HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-05-03 HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday,
May 3, 1972. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Philip
B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graves; Donald. J. Shaw; Georgia H. Williams:
and Associate Commissioners Albert T. Pitt and 3. Lawrence Whipple. Mr.
Jaquith called the meeting to order at 7345 P.M. in the corridor outside of
the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building., Lexington and adjourned
the meeting to Room Gi$, Town Office Building, Lexington due to the lack of
the key necessary to open the door of the Selectmen`s Meeting Room.
Mr. Jaquith stated that the Continental Trust sign application was being
withdrawn.
A hearing was held at 7x55 P.M. on the application of The Lexington Mews
Trust for an amendment to Certificate of Appropriateness No. 72 C-3 issued by
the Commission on March 11, 1972 for the erection of a building at 10-12
Muzzey Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Present for the
applicant were Amelia Samoylenko, Trustee, and .architects Herbert W. Eisenberg
and Arthur T. Smith of Eisenberg Associates. Also present were Roland Gubisch
of 627 Massachusetts Avenue, Mrs. Mary Dentler of 9g Follen Road, and Mrs.
Judith Uhrig of 15 Vine Brook Road representing the League of Women Voters.
Mr. Jaquith read the legal notice and the application. The architects sulr
muted three scale drawings of the proposed building and discussed the changes
made. The roof is to consist of asphalt shingles with three dormer windows
facing the courtyard. There will. be gutters and downspouts. They want to
bring the line of the pitched roof up higher to screen all mechanical units,
etc. which will be installed on the roof. The basement is to consist of a
319 seat theatre, ticket room, projection room, lavatories, etc. all below
ground and the entrance will be from the oourtyard. It was stated. that in the
final plans they may extend the basement, probably for storage space for the
shops above. The first #"loor will consist of shops, a tearoom with outdoor
dining, and all walks installed by the Trust will be of brick. It was stated
that the sidewalk on the Muzzey Street elevation will depend on the Town. The
second floor will consist of a restaurant seating 12,5 people for which they
already have secured a special liquor license, a gallery, exhibition area, and
shops. The central portion will be only two stories high and skylights will
be installed for the restaurant and gallery. 'The three story gable ends will
probably be of brick rather than wood. Mr. Eisenberg said that he feels that
they will receive permission from the Board of Selectmen to remove the fence
between the property line and the parking area in the rear of the building.
Considerable discussion ensued regarding permanent wood muntins for all win-
doves and the consensus of opinion of the members of the Commission was that
they would prefer permanent wood muntins to snap~in muntings. Mr. Gubisch
stated that he feels that the snap-in muntins look cheap where used in commerce
cial establishments and that they appear to be superficial, Mrs.$?molyenko
stated that the heating and air conditioning bills ~ri:ll be several hundred
dollars a year more without Anderson thermopane windows which are not avail-
able with permanent muntins and also that window cleaning bills would be con-
siderably more with permanent muntins. It was stated that the snairin muntins
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HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMkIISSION - 2 May 3. 1972
are available in three stylesi plastic flat muntin, wood flat muntin, and
wood muntin finished on both sides. A rendering done by Mrs. Samolyenko
was shown. The color scheme will be the same as that previously approved.
There will be a soldier brick course on top of the windows and a rowlock on
sills of the windows. They are thinking of wrought iron railing with wooden
hand rail for the courtyard side. Mr. Eisenberg said that they would have
to have a hearing on signs plus other minor changes, such as possible change
of doorways. It was stated that the trash area would be enclosed by a
wooden fence. The hearing was adjourned at 940 P.M.
Mrs. Dentler presented letters from area residents against the proposed
changes of the Continental Trust building at 703 Massachusetts Avenue. Mr.
Jaquith told her that he understood this application was being withdrawn and
that he had so announced at the beginning of tonight's meeting.
