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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-11-03 • HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION The Historic Districts Commission held a meeting on Wednesday, Novem ber 3, 1971, in Room G5 of the Tanm Offioe Building, Lexington. Present were Commmisaioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Philip B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graves; Donald J. Shaw; Georgia H. Williams; and Associate Commis aioner George W. Emery. Also present was Judith TJhrig, a member of the Obi server Corps of the league of Women Voters. The meting was called to order at 8100 P.M. by the Chairman. Mr. Jaquith submitted a bill from Barbara Gilson, Clerk, for $109.w7 (Telephone, $3.69; Postage, $1.05; Hearings and Clerical 3ervioes, $105.00). It was moved, seconded, and unanimously YOR~,D to approve payment of this bill. Mr. Jaquith then read a letter from Ralph J. F'rissore regarding the sliding windows to be installed in the three arches of the Giuliano property at 33 Hancock Street,. which is within the Hancsock-Clarke Diatriet. It was moved, ssoonded, aril unanimously Y07ED that Certificate Ho. 71 Cr35 issued on September 22, 1971 be changed to permit the nss of snap-in permanent wo®d muntins and also to require that "landsoaping oonaiating of shrubs and vin®s oomparable in type and height to the existing landscaping shall be perms neatly maintained in Pront of the three ashes". Participating in tlai.s dew aiaion were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Philip B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graven;,Donald J. Shax; and Associate Commissioner George W. Emery. Mr. Jaquith withdrew and Mr. Shaw assumed the chair to discuss the draw-~ ing submitted by Walter M. Cobe, Ino. which does not have the words "Carroll Perfumer" oentered as 1t is not a aoale drawing. It was moved, seoonded, and unanimously VOTED to change the wording of one sentence of the Certifies Date voted on October 27, 1971 to oonform to the aketoh subadtted. Partite oipating in this deoision were Commissioners Donald J. Shaw, Chairman Pro Tem; Philip B. Persona, Secretary; George E. Graves; Georgia H. Williams; and Associate Commissioner George W. Emery. Then followed s brief discussion on the sign for "Clip & Curl", and it was decided that the sign on the rear of the afore eonld be maintained and displayed in that location and that the sign for the front of the afore should be replaced by a sign identioal dto the sign on the rear of the store. As voted on October 27, 1971, it was moved, aeoonded, and unanimously V07ED to issue a Certificate to Nioholas and Elisabeth Nabardy with respeot to the maintenance, erection, and display of signs for the store at 43 Waltham Street, which is within the B~?ttle Green Distriot. Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Philip B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graves; Donald J. Shaw; and Georgia H. Williams. Hr. Jaquith stated that he had received an extension to November 23, 1971 from flee Scottish Rite Masons. • HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMt~SSION w Page 2 November 3s 1971 Mr. Emery asked if Mr. Jaquith wanted someone to appear at the Board of Appeals hearing on November 9th regarding the exterior vertical sign re-~ quested by Yil].age Artlaans. Mr. Finery said that h® xould attend acid asked for instructions from the Commission as to what, if aiaythiug, he should say at the hearing. It was decided that Mr._Emery should inform the Board. of Appeals that the sign that Yillage Artisans is requesting for the outside of their store has not been approved by the Historic Districts Commission and, if approved by the Board of Appeals, that the approval should be corm tingent upon approval by the Historic Districts Commission and also contin- gent upon no signs being placed inside the doors xhich are visible from the outside. Mr. Jaquith stated that the budget must be submd.tted this xeek. He said that the Town Manager assumes that Mrs, Cole will do more than either Donald E. Nickerson, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, or he had assumed that she would do for the Historic Districts Commission. The Town Manager apparently feels that all legal notices should be prepared by and mailed out by Mrs. Cole. It was decided that Mr. Jaquith should submit the budget on the basis of the 1971 budget but incresae the clerical services account by ly'~. Tt was stated that the Miirute Man Park Realty Trust owners had not yet been in to pink up a building permit although they had applied for one and had let out Mds for the aechanical work. This is for a one-story building for which the Commission issued a Certificate of Appropriateness in Febru- cry 1966, Mr. Shaw withdrer at 9~~+8 P.M. and Mr. Emery was appointed to serve for I, Mr. Shaw who is unable to sit on the Scottish Rite application. Mr. Jaquith began the discussion by submitting three scale drawings of the Massachusetts Avenue elevation. Mr. Emery stated that he would vote against demolition of the house. Mr. Jaquith asked Mr. Emery if he had decided to vote against the entire proposal. Mr. Jaquith stated that, if Mr. Emery had decided to vote against the entire proposal, hs should not sit on the case but that, if he had an open mind on the proposal except for demolition of the houses then it world. be proper for him to serve. Mr. Emery said that he had an open mind on the mnseuier-library complex and that, if the Commission can agree on dram ings that are appropriate, then he would be in favor of the proposal. Mr. Jaquith