Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-12-08 •r HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMLSSION The Historic Districts Commdssion held a meeting on Wednesday, Decem~ ber 8, 1971, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room,. Town Office Building, Leafing- ton. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Philip B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graves.; Donald J. Shaw; Georgia H. Williams and Associate Commissioners George W. Emery, Albert T. Pitt, and 3. Lawrence Whipple. A hearing was held at 7145 P.M. on the application of Village Artisans, Inc. for a Certificate of Appropriateness with respect to the erection and display of a 7'' high by 19" wide sign beside the doorway entrance to the store at 17 Depot Square, which is within the Battle Green District. Pre- sent for the applicant were Chelly Barron and Midge Spear. Mr. Jaquith read the legal notice, the application fora Certificate, and the action taken by the Board of Appeals approving this petition subject to the condition that the sign by approved by the Historic Districts Commission. Three drawings of the proposed vertical sign and photographs were submdtted. Following dis- cussion, it was determined that the sign should not exceed 16" in width and that the sighboard would have beveled edges. Mr. Shaw stated that he was opposed to vertical signs of any height in a historic district and that grants ing this application would give ground for precedent in the future. Mr. Jaquith said that he had raised a good point and that to his knowledge the Hoard of Appeals had not before approved a vertical sign of this size. Mr. Jaquith added that he believ®s this is the only sure where this problem might arise but that perhaps the Certificate should be issued under the sow called "hardship" clause of the Act which would be one way of protecting the Commission in any applications for signs of this type in the future. The hearing was closed at 8120 P.M. An informal meeting was held with Amelia and Constantino Samoylenka, Trustees of the Lexington Mews Trust owner of the property at 10*~12 Muzzey Street, and C. Harry Erickson, their architect. The owners su~itted photos graphs of the house and rear building which they wish to demolish and then submitted drawings of the building which they are proposing to erect. This would be a three floor building of approadmatsly 12,000 square feet with stores on the first two floors, a small cinema in the basement, and rooms on the third floor for craftsmen with the stipulation that once a week these craftsmen would have to open their rooms to the public. The Lexington News has a lease on the rear building until June 1, 1972 so that demolition of ~ the buildings and erection of a new building cannot begin before that date unless the Lexigngton News relocates prior to that date. Following discussion of the general concept of the desired building, etc., the meeting was ad- journed at 9s37 P.M. Mr. Jaquith submitted a bill for $127.45 ($2.45 for postage and stamps and $125.00 for clerical services) from Barbara Gilson, Clerk. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously YOTED to approve payment of this bill. e . 1 FIISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION -Page 2 Desember 8, 1971 It was stated that Sal Vella has repainted the sign at 1796 Massachu~ setts Avenue, even though no Certificate has. been issued for changing the legend of this sign. Mrs. Williams moved that the application for a Certi» ficate of Appropriateness for the erection and display of a new sign for the store at 1746 Massachusetts Avenue bs denied through failure to prose» cuts the application by not submitting drawings to the Commission as re- quested. The motion was seconded by Mr. Graves and unanimously VOTED. Mr. Shaw withdrew and Mr. Emery was appointed to serve for Mr. Shaw who was unable to sit on the applications of The Supreme Council of The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for a Certificate of Appro- priateness and for a Permit for Demolition Removal. Mr. Jaquith stated that the Commission has received an application for a Permit for Demolition or Removal of the buildings at 1162 Massachusetts Avenue and that the Masons will move the entire pro3ect back 60• to take out of the Historic Districts Commission purview and that a hearing on this new application has been scheduled for December 29th. Following brief dissuasion, Mr. Graves moved and Mr. Emery seconded the motion that a Certificate of Appropriateness ap- proving the application of the Supreme Council of The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the erection of museum and library build- ings as presented by the Chairman be approved. The motion was VOTED unani» mously. Mr. Jaquith then read a Permit for Demolition or Removal. Mrs. Williams moved that a Permit for Demolition or Removal of the buildings on the premises at 1162 Massachusetts Avenue be and hereby is approved as pre- sented by the Chairman. Seconded by Mr. Graves and voted with three voting yes (Mr. Jaquith, Mr. Graves, and Mrs. Williams) and two voting no (Mr. Parsons and Mr. Emery). Mr. Jaquith said that he had talked with Mr. Maxwell and had told him what action had been taken and why at the November 23rd meeting and also told him that an informal vote taken at that meeting would permit demolition if the Supreme Council decided to move the project back out of the Historic District. Mr. Jaquith said that he was reluctant at this time to nullify the Certificate ,just voted as he feels that the layout now planned is the best possible plan for the proposed pro3eat. Mr. Emery then withdrew. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue a Certifiaats of Appropriateness to Village Artisan3, Inc. with respect to the erection and display of a second sign for the store at 17 Depot Square, subject to certain conditions and also that the Certificate be issued under the so»salled "hardship" clause of the Act. Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Philip Parsons, George E. Graves, Donald J. Shaw, and Georgia H. Williams. Mrs. Williams then submitted an article which she had prepared for Part I of the Lexington Town $eport. The meeting was ad3ourned at ].pixy ~/i~`~c~-->--~i~ Philip B. Parsons Secretary