the Scottish Rite so do not feel there is a conflict of interest. There was no objection from the floor concerning the above three Commissioners serving on this case. Present for the Scottish Rite were: George A Newbury, Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Buffalo, New York; Stanley F. Maxwell, Executive Secretary of the Supreme Council; Laurence E. Eaton, Grand Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Needham; Hugh Shepley, Jean Paul Carlhian, Donald Tellalian, John Kanastab, and Max Ferro of the architectural firm of Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson, and Abbott. Donald E. Nickerson, Chairman of the Board of Appeals; Stephen Politi, reporter from the Lexington Minute-Man; and approximately 50 abuttors or inter- ested citizens were also in attendance. htr. Newbury stated that the Scottish Rite is a branch of the Masons; that there is a Supreme Council in most countries of the world; that in the United States there are two Supreme Councils, a Northern District and a Southern District; and that in the Northern District there are about 520,000 members {Pennsylvania has over 100,000, followed by Ohio and other midwest states). Fifty years ago the headquarters of the Northern District of the Scottish Rite was moved to the Statler Office Building from New York City. About four years ago they purchased the former Carter property and moved their headquarters to ' Lexington. They propose to build a museum and library complex on the former Smith property. This will not be strictly Masonic but will be a general and historical museum and the library will be more scholarly. The museum and auditorium in particular would be available to the public. Mr. Jaquith asked if there were any questions from the floor. One person asked,. if as a non- profit organization, would you pay taxes. Mr. Newbury said no and added that a separate organization would be set up for the proposed museum and library com- plex which would be tax exempt. Mr. Shepley then took the floor and stated that his architectural firm had been retained several months ago to prepare preliminary drawings. He stated that they have met informally with the Historic Districts Commission, the Board of Selectmen, and the Planning Board. An overlay plan was shown which showed ! • September 9, 1971 - page 2 the proposed complex in relation to the present house and barn for which a Per- mit for Demolition or Removal is sought. He stated that before starting to design the complex, they had taken photographs of all of the buildings in the area. The size, roof pitches, and materials seem to be of major consideration in the complex they are trying to design. He stated that this will not be a colonial building as they do not believe good to do imitation of colonial build- ings. They will retain the meadow and trees on the property. (Before leaving at 7:55 P,Nl., Joseph R_ Cotton of 123 Marrett Road told Mr. Emery that he thinks the buildings should be razed.) Mr. Carlhian stated that there are several factors involved as follows: 1. Existing topography must be preserved. 2. Trees are one of most important features of the property.. 3. Structure hidden behind trees and in a hollow. 4. Building comprises 80,000 square feet with 30.000 as storage underground. 5. Entrances further down Marrett Road and service entrance which is one way and also further down the Road. 6. Parking lot for 135 cars in rear of Carter property in meadow behind hill. 7. Building is series of small elements with none longer than 40 or 50 feet in length. All have pitched roofs; none of the ridgepoles are more than 34 feet above grade. 8. Courtyard for planting will sit above storage area. There will be four exhibition galleries, auditorium for 400 people which is located furthest away, and also a research library. It will be a meandering building hidden behind trees. It will be of red brick with copper roof colored to a dark gray. It was again stated the plans are still in preliminary stage. A question was asked if the architects had any elevation sketches. Mr. Jaquith replied yes and then asked if the architects would go through these and then the hearing would return to questions if there were any. It was stated that the buildings would be 140 feet or more from Massachu- setts Avenue and 55 feet or more from Marrett Road. It was said that, if you draw in the trees, you don't see the buildings and, if draw buildings, you do not see the trees on the propserty. The architects showed two sketch plans and also photo taken of the house from the Fiskes'yard across the Avenue from I~ the property. It was stated that they realize the property will be visable coming up Massachusetts Avenue from the East Village area. It was said that from certain angles the model was deceiving. Mrs. Robert Prescott of 2 Forest Street asked if the model could be placed on the table rather than up on chairs. The model was carried around so that the elevations could be seen from below eye level and therefore without the trees. Mr. Tellalian submitted three sets of scale plans of the proposed exterior plans. It was stated that they intend to preserve row of arbor vitae shrubs between the Carter and Smith properties. Mr. Shepley said that in general what they tried to do was preserve trees and open property. Mr. Jaquith stated that the Commission had general idea pro- posed in informal way in earlier meetings. 