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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-16 ----T. HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednes- day, February 16,'1977, in Room G15, Town Off~.ce Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chairman; Georgia H. Williams, Secretary; S. Lawrence Whipple; Acting Commissioner John R, Packard; and Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. Mr. Hooper was appointed to serve for Commissioner Amalia G. Samoylenko who xas unable to be present.. A hearing was held at 7:$2 Y.M. on the application of Robert Levine d~b~a~ robert international with respect to the erection and display of a sign for the store at 3 Meriam Street, xhich is within the Battle Green District,. Mr. Jaquith read the legal notice and application. Linda Hinkson of robert international submitted three scale drawings by Metal Letters Corporation (Carl Severo) of the proposed sign. They propose using all lower case letters as this is xhat they use o,n their letter- heads, etc. 10" letters of gold leaf, roman style will be used for the letters "b, t, t, t, 1" and the other letters will be 6" high gold leaf, roman style letters. Mr. Hooper asked why the lower case letters and Linda Hinkson replied that their business was contemporary jewelry and the small letters seem more contemporary. She said that they import some and make some of their jewelry. Mr. Hooper said that he thinks it looks as if something was left off.. Mr. Jaquith said that he agreed but that this type of sign is not unusual today, Mr. Whipple said that lower case letters take less space and that this is a fairly narrow store front. Mr. Jaquith said that the store front is 19'6" in width. Mr. Whipple asked if the previous sign has been removed and Linda Hinkson said that it was removed the end of December. Mr. Whipple asked the Chairman if Ernest Giroux will plug holes from previous sign and repaint the back- board. Mr. Jaquith repl7:ed that he believed that both things would have to be done. He said that he understands that Mr. Giroux wants to paint the fascia board a different color. Mr. Jaquith said that the Commission should probably put in the certificate that the holes are to be plugged and the fascia repainted where necessary to cover color change. The hearing was closed at 8:08 F.M. Upon motion made by Mr. Whipple and seconded by Mrs. Williams, it was unanimously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Robert Levine d~b~a robert international with respect to the erection and dis- play of a sign for the store at 3 Meriam Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Georgia H. Williams, S. Lawrence Whipple, Acting Com- missioner John R. Packard, and Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. Commissioner Amalia G. Samoylenko arrived at this point and took her seat. A hearing was held at 8s18 P.M. on the application of Jeffrey Alpert for a Certificate of Appropriateness with respect to changes in the exte- rior architectural features of the building at 703 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the East Village District. Mr. Jaquith read the legal HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 2 February 16, 1977 notice and application. Mr. Alpert submitted photographs of the build- ing. He stated that he had requested permission to install txo track white baked enamel aluminum storm windows but that the two track xindows are no longer available, Therefore, he wishes to install three track windows but stated that the screen sections would not be installed. Mr. Jaquith asked if he wanted to install on all windows and Mr. Alpert said all windows except the bay window. Mr. Whipple asked what would be done with the lower section in the summer and Mr. Alpert said that it xould be stored in the upper section. Mr. Jaquith then discussed the location of window installations as follows: front elevation, 1st floor - 1 and 2nd floor -5; east elevation, 1st floor - 3, 2nd floor - 3, 3rd floor - 3; west elevation, 1st floor - 1, 2nd floor - 2, 3rd floor - 2; and rear elevation - none as only window on that elevation which is on the 2nd floor has a window air conditioner unit, Mr. Jaquith asked Mr. Alpert if he had considered alternatives and stated that this is one of the most important historic buildings in Lexington. Mr. Alpert said that he wants to maintain the historic characteristics of the building. Mr. Whipple asked if wood storm windows are still made and Mr. Alpert said that the person he had talked with does not sell them and does not know where any could be obtained. He added that storm windows would be an advantage to the building as would cut his fuel bill in the winter and would cut down on the cost of the central air conditioning in