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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-08-01 • HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Thursday, August 1, 1974, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, Lex- ington, Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman= Thomas J, Holzbog; Donald J, Shaw; and Associate Commissioners Ruth B, Adams and Amelia G, Samoylenko, Mrs, Adams was appointed to serve for Commissioner Georgia H, Williams who was unable to be present and Mrs, Samoylenko was appointed to serve for Commissioner S. Lawrence Whipple who was unable to serve, Mr, Shaw moved that Mrs, Adams serve as Secretary Pro Tem, seconded by Mrs, Samoylenko, and so VOTED, A hearing was held at 7x40 P,M. on the application of the Lexington Historical Society with respect to removal of the Hancock-Clarke House from its present location at 35 Hancock Street across Hancock Street to 36 Hancock Street and erection of the Hancock-Clarke House on a new foundation at 36 Hancock Street and the addition of a one anti one-half story wing on the build- ing, Mr, Jaquith read the legal notices and application, Roland Greeley, President of the Historical Society, and Charles Cole, Architect, represented the applicant, Also present were S, Lawrence Whipple, Vincent E, and Lillian C. Giuliano of 33 Hancock Street, and Robert R. and Hannah W. Batchelder of 3 Hancock Avenue, Mr, Jaquith stated that the application consists of three parts; two under one notice and the thixtii under the second notice, The first notice is concerned with the Permit for Removal from 35 to 36 Hancock Street, the erection of the House on a new foundation, and the erection of the one and one-half story wing, The second notice is concerned with the install~- tion of a new door on the vault at 35 Hancock Street, Mr, Jaquith stated that the Society has been granted a variance by the Board of Appeals to per- mit moving and erecting of the House on the premises at 36 Hancock Street. Mr, Greeley then stated that this imrolves one building only and that the proposal is to move the Hancock-Clarke House from its 1896 site back to its location in 1775. He said that there would not be a great deal of site loca- tion work as the original site was determined quite closely in the "digs" done in the 1960's, He stated that the earliest information regarding the House is a painting dating to some time after early 1800 which shows two sheds attached to the house, He said that the Society needs additional space to serve as a reception area to accommodate visitors to the House, The Society proposes to build a wing on the relocated House identical on the o h® e r sh w in he fo a en ned Hancock Street elevation t t 11 and ban o n t a r m do painting. On the rear elevation of this wing one shed would be twice the size of the other shed, Mr, Greeley stated that the building was moved in 1896 as the owner of the property wanted it moved off her land, He said that the Historical Society bought land across Hancock Street and moved the House. The property at 36 Hancock Street remained in the Brigham family until the 1960's when it was willed to the Society with the thought that perhaps the Society might want to move the House back to its original site although this was not specifically required in the will of Mrs, Hrigham's granddaughter, He said that the original section was built in 1698, an addition was made in 1734, and another addition was made in 1770. The House was occupied from 1698 to about 1807 by the Rev, John Hancock and the Rev, Jonas Clark, Minis- ters of the First Parish Church, Mr, Cole submitted plot plans and site p • HISTORIC DISTRICTS COIYAffSSION - page 2 August 1, 1974 elevation plans and a prospectus of the House showing it relocated at 36 Hancock Street with the proposed addition, No working drawings were sub- mitted, He said that the House would be placed on some of the cellar holes dug after the property was acquired by the Society, He said that the ex- terior of the first shed would be vertical wood siding with horizontal wood siding on the second shed and that the interior would be fire resistant. Mr. Cole said that the asbestos roof shingles would match as nearly as pos- sible the existing shingles on the House and that asbestos shingles would be used because of fire restrictions. He said that the same wood siding would be used on the rear of the addition, He stated that the windows would be copied from the painting mentioned earlier and that the rear chimney would probably be made smaller to match the chimney in the painting. He said that the windows in the House now have 16 over 12 panes and that they hope eventually to change to 9 over 9 but that this would be a separate application at a later time. He said that all proposed windows are double hung muntined windows except for one diamond pane casement window, He stated that one door of the addition would be "fake" to duplicate the door in the painting. Mr, Cole said that 8-10" of granite foundation show with concrete foundation below the granite and that the. existing foundation will be dupli- i Gated at the relocated site. He said that a concrete foundation will be built under the addition which will be at ground level so that wheelchairs can enter the addition. He said that they will air condition the addition and also the House, He stated that strap hinges will be used on the shed doors and that the door in the shed will be the main entrance door into the House. He stated that the addition will have vertical or horizontal boards joined with shiplapi the ell will have vertical siding and the barn will have horizontal siding. Mr, Holzbog said that he was more concerned with the site plan and parking than with the drawings of the addition.. He said that he feels the site plan needs more development. Mr, Greeley said that they have not developed the site plan yet and that there are no plans for parking, He said that they expect to preserve the major cellar hole. He also said that there would not be any blacktopping but that the driveway might have gravel installed on it. Mr. Greeley said that they were raising money, that con- struction plans have been done, and that they want to get