1 1 . • September 9, 1971 - page 3 Kingston Howard of 5 Gould Road asked, "What privileges will be given to the Lexington Historical Society or other semi-town organizations?" Mr. Maxwell said that he told Mrs. Morey that they would offer one gallery to the Lexington Historical Society until the Society obtains its own museum. He said that they understood that the Historical Society has materials stored in various places, and they have offered the Society storage space. He said that they would make the auditorium available to any eligible organization. Mr. Howard asked, "What is the target date?" Mr. Maxwell stated that their goal is to have the dedica- tion of this complex in 1975. Frederick Davis of 1123 Massachusetts Avenue asked if the parking lot would be seen from either Massachusetts Avenue or Plarrett Road. It was stated that it will not be seen from either hassachusetts Avenue or Marrett Road. Claude Lustig of 40 Marrett Road stated that windows in his home are about 15' above Marrett Road and asked if the parking lot would be visible from these windows. It was stated that the parking lot would not be visible as there was a 10' drop to the parking lot and that the Masons do not expect too many cars at any one time. William Bowen of 118 Marrett Road asked what the auditorium would be used for. Mr. Maxwell said that at this time they have no specific plans for the auditorium, that it will be available for lectures, and perhaps in the future they might have automated films such as are shown in the Little Theatre in Williamsburg. Mr. Bowen asked if there were plans to hold conventions here, and Mr. Newbury said that there were no plans for holding conventions at this loca- tion and that the area would not be large enough for conventions. Paul Greene of 85 Marrett Road said that he could see a number of benefits ~ to the Town, etc. Since the Masons are a nontax paying organization, the Town will have to provide some services to the organization. He said that he was concerned about future development of the property and asked if it would be ~ changed at a later date by adding to it. He said that maybe in the future this could be a problem and also he was concerned about the traffic problems. Mr. ~ Newbury said that he cannot made such a promise but that he does not expect to change the current ideas. II Professor Martin Kilson of 4 Eliot Road said that he felt they were clearly playing down the institution's plans and asked what the future use would be. Mr. Newbury stated that they have no intentions of doing anything other than using as headquarters and for the proposed museum-library-auditorium complex. Mr. Newbury stated that they are interested in being good citizens in this his- toric town. Donald E. Nickerson of 49 Somerset Road, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, said that it will be necessary for the Masons to petition the Board of Appeals to use the property for this proposal. He stated that the Board of Selectmen have advised him that they do not believe that library and museum usage will require rezoning. He added that, if the Board of Appeals grants the petition, there will be conditions limiting the usage to this. He ended by stating that zoning discussion is not germane to the discussion tonight. September 9, 1971 - page 4 hirs. Anna Quinlan of 2 Eliot Road presented a letter from Mrs. Robert Naun of 5 Pelham Road. Mrs. Quinlan said that she wanted to know how they will get all the necessary bulldozers, trucks, etc. in to the construction and still maintain the trees. Mr. Shepley and Mr. Carlhian both stated that it would be difficult but both feel it can be done so long as the contractor is careful and there is good supervision requiring the preservation of the trees. It was stated that different parts of the building will be at different heights. Mr. Carlhian said that it will be put in the specifications that trees must be pre- served. Mr. Newbury said that one of thie major insturctions was that the trees had to be preserved. Bernard Huang, hi. D. of 8 Tricorne Road asked who are Masone, who can qual- ify, and how do they propose to solve the parking problem. Dr. Huang stated that he thinks more than 135 cars might be there at some times, and he asked what would be done in that case. He also asked if the building would be good for Lexington. Mr. Carlhian said that, if there were a large meeting with more that 135 cars present, they could utilize the sides of the roads for parking. He also said that, if it were found necessary, they could expand the parking lot by one more area. Dr. Huang then said that he was afraid the use will be for only specific groups. Warren Chafe of 1109 Massachusetts Avenue said that they had been looking at the Nunn-Smith house fo 29 years and that he does not see anything beautiful in that house and stated that he is in favor of the Maonic project. Roland Gubisch of 627 Massachusetts Avenue said that he thought the archi- tects had chosen materials well and that it is an attractive complex. He asked if this isn't changing the character of the neighborhood. He said that we have been given only one side of visibility at this time and that there is a striking view of the house coming up the Avenue from East Lexington. He feels that the strong impact of the amount of the buildings and of their size will be con- siderable on the neighborhood. He thinks it is attractive but he fears that eventually we will be surrounded by complexes of buildings in many neighborhoods. Mr. Carlhian sais that it will be prominent and that this is a preliminary study design and that they are willing to study the design further. The model shows that