the summer. He said that the attic is heated as it is ued for storage by the second floor tenant, Mr. Jaquith asked if he could put storm windows on the inside of the windows and said that casement xindows have interior storm screen windows. Mr. Jaquith stated that the Commission approved a spe- cial lexan storm window for the Buckman Tavern which have to be off the windows between April 18 and October 15. Mr. Alpert said that the two apartments in the rear have this same triple track combination window. Mr. Jaquith asked what condition the window sashes are in and Mr. Alpert said that they seem to be sound and in good condition. Mr. Hooper asked how old the building is and Mr. Alpert said that the plaque on the build- ings gives a date of 1825, Mr. Jaquith said that the Calendar History of Lexington shoxs 1830 and Mr. Whipple said 1829, Mr. Alpert said that the attic still has the old grain wheel and trap door. Mr. Jaquith sand that, if have combination window and raise the bottom section up in the summer, would lose some protection and Mr. Alpert said that the tenants probably would want the bottom section down. Mr. Alpert asked if it was possible to see any difference in appearance between wood and aluminum and was told that there is some difference, particularly because of mun- tins. Mr. Packard asked what the windows would cost and Mr. Alpert said about $30,00 each. Mr. Jaquith asked what the sill situation is on the inside of the building and Mr. Alpert said that it was variable depending on where abouts one was in the building, Mr. Jaquith said that he xas not very much enchanted with putting combination windows on that histori- caI building as this would be changing the architectural features of the building and getting away from the authenticity of the building. Mr. Hooper said that he thinks an old building, if used, has to be made secure and that he cannot see anything against combination windows. Mr. Jaquith asked if this is the best way to accomplish this with this HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 3 February 16, 1977 building. Mr. Whipple asked what condition the xindows are in and Mr. Alpert reeled that some are reasonably tight. Mr. Alpert said that he would like to match the combination windows that are on the apartment xindows. This would be an investment of between $700 and $800 xithout doing the bow window on the first floor front elevation, and he said that a custom job could. be four times that or more. Mrs. Williams said that she does not think it would be too objectionable. Mr. Whipple asked why screens are more objectionable than storm windows and Mr. Alpert said that the difference in color of screens shows. Mr. Jaquith asked if he xould object to having a condition in the certificate that the storm win- dows must be removed in the summer and Mr. Alpert said that he wants the storm windows in the summer because of the air conditioning. The hearing xas adjourned at 9:12 P.M. Mr. Jaquith withdrew. It was moved, seconded, and VOTED that Com- missioner S. Laxrence Whipple serve as Chairman Pro Tem. Associate Com- missioner Oliver F. Hooper was appointed to serve for Mr. Jaquith. A hearing xas held at 9s18 P.M. on the application of the Cambridgeport Savings Bank .with respect to changes in the architectural features of the building and the erection and display of signs on the building at 1?51 Massachusetts Avenue, which is xithin the Battle Green District. Mr. Whipple read the legal notice and application. John Kendall Mitchell, Architect, and George Wilson. Vice President and Treaurer of Cambridge- port Savings Bank, represented the applicant. Also present xere Anne Grady, Elizabeth Reinhart, and Richard Morehouse of the Lexington His- torical Commission. Mr. Whipple stated that an informal meeting had been held the previous week at which time the Commission had reviewed drawings of the proposed changes and had discussed these xith the two representa- tives of the Bank. Mr. Mitchell submitted three sets of scale drawings of the proposed changes which incorporated suggestions made at the in- formal meeting. Mr. Whipple stated that the sign of the previous tenant had been removed and that brick to match existing brick would be in- stalled where the transom is. He stated that new muntined xindows and a new door would be installed. 