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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-12-14 • i o~ HIS'i"ORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday, Deceaber Y1~, 1977. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Towa Office Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners Georgia H. Williams, Secretary; Roland B. Greeley; Amalie G. 5amoyleako; S. Lawrence Whipple; and Associate Commissioners Linda J. McAuley and John L. Davies. Mrs. Williams called the meeting to order at 8:05 P.M. and appointed Mrs. McAuley to serve for Commissioner John R. Packard who was unable to be present for the first part of the meeting. Upon motion made by Mrs. Samoylenko and seconded by Mr. Greeley, it was VOTED that S. Lawrence Whipple serve as Chairman Pro Ten. A hearing was held at 8si0 P.M. on the application of John.Dellaria for a Certificate of Appropriateness with respect to erection and display of a sign for the store at 5 Meriam Street which is within the Battle Green District. Stephen Haderski represented the applicant. Mr. Whipple read the legal notice and application. Mr. Haderski submitted three copies of a scale drawing of the proposed sign and a sample letter. Mr. Whipple asked how the letters were smoothed down and Mr. Haderski said by hand. The sign x111 bear the legend "John Dellaria Salon" in 10" capital Roman style capital letters and x111 be 13' in length - the fasciaboard is 20' long. Mr. Whipple asked if the applicant requested all capital letters and Mr. Haderski said that h® did. Mr. Khipple asked Mr. Haderski how he felt about all capitals versus capitals and lower case letters and Mr. Haderski said that he feels all capitals are all right and that some stores have all capitals, some have all lower case, and some have a combination of both capital and lower case letters. Mr. Whipple asked if there would be any staining from the existing sign and Mr. Haderski said that they would peg the holes and match the existing color so not staining. The hearing was closed at 8x20 P.M. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness to John Dellaria with respect to the erection and dis- play of a sign for the store at 5 Meriam Street, which is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners S. Lawrence Whipple, Georgia H. Williams, Roland B. Greeley, Amelia G. Smoyleako, and Associate Commissioner Linda J. McAuley. An informal meeting was held with Robert Snyder who is planning to purchase the Sanderson House. Mr. Snyder said that the immediate needs on the exterior of the house are to replace the wood roof shingles with wood roof shin les and to re lace the existin sh le and cla board si on g P g ~8 P ding the house. He stated that parts of the house have shingles and parts have clagboards and that they believe the house originally had clapboards. He said that they have discussed the history of the house with Lance A~lander who is a descendant of the original owner of the house and that Mr. Aslander feels that the house was built between 1714 and 1720. Mr. Snyder said that they intend to restore the house. He stated that the windows now there are not the original windows, and therefore they wish to change the windows. Mr. Whipple asked if they have restoration of the house in HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 2 December 14, i9~'q mind and Mr. Snyder said that they did. Mr. Whipple asked if they had dis- cussed this xith a historical architect, and. Mr. Snyder said that he had talked with Mr. Spinale of the Society for Preservation of Nex England Antiquities. Mr, Whipple suggested that he talk with Elizabeth Reinhardt of the Lexington Historical Commission. Mr. Greeley said that, if making substantial changes in appearance, then you xill have to convince me that the changes are appropriate. Mr. Whipple said that there were two alter- natives: one that you do not change previous alterations and other that you restore the house to a specific time. Mr. Snyder said that the house xas built in three stages and that they are nox doing their "homexork" before beginning any restoration. Mr. Snyder asked if appearance is considered by the Commission and xas told that it is to a certain extent in cases of restoration. Mrs. Samoylenko commented that the problem is determining,- xhen the changes were made - the windows on the first floor and the portico xere probably put in arouna 1900. Mr. Whipple said that the Historical Society has no recoil of the house to the best of his knowledge. Mr. Davies asked if yc~i^r~store the first floor windows and then install com- bination xindows and Mr. Snyder said that some windows have combination xindoxs nox. Mr. Whipple asked if they would want combination xindows and Mr. Snydex said that they probably xould unless they could get thermopane xindows with muntins. Mr. Whipple asked if they planned to remove some shingles to see if clapboards were under the shingles and Airs. Williams asked if they would prefer to have clapboards. Mr. Snyder siad that they xould prefer clapboards. Mr. Greeley said that the dormers may pose a problem in deciding on the installation of clapboards. Mr. Whipple asked if they xould use xood shingles on the roof and Mr, Snyder said that they xould if they can get flame resistant shingles. Mr. Greeley asked iP they planned to remove the ells in the back and Mr. Snyder said that they did not. Mr. Whipple asked about the condition of the chimneys and Mr. Snyder said that one is in good condition and the other in fair condition. The meeting xas adjourned at $e40 P.M. Mr. Packard assumed the Chairmanship at 8:45 P.M. Txo bills were submitteds $i2,33 from Ingalls Stationer and $201,25 from Barbara Gilson, Clerk. It xas moved. seconded, and VOTED to approve payment of the two bills. Mr. Packard stated that he had again written Brigham's and had an an- sxerfrom Mr. Dedousis that he would be glad to meet with the Commission iri January. Mr. Packard said that he had received the dimensions of the sign :and letters from Realty World-Heritage Homes. He said that they xant to use the lighting cove on the building and stated that they underatocd that the lighting fixture had been on the building since McGee Flooring xas there. Folloxing discussion, the clerk xas requested to check previous Certificates regarding the lighting cove. Mr. Packard asked xhat should be done if find ~ • s HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION - page 3 December i4, 1977 that the lighting cove has been approved in the past and it xas decided that the Commission should approve its use by Realty-World-Heritage Homes. Mrs. Williams stated that she feels the Commission should have insisted on gold leaf letters and added that she does not like the paint xhich looks yellox. Mrs. Williams commented that the signs look significantly poorer and that she feels a time limit should be placed on signs at the time they are approved. Mr. Greeley said that he feels the sign looks "cheap". Mrs. Williams said that in the future she hopes the Commission can upgrade signs and she added that she feels that perhaps the Commission compromises too much. Mr. Whipple agreed that perhaps the Commission does compromise too much. Mrs. Williams dtated that she feels the Sign By-Laws should be reviewed. Mr. Packard stated that he had contacted Mr. Irwin about the pool and tennis courts xhich the Lanzas xere constructing at 1884 Massachusetts Avenue and that Mr. Irwin had written Mr. Lanza re Building Permits. The meeting xas adjourned at 9s15 P.M. / r`~, `,P' ~G~La Geo is H. Williams Secretary