it will be visible. Robert Custance of 88 Hancock .Street said that he has always lived in Lex- ington and that he feels that this building keeps open an area concept. He thinks this is wonderful and good that the back area will stay as is. He said that he does not feel it will add appreciably to the tax rate as the buildings have to be fireproof. He added that this auditorium is not large enough for national conferences. Walter Pierce of 16 Trotting Horse Drive, an architect and member of the Design Advisory Committee, said that he thought it was very commendable, Ben- Bible, and a good approach from an architectural viewpoint. He said that there is a sensitivity to the site in the way it has been handled. Mr. Jaquith said that there had been no mention of the Nunn-Smith house in the presentation. Mr. Shepley said that the overlay showed that part of the building is where the house and barn are located. These are of wood construction, not fireproof, the house has small rooms, and his clients are requesting a Per- mit for Demolition or Removal of the house and barn. September 9, 1972 - page 5 William Bowen of 118 Marrett Road asked what the historical significance of the Nunn-Smith property was and was there anything to make the house of historic value. Mr. Jaquith said that there was not and read from Charles Hudson's 1868 edition of the "History of Lexington". Pir. Jaquith then read material which he had prepared for the February 14th meeting of the Commission regarding the history of this house. The first paragraph states: "Charles Nunn, born in Boston on September 28, 1818, married Susan Pierce of Lexington, daughter of Nathaniel and Abigail Pierce, on May 8, 1854. He built a house on the parcel of land at the junction of the streets now known as Massachusetts Avenue and Marrett Road but in the 1850's called Main Street and the road from Lincoln to Boston which the Selectmen later in that decade named Middle Street. A record of the exact year of the actual construction of this house has not- yet. - been found_ According to Mr. Edwin Worthen, the house was built after 1853 but before the Civil War. A study of existing plans, maps and records hereinafter explained appear to establish that the house was built in either 1855 or 1856." William Dailey of 114 Marrett Road said that his family had been there since 1861 and that he was representing and speaking for his family at this hear- ing. He said that they were disappointed 4-5 years ago when signs of house lots available were put up on the former Carter property, and they were pleased when the property was purchased in one piece. From a conservation standpoint this will keep open land that otherwise could not be kept open. It is a large parcel of land and in the past when large estates like this have been sold there have been many small houses erected on the property. He and his family feel this would be an asset and they abhor the thought of losing this open land. They favor this proposal and believe it will be good for the town. Dr. Huang asked how close the third access to the property is to Tricorne II Road. It was stated that the road is just above Follen Road. Mr. Bowen said that Tricorne Road was about 200' down Marrett Road which is not straight in that area. It was stated that they might want to adjust the road locations. Charles Schock of 8 Marrett Road said that he would like to second expres- sions of open space. He said that he would like to see the Nunn-Smith house remain but that no one has volunteered to buy and preserve the house. He said that he would like to know about the future use of the property and specifi- i cally the Carter property. Mr. Maxwell stated that the Nunn-Smith property was not available earlier. Mr. Newbury said that they acquired the Carter property with the intention of making it their headquarters. When they moved in, they liked the open area but had no intention at that time of putting up any other buildings. Mr. Newbury said that there are 4,000,000 Masons and just over 1,000,000 members of the Scottish Rite which is a charitable, educational, and cultural organization with expenditures in excess of $200,000,000. Masons believe in God. Mr. Newbury said that they want to keep the property and can see no change except to land- scape and that they are willing to discuss changes in the roads to make most suitable for the Town. Christine Ammer of 5 Tricorne Road asked what the proportion of buildings to land would be. It was stated that approximately 14g of the Nunn-Smith prop- erty would contain buildings. ~ • i September 7, 1971 - page 6 Mr. Gubisch stated that the point had been made that the Nunn-Smith house has no particular historic interest and said that, if it is torn. down and re- placed with ranch houses,this would change the area. He added that he feels it is inevitable that in time this area will be covered with buildings, etc. Mr. Newbury said that he was ready to guarantee that they would never erect a skyscraper in this town. He said that New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and only a few other cities are large enough for them to hold their convention and that they would never hold a convention here. He added that Boston is inadequate for the conventions held in Boston every three years. Mr. Newbury said that they expect to obtain exhibits on loan but could not maintain the necessary security in the house. Mr. Jaquith asked Mr. Shepley if they have considered incorporating the house in the general program and perhaps they could make small reading room areas in the house. A1r. Shepley said that there was no way possible to incorporate the house into this project and that it interferes with their plans and that the con- struction is completely different. Mr. Carlhian added that now that they have made changes in the layout to retain the meadow, it would be impossible to retain the house as it is not fireproof or suitable for conversion. He said that they did look into possibilities of incorporating the house but they are firm in their intention to have the house demolished. Mr. Bowen asked if the Nunn-Smith house would interfere with the complex, and Mr. Shepley stated that it would. Mr. Bower~asked if it would be possible to preserve as a shield and could it be used as a caretaker's house. Mr. Carlhian replied that this house could not retain any appeal if it were put up against the proposed complex. Luigi DiNapoli of 62 Taft Avenue asked what type of library was planned. Mr. Newbury said that it will be a research library and that they were planning space for 65-75,000 volumes. He stated that they hope that some of the books in the library would be available for the general public. I Bruce Cail of 43 Marren Road said that he lives on the headquarters prop- erty and maintains the property and that he feels the proposed plan is a good one. Mr. Lustig asked how far the driveway was being moved, and Mr. Carlhian ~ answered that it was being moved approximately 40 feet. Mr. Parsons asked what materials would be used in the exterior construe- tion, and Mr. Shepley said that it would be of red brick with pitched roofs of copper oiled a dark brown. Mr. Jaquith asked about windows and Mr. Shepley said that he could not answer that question at this time as it is too detailed. Mr. Carlhain said that there will be a limited number of windows. Someone asked what the cost was expected to be, and it was stated that it would be approximately $6,000,000. • September 9, 1971 - page 7 Mr. Jaquith asked if it was planned to leave the meadow on the Massachusetts Avenue side as it is, and Mr. tvlaxwell said that they will keep the meadow as is, that they will keep the grass cut, and might replace or add a few trees. Mr. Jaquith stated that the status of the Historic Districts Commission pro- ceedings depends somewhat on the Board of Appeals and added that the Commission does not yet have drawings that it can act on. He asked Mr. Shepley if they expect to have drawings by September 30th for the Commission to act on, and Mr. Shepley said that the plans are not final as are but they are working on plans. Mr. Pierce said that as an architect with the outcome in doubt he feels that these are adequate preliminary drawings, that they are detailed and tell him a great deal about the proposed complex. Mr. Jaquith said that, assuming the Commission grants a Permit for Demoli- tion based on a Certificate of Appropraiteness being issued, the Commission needs to have final exterior plans in order to issue a Certificate as the Certificate would be based on the plans before the Commission. If exterior changes are to be made, then the Commission is required to hold another hearing and issue an amendment to the Certificate. Exterior architectural features have to conform to the Certificate issued when a building permit is secured. Mr. Newbury said that they have already spent between $35-40,000 in architectural fees in hopes the Permit for Demolition and the Certificate of Appropriateness will be granted. Mr. Jaquith again stated that the Commission is concerned with the exterior lay- out of the complex. Mr. Pierce said that he would estimate that 4-6 months of heavy work by the architects and engineers would be necessary before the contract drawings would be ready. The hearing was adjourned at 11:10 P.M. Mr. Jaquith submitted two bills as follows: Ingalls $38.47 (supplies $15.47 and typewriter cleaned and repaired $23.00) and Barbara Gilson, Clerk $108.45 for clerical services and postage. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to approve payment of the two bills. I Mr. Jaquith stated that he would like to have a meeting on Tuesday, Septem- ber 14th, in advance of the meeting scheduled for September 15th on the Central ~ Block and requested that the members be considering this building. I rir. Jaquith stated that he had received a letter from Dean Nicholson stating i that the Department of Public Safety requires that metal frames and sash be used for ~ elevator vents. Following a brief discussion, it was moved, seconded, and unani- mously VOTED that Mr. Jaquith advise Mr.Nicholson that the substitution of metal frame and sash for wooden frames is all right as the material was not specified in the original Certificate. Following discussion, "It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED that the Commission issue a Certificate approving the maintenance of the three air conditioning units and the transformer in the existing unit except that the loca- tion of the top unit must be moved to location on the drawing." i • September 9, 1971 - page 8 Following discussion, it was decided to issue a Certificate for the main- tenance of these units only under the hardship clause in the Historic Districts Act and that it would be necessary to apply for another Certificate for any new units. The Commission VOTED to issue a Certificate under the hardship clause of Section 9 of the Act. There followed a brief dicussion on the signs for Anthony's Restaurant. The meeting was adjourned at 12:12 P.h1. Philip B. Parsons Secretary