8" aide tongue and groove boarding to re- place the marblized base will be installed. Mr. Whipple stated that one of the major concerns of the Commission members is matching the existing brick. He also said that drawings of the proposed signs had not been submitted previously. Mr. Mitchell said that brick instead of poured concrete would be used in front of the door which is to be recessed and also in front of the recessed windox. He stated that the hardware on the door would be brass and that lighting would be installed in the soffits. Mr. Whipple asked what they proposed for the signs and Mr. Mitchell said that they were proposing 1 1~2" deep stainless steel enameled white let- ters mounted 1~2" off the store front. He said that the largest letter would be 12" in height and the others 8" in height. Mr. Whipple asked why they planned to use white enamel letters. Mr. Mitchell said that the letters would be put on the existing brick and that the muntined window sash and the boarding below the front windows would be white so they wanted to keep the letters white also. He said that they might have to HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 4 February 16, 1977 use a thinner letter, such as 1~4" aluminum. Mr. Whipple asked, if they had a 1~4"-1 1~2" letter, would they have to use white? Mr. Mitchell said that they were not yet convinced that white letters would be the best letters that they could use. He said that they might try and match the decorative light fixture material. The proposed lighting fixture is 38" high by 21" wide and 8 1~2" deep, with a brass finish. Mr. Mitchell said that they could go to a letter that matches the brass finish. He said that an acrylic material would be used in the fixture in place of glass. Mr. Mitchell said that the soffit lights would be 5" diameter lights and that they are considering two per recessed section. Mrs. Samoylenko said that she still has reservations about the wood boarding because of maintenance problesm. Mrs. Williams asked if there was any reason for recessing the window and Mr. Mitchell said that they felt it gave interest to the front facade and also that it would be a place for people to stand to view displays. The window casings and muntins are of wood. Mrs. Williams said that she feels that the xhite boarding below the xindows on the front elevation seems weak and wishes that brick were to used instead of the wood boarding. Mrs. Samoylenko asked, if, when they designed the front elevation, was it to be homogeneous to the Trani building and the 1775 Realty Trust building and Mr: Mitchell said that he had nothing specific in mind. He said that he was trying to respect the existing foundation, roof, and xalls. Then followed discussion on the rear elevation. Mr. Whipple said that they were removing the loading door and Filling the space in with brick, adding blinds to the second floor windows, repairing the platform, installing a planter in front of the platform, and painting all trim white. He asked if they had altered the doorway at all and Mr. Mitchell said that they had not. He said that they had decided to retain a 3' canopy. Mrs. Samoylenko commented that with an interior vestibule they do not need a 3' canopy. Mr. Whipple said that he felt the same way. Mr. Mitchell said that they were not putting security lighting on the rear but would install security light at roofline of the side elevation. This light would be about 18" high by 12" wide, and 12" deep and would be a black cylinder with pris- matic lighting effect. He said that there would not be a dumpster. The platform is being retained to hide air conditioning components. Mr. Whipple returned to the discussion of the canopy and P~:r. Packard com- mented that it looks better than what is there now. Mrs. Samoylenko said that she feels that they can accomplish what they want xith an 18" canopy and that a 36" canopy is not necessary. Mr. Wilson stated that, if the Commission members want an 18" canopy, they will install an 18" canopy. Mr. Mitchell said that the planter would be of dark brown treated shiplap timber, 6" high by 8" wide by 25' long and would be 6" above the pavement, Some form of evergreen would be planted in this planter. The lighting fixture on the rear elevation would be similar in terms of material and design as that on the front elevation but for lighting purposes in the rear. Nlr. Hooper said that he felt a 12" canopy would be better than an 18" canopy. Mr. Whipple asked if the window sash was in good repair and Mr. Mitchell said that all it needed was puttying and painting. Mr. Whipple asked if they would use wood louvred blinds and Mr. Mitchell said that they would use wood louvred blinds. Mr. Hooper asked. if the brick was going to be tied in or toothed in and Nir. Mitchell said that they ' ~ HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 5 February 16, 1977 were just going to fill in the area but that it could be toothed in if the Commission preferred. Mr. Morehouse stated that, what is being pro- posed creates a good image for the rest of the building and the proposed signs are good, but that he thinks bronze letters best and in good taste. Mr. Morehouse commented that he felt that the recessed