Mr. Shaw reported on the Study Committee which has been appointed to
look into extending Historic Districts as suggested by Robert Lyon. He
stated that Selectman Sanborn Brown is Chairman of the Committee and that
the Planning Board has made a proposal to the Board of Selectmen.. The Study
Committee would like to have the Historic Districts Commission determine
what priorities the members of the Commission might give to various possi-
bilities. The possibilities suggested so far aret extension of the Battle
Green District to the Minute Man Park at Wood Street; possibilit3t of explor-
ing individual houses (Historic Sites is new thought of State); easterly end
of Massachusetts Avenue which would be most difficult but shoed be taken
care of. Mr. Jaquith said that he was not concerned about anything new if
just the present districts were extended as the Commission would be able to
have more controls since the concept of Historic Districts is now accepted
but administratively would be difficult to handle. He stated that the Study
Committee would have to report to the Board of Selectmen, then any Amendments
of the Act would have to go before Town Meeting, be approved by Town Meeting,
and finally voted by the General Court of Massachusetts with the bill signed
by the Governor. Mr. Parsons said that he thought spot locations might be
more important as some of these might never come into a Historic District.
Mrs. IIhrig said that she would like to see the Town protected from any new
buildings such as Denny's Restaurant or. Bedford Street. It was stated that
after the 1972 Town Meeting the control of restaurants now rests with the
Board of Appeals which might help prevent other similar restaurants from be-
ing constructed. Mr. Shaw asked what "teeth" the Historic Districts Commis-
sion had and Mr. Jaquith answered that only by the Building Inspector after
issuance or disapproval of a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Whipple
asked what we would be protecting in the East Village as there are no his-
torical houses in East Lexington beyond the present East Village District tv
protect. It was stated that there was nothing to protect except to keep it
from becoming worse than it now is. Mr. Whipple stated that Bedford Street
is far more important as there are several important historical houses, such
as Simonds Tavern. Mr. Jaquith stated that the present Commission could
handle the area on Bedford Street as far as Route 128. Mr. Pitt said that
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HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMI~SSION - 3 - May 3, 1972
he thought the idea of protecting old houses all over the Town was excellent
but that it would have to be studied. Mr. Whipple asked what the extent of
the Minute Man Park was and said that he felt we should protect up to the
Park property. He also said that the two Bridge houses on Marrett Road are
old and should be protected. Mr. Jaquith asked how many would like to add
the area from Hastings Park to the Minute Man Park to the Battle Green Dis-
trict and Mrs. Williams and Mr. Whipple said that they would. Mr. Pitt asked
how it would be possible to protect old houses and said that perhaps now is
the time to branch out from the 200' each side of the Districts concept. Mr.
Shaw said that perhaps the Commission should change its rules and regulations
and that, if too much new area is added, the Commission would have to be en-
larged, i.e. have one group to handle color changes, another to handle signs,
another to handle exterior architectural changes, another to handle new build-
ings, etc. Mr. Jaquith said that he would suggest extending from Hastings
Park to the Minute Man Park; Bedford Street in some fashion, perhaps to Route
1281 and Waltham Street to at least Worthen Road or possible Marrett Road= but
that he would not recommend extending the East Pillage District. He said that
he feels protecting old houses is most important. It was stated that a survey
of old houses in Lexington had been done by the Massachusetts Historical Com-
mission and that Edwin Worthen had done one for the Lexington Historical Soci-
ety. Mrs, Uhrig was asked if the League of Women Voters would consider a
study of old houses in Lexington and she stated that she felt it was out of
the jurisdiction of the League as their program has to do with governmental
processes. Following discussion, four priorities were agreed upon as followss
scattered houses such as the Bridge houses on Marrett Road, Bedford Street to
Route 128, Waltham Street to Marrett Road, and Massachusetts Avenue to the
Minute Man Park.
Mr. Jaquith then stated that he felt the Commission should elect a Chair-
man and a Secretary. Mrs. Williams moved that Mr. Jaquith serve as Chairman,
seconded by Mr. Graves, and unanimously VOTED by the members present with Mr.
Jaquith abstaining from voting. Mr. Shaw moved that Mr. Parsons serve as Sec•
rotary, seconded by Mr. Graves, and unanimously VOTED with Mr. Parsons not voting.
Mr. Jaquith stated that the Board of Appeals had approved a hanging sign
for the Harrison store at 72 Waltham Street but had cut down the size of the
sign. He stated that an application had been received to demolish the garage
and install parking spaces in the rear of the building and that a hearing has
been scheduled for June 1, 1972.
Mr. Ja uith submitted a bill from Barbara Gilson, Clerk, for April 1972
for $45.90 $45.00 for clerical services and $,90 for postage). It was moved,
seconded, and unanimously VOTED to approve payment of this bill.
The meeting was adjourned at ~J
Philip B. Parsons
Secretary