HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-12-14 • i
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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
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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
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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. /
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Geo is H. Williams
Secretary