window xas good and added to the attractiveness of the front elevation. He said that he felt that the lighting fixture is a poor imitation and, if only for deco- rative purpose, is very unnecessary and in poor taste. Mr. Whipple asked what kind of glass would be used in the windows and Mr. Mitchell said thermopane insulated glass would be used. Mr. Whipple asked if there would be drapes on the inside of the xindoxs and. if so, if they would be drawn. Mr. Wilson said. that they xould have drapes but that they would be open as much as possible for security reasons. Mr. Morehouse said that he xondered if xood is appropriate belox the xindoxs and also ques- tioned if they xould not have a maintenance problem xith white xood in that area. He asked Mr. Mitchell if he xas sure that rolled roofing xould stay on for more than a year or txo and asked if they could consi- der installing copper roofing over the canopy instead. He also asked if the blinds xere really necessary. Mr. Mitchell said that he felt that the blinds helped the appearance of the rear elevation. Mr. Morehouse said that he thought the building might look as well without them as he feels that fake blinds that do not close look bad. Mr. Mitchell said that the each blind would be 18" ride and that the windows are 40" wide. Mr. More- house said that he feels that the xindows would carry themselves. He said that• he feels that this is a very reasonable job but that he feels that the light fixture on the front elevation is bad. He suggested that, if the front window frame could be made of brick veneer, it might look better and that the recessed section frames could be of xood. Mrs. Samoylenko said that she xould feel better about having brick in the re- cessed center section. Mr. Mitchell said that they mai~ld like to keep all below the brick upper section in xood and glass. Mr. Morehouse said that he feels that the pilasters could be of brick. Mrs. Samoylenkos said that the choice of material bothers her. Mrs. Williams said that she feels it is important to make the front elevation right and said that she appre- ciates their efforts to improve the rear elevation. Mr. Whipple said that the Commission members have reservations on the front lighting fixture. Mr, Morehouse commented that the blinds on the rear elevation seem more ap- propriate for a residential building and that this is a business building. Mr. Whipple said that the sign might stand out better without the blinds. Mr. Wilson commented that they would omit the front elevation light fixture and that the color of the letters could be decided upon later, Mr. More- house said that he felt white letters x111 be very startling. The hearing was adjourned at i1:I0 P.M, Then followed a brief discussion of the plans presented by the Cam- bridgeport Savings Bank. Mr. Jaquith resumed the chair. HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 6 February 16, 1977 Then followed a brief discussion of the application of Louis J. and Marie A. Bakanowsky with respect to removal of the aluminum combination storm door, installation of a brass door knocker on the front door, and painting the front door black in lieu of the existing blue-green color on the dwelling at 6 Parker Street. It was moved, seconded, and unani- mously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to Louis J. and Marie A. Bakanowsky with respect to the above mentioned exterior archi- tectural changes in the dwelling at 6 Parker Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners 'Wilbur M. Jaquith, Georgia H. Williams, S. Lawrence Whipple, Acting Com- missioner John R. Packard, and Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. Then followed a brief discussion on the application of Louis J. and Marie A. Bakanowsky with respect to the erection of a fence on the pre- mises at 6 Parker Street. Mr. Jaquith said that he will not vote for a 6' fence for that location. Mr. Packard suggested that the Commission deny the application and let him come in xith another proposal. Mr. Whipple said that he agreed, that the fence was too high,. that it was un- attractive, and that it was inappropriate. Upon motion made by Mr. Packard. and seconded by Mr. Whipple, it was unanimously VOTED to disapprove the appli- cation of Louis J. and Marie A. Bakanowsky for a fence on the premises at 6 Parker Street, which is within the Battle Green District, for the rea- sons that the fence is too high and is not appropriate for open area of that particular location. Participating in this decision xere Commis- sioners Wilbur M. Jaquith, Georgia H. Williams, S. Lawrence Whipple, Act- ing Commissioner John R. Packard, and Associate Commissioner Oliver F. Hooper. The meeting was adjourned at 11s30 P.M. ~r ~o i w ~J o-~.-.. s- Geor~ia H. Williams secretary