the necessary per- mits so that they can do the cellar excavation at once, Mr. Shaw suggested that perhaps the Commission might issue a Certificate to dig the cellar hole, install the foundation, and move the House and that the addition could be handled by a separate Certificate when working drawings have been submitted to and approved by the Commission. Zfr, Cole said that they plan to start ground breaking about the 15th of September, Mr, Batchelder said that most of the abuttors appreciate the value of moving the House and that their mayor concern is parking and what happens to the driveway. Mr, Jaquith stated that the Commission would have no ,jurisdiction over the driveway if gravel or crushed stone but that the Commission would have 3urisdiction i4' the Society planned to install a macadam drivewa~r, Mr, Batchelder said that he felt the best purpose for the area is the House, Mr, Jaquith said that the Commission could impose a condition concerning the driveway. F1~.rther discussion ensued HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMNIISSION - page 3 August 1, 197 on the type of and need for the driveway. Mr, Greeley said that the drive- way is not very obvious at this time, He would expect that they would im- prove the driveway for use by the staff of the Hancock-Clarke House. He said that the Society has no intention of black topping the driveway or in- stalling s parking area, Mrs, Batchelder said that the presence of auto- mobiles is objectionable to the abuttors and she suggested that perhaps the land to be vacated could be used for parking. Mr. Jaquith said that the Society was not asking for a driveway or parking in these applications, Mr, Jaquith asked if the Society has to have money before starting the pro- ject and Mr, Greeley said "yes", Mr, Cole said that they hope to have enough money in September for the cellar, moving the House, and erection of the addition, Mr, Greeley said that they might build all of the cellar and cover over the foundation for the addition if the money was not available. Mr, Shaw moved that the Commission give informal approval for the moving of the House from 35 to 36 Hancock Street on a suitable foundation for which formal approval will be considered after submission of scale plans and ele- vations. Seconded by Mrs, Samoylenko and so VOTED, The hearing was adjourned at 9:25 P,M, A hearing was held at 9:25 P,M, on the application of the Lexington Historical Society regarding the doorway entrance on the brick vault, Mr, Jaquith read the legal notice and section of the application regarding the vault doorway. Mr, Greeley said that the doorway was about 15' x 25', He submitted a photograph of the other end of the vault, He said that the vault will not be open to the public. He said that they will have to sand- blast the vault and cover with ivy and that they will have to fill in the cellar hole at 35 Hancock Street. He stated that they plan to retain the formal garden. Mr, Cole said that it would be a plain entrance with a walk from the driveway or Hancock Street. Mr, Whipple stated that the driveway primarily belongs to the Society, Mr, Cole said that they expect to retain the sliding door and other existing door and that a kalamine door (wood door with metal over the wood) would be installed, The hearing was adjourned at 9s35 P.M, to August 21st, At 9:~0 P,M, Commissioner S, Lawrence Whipple assumed the seat that Mrs, Samoylenko had occupied during the preceding hearings. A hearing was held at 9x50 P,M, on the application of Stephen Minasian for a sign for the cinema at 10 Muzzey Street, which is within the Battle Green District, Mr, Jaquith read the legal notice and application, Mrs, Samoylenko represented the applicant, She said that the sign will be changed from "Mews Art Cinema" to "Flicks Art Cinema", The word "Mews" will be re- moved, the holes plugged, and the backboard repainted, The word "Flicks" will be installed and new letters of gold leaf raised half round 10" and 15" in height will be installed with the letters "i, 1, and i" to be wide and the letters "F, c, k, and s" wider, The hearing was adjourned at 1Ot15 P,M. HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 4 August 1, 1974 It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Joseph B. and Clara R. Palmer with respect to changes in color in the dwelling at 1508 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Munroe Tavern District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Thomas J, Holzbog, Donald J, Shaw, S, Lawrence Whipple, and Associate Commissioner Ruth B, Adams, It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to The County Bank, N,A, with respect to a change in the existing free standing sign in the grass plot in front of the building on the premises at 1822 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green District, Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M, Jaquith, Thomas J, Holzbog, Donald J, Shaw, S, Lawrence Whipple, and Asso- ciate Commissioner Ruth B, Adams, It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to The County Hank, N,A. with respect to a change in an existing sign on the building at 20 Worthen Road, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Thomas J. Holzbog, Donald J. Shaw, S. Lawrence Whipple, and Asso- ciate Commissioner Ruth B. Adams, It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to the Minute Man Park Realty Trust with respect to the in- stallation of two bronze plaques on the building bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Depot Square, Meriam Street, and Depot Place, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Thomas J. Holzbog, Donald J. Shaw, S, Lawrence Whipple, and Associate Commissioner Ruth B, Adams, Mr, Whipple moved that Mr, Shaw serve as Chairman Pro Tem in the absence of Mr, Jaquith, seconded by Mr, Holzbog, and so VOTED. Mr, Jaquith submitted a bill from Barbara Gilson, Clerk, for July 1974 for $112,20 ($5,70 for postage; $34,50 for meetings and hearings; and $72.00 for clerical services). It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to approve payment of this bill, The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M. 1 ~u.~ ~ d G:~w~-S Ruth B, Adams Secretary Pro Tem