HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-05-17 HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday,
MaY 17, x978, in the Selectmen*s Meeting Room, Toxn Office Building, Lex~+
ington. Present xere Commissioners John R. Packard, Chairman= Georgia H.
Williams, Secretary= John L. Daviesi and Associate Commissioners Linda J.
McAuley, Richard. S. Morehouse, and Howard C. Nason. Mr. Nason was welcomed
as a new Associate Commissioner. Mrs. McAulay was appointed to serve for
Commissioner Roland B. Greeley who was unable to be present. Mr. Morehouse
was appointed to serve for Commissioner S. Lawrence Whipple who xas unable
to be present.
A hearing was held at 8sOs P.M. on the application of Lee Ann McGrath
for a Certificate with respect to the erection and display of signs for the
restaurant at ig20 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green
District. Mr. Packard read the legal notice and made reference to the
application. Mrs. McGrath submitted three scale drawings with specifications
of the proposed sign which is to replace the previous Drummer Boy Restaurant
sign. The sign is to be dark brown with gold lettering and will be the same
size as the previous sign. She intends to use the same fluorescent lights
for lighting the sign. Mrs. Williams commented that the other two signs on
the building are black letters on a white background. Mrs. McGrath said
that she would prefer a dark brown background but would accept a white back-
ground if that is what the Commission preferred. Mrs. McAuley asked if the
white shutters shown in the photographs submitted xould remain beside the
entrance door and Mrs. McGrath said that they would. Mrs. McAuley said that
the dark brown background distrubs her with the white blinds and other signs.
Mrs. McGrath asked if the members of the Commission would object to brown or
gold letters on a white background. Mrs. Williams asked if the awning over
the entrance doorway is a dark brown and Mrs. McGrath said that it was with
the words "Lee Ann's" in white letters. Mrs. McAuley asked if raised letters
were Wore visible than incised and Mr. Packard Bald that they xere not. Mr.
Morehouse asked if Mrs. McGrath planned to have dark brown background with
gold leaf letters and she said that that was what she xas proposing. Mr.
Morehouse commented that incised letters are good if gold leaf letters. Mr.
Packard suggested that perhaps the Commission could approve a white back-
board with letters of gold leaf, brown, or bla.ek at the discretion of the
applicant. Mr. Morehouse asked if she planned to remove the end spindles
and Mrs. McGrath said that she did. Mr. Packard asked if there was lighting
there now and Mrs. McGrath said that there were two fluorescent lights. Mr.
Packard asked if the awning was the same size and Mrs. McGrath said that it
xas mounted on the same frame, xas of dark brown, and had the words "Lee
Ann's" on three sides. Mr. Davies commented that the sign comes a little
short of the awning. Mr. Nason suggested that the Commission specify that
the sign be centered betxeen the inside edge of outside door shutters. The
hearing xas adjourned at 8s30 P.M.
It was moved. seconded, and VOTPD to issue a Certificate of Appropriate-
ness to Lee Ann McGrath with respect to the erection and display of signs for
the restaurant