HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-05-17 ~ •
HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMNICSSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday,
May 17, 1972. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman= Philip
B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graves; Donald J. Shaw; and Associate Com-
missioner Albert T. Pitt. Mr. Pitt was appointed to serve for Georgia H.
Williams who was unable to be present. Mr. Jaquith adjourned the meeting at
755 P.M. from the corridor outside the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building, Lexington to Room G15, Town Office Building, Lexington due to the
la,ek of the key necessary to open the door of the Selectmen's Meeting Room.
Also present was Judith Uhrig of 15 Vine Brook Road representing the League
of Women Voters Observer Corps.
A hearing was held at 8;00 P.M. on the application of the Minute Man
Park Realty Trust for an amendment to Certificate no. 160 issued February 21,
1966 with respect to the erection of a one-story building on the land which
is bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Meriam Street, Depot Square, and Depot
Place, which is within the Battle Green District. Mr. Jaquith read the legal
notice and the application for the amendment. Ernest A. Giroux, Trustee, rep-
resented the applicant. Mr. Giroux stated that they were having a problem
with the six lights of bullseye glass down the middle of the doors which was
approved in the aforesaid Certificate and which is acceptable to the Trustees.
The architect is adamant on having six lights although he has agreed to delete
the bottom one and replace it with a mail slot in all doors except the double
door on Depot Square as the occupant of that store does not require a mail
slot. Their glassman has gone into this problem at great length - he has a
source in Belgium and currently has 60 lights that are 12" x 12" in stock.
The glassman is trying to determine if these i2" x 12" lights can be cut down
in size as the doors will only take three lights of this size. Also the
bullseye glass is rather fragile and the lights might break rather easily.
Mr. Giroux said that he has been told that after January 1, 1973 any broken
lights will have to be replaced with tempered glass lights and currently
bullseye glass lights are not available in tempered glass. He stated that a
glass manufacturer is attempting to make a relatively bullseye glass unit
which would meet their needs but he does not yet know whether it can be done.
He stated that they still prefer the bullseye glass lights but necessity may
require that they change to a different type window light. Mr. Giroux re-
quested permission to add one door at the northeast corner of the building on
Depot Square as they may have to divide the store planned for that area into
two stores. Mr. Giroux also stated that they would like to use a Vermont
slate for the roof rather than the colorbestos approved under the aforesaid
Certificate. He submitted a sample of "Unfading Green Roofing Slate, Finish
3/16" To 1/4", ~i, Chase Roofing Co., Inc., 99 Elm St., Newton., Mass., 244-
5180" and stated that this is like the slate planned for use under the win-
dows. He said that on the Depot Place elevation there would be an access
door to the T-shaped corridor, a double door into the planned hardware store,
and a single door for access to the stairway to the basement T corridor. He
said that they may install lights in arty or all doors to match other windows.
There are six items which they would like considered for amendment to Certifi-
cate No. 160 as follows: 1) Bullseye windows as they do not know whether they
can get these lights or can use them; 2) installation of mail slots in doors
except for double door in place of bottom bullseye light; 3) location of
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HISTORIC DISTRICT3 COMMISSION - 2 May 17. 1972
doorways per sheet A4 of drawing entitled "Elevations - New Central Block,
Lexington, Massachusetts" as revised 5/15/72, three copies of this scale
drawing having been submitted at this hearing; 4) slate roof in place of
asphalt roof; 5) lighting fixtures for loading dock area - submitted illus-
tration of type to be used and requested up to six lighting gixtures; and 6)
use of cove lighting for signs. Mr. Giroux stated that, if cove lighting is
used, lead coated copper cove would be installed under the lead coated copper
gutter and would extend not more than 6" below the gutter. He stated that
the signboards will be 24" high and that completely uniform signs of gold
leaf letters will be required of all tenants. He said that the electric me-
ters will be inside. There is an interior transformer in the loading area
area with a manhole and ladder to reach it. The hearing was adjourned at
9145 P.M.
An informal meeting was held with Roger Zorn of 10 Tavern Lane (Moore
Homes, Lot C Tavern Lane, Certificate No. 210) with respect to the erection
of a deck arrangement from the left end of the house as faces Tavern Lane.
It would be at the end of the house closest to the Munroe Tavern.. He said
that during foliage season this end of the house is barely visible from ei-
ther the Tavern or Massachusetts Avenue. Mr. Zorn said that he would like
to add a 12' x 15' open deck to the house. ~
Mr. Jaquith stated that he has received an application from Mario•s
.Restaurant for a rear sign and that the hearing has been scheduled for 745
P.M. on June 21, 1972.
It was decided to meet at 7s45 P.M. on Wednesday, May 24th, to act on
the applications of the sign for the Golden Hand Fabric Shop at 72 Waltham
Street and on the amendment for The Lexington Mews at 10-12 Muzzey Street.
It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue an amendment to
Certificate of Appropriateness No. 160 to the Minute Man Park Realty Trust
with respect to the number and locations of the doorways for all four eleva-
tions of the building, the substitution of an Unfading Green Roofing Slate
for the colorbestos previously approved, facilities for cove lighting on all
four elevations immediately beneath tkte copper gutters, and the installation
of up to six outside lighting fixtures in the loading area of the Depot
Place elevation. These amendments to Certificate No. 160 are for the build-
ing now being erected on the land bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Mariam
Street, Depot Square, and Depot Place, which is within the Battle Green
District. Participating, in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M.
Jaquith, Chairman; Philip B. Parsons, Secretary; George E. Graves; Donald J.
Shaw; and Associate Commissioner Albert T. Pitt.
The meeting was adjourned at i
Philip B. Parsons
Secretary