said that the Commission had given them an informal approval for ds+ molition of the buildings if they submit satisfactory plans for the complex. It was stated that this is not a collection of small buildings and it is not of colonial design. It is a complex of modern structures based on present day standards for museum design. Mrs. Williams said that she feels it is about as "low key" as can be but that she hates to see the character of the area changed. Mr. Jaquith said that the drawings presented have all been of brick buildings and that noone had asked about construction of con«~ Crete block covered with clapboards, He said that he thinks what is approved . ~ • IitBTORIC DISTRICTS CCM~ff89I0N - Page 3 Nrnrember 3, 1971 in an academic community like Cambridge has no bearing on the Act as set up for the Town of Lexington. The East Village District idea was to preaer.e the line of march of April 19, 1775 and also to preserve the business aom~ munity of the 1840's to 1850's when the East Village xas more prosperous than the Center of Lexington. Although dust outside the East Village Die- trict, this house comes within that general category. Mr. Jaquith asked the members of the Commission if they wish to 3eopardize the whole Masonio pro3ect to save one house of no great historical value. Mr. Persona said that he does not think the plan submitted is appropriate. Mr. Jaquith asked him haw it could be changed and Mr. Parsons said that there are no xindows to speak of although the atrnoture will be well hidden by trees. Mr. Jaquith asked him how h® would like it changed and Mr. Parsons said that he would like a colonial structure. Mr. Emery suggested that perhaps dumzgy windows. and false chimneys could be installed on at least the eleva- tions which would be visible from either Massachusetts Avenue or Marrett Road. Mr. Jaquith asked hox it would be possible to take a museum and fit into this type of area considering the current concept of architectural change in museum sts+uctures to allow For good display of museum materials. 'I He asked if the nex aonaepts could be reconciled with a colonial building design. Mr. Parsons asked Mr. Jaquith if he maintained that this building is appropriate for this location and Mr. Jaquith said that xith proper land seeping he felt it world be appropriate. Mrs. Williams said that she was thankfti~7 that the complex plan location had been swung around. Mr. Jaquith said that the Commission could deem the complex inappropriate for the area but issue a Certificate on the "hardship" clause although he stated that he would prefer not to use the clause in this particular area for this project. He said that he feels it caaiea down to xhether or not the Commission Feels that this is of snffiaient importance to the Toxn to go along xith modern architecture. Mr. Graves said that he does not object to the brisk complex but that he would prefer to see more xindows, particularly in the areas that would be visible. Mr. Jaquith said that he feels that the architects can do better on the front elevation, xrs. Williams said that she feels the wirxloxs are the only striking feature and that she is amazed that the building is "so Quiet". Mr. Jaquith said that woodbine would cover the brick in two years as it groxs very rapidly. Mr. Parsons said that, if they xould agree to cover with woodbine, he would go along with the building. Mr. Jaquith said that he was a little bothered by the rooflines becoming monotomous. Iie added that the buildings x311 be quite low in comparison to the other buildings in that area. Mr. Parsons acid that it looks like a hodgepodge xithout xin~ doors and that, iY the architects would introduce more xindoxs, he could go along with the plan. Mr. Graves said that he thixilcs the section that xill shox most predominately is unattractive. Mr. Jaquith said that what th®y are asking for now is general approval of the schematic drawings and the Commission has to decide whether the schematic plan is acceptable or not. f • • a TiISTORIC DIS73~ICT5 COP4iLSSION » Page 4 November 3, 1971 If the Commission feels the schematic plans are unacceptable, then their reasons should be given to t]re Masons arsd. the architects. Mr. Jaquith said that the architects cant to do the entire project at once. Mr. Jaquith said that he thinks that they have designed 'the shields by the windows tc> fit in with the roof. Mr. Graves said that he did not think much of the shields. ?!r. Jaquith said again t1~at the architects want a feeling from the Commission as to whether the schematic plan is possible or impossible. Mr. Graves said that he thought it was a71 right except for the front elevation. Mfrs. Williams said that she thinks they are coming along in the right direction grid that the complex is surprisingly pleasing considering the modern aspects of the project. She said that she is not happy with the front elevation which will be predominant. Mr. Parsons said that scattered windows should be put in where visible. Hrs. Williams acid that it is modern architecture so does not think windows necessary bat that she does not like the front portion. Mr. Emery said that he agreed that the visible building should be different but that the general design is all right. Mr. Jaquith said that the members of the Commission should come up with a change for the nse of the front area and comr].noe Mr. Newbury of this and then perhaps the front predominant building would be changed. Mr. Graves said that, if the architects improve the front, he will go along with the plans. ` The meeting was adjourned at~~- " ?-?.+,,,~,f/ Philip B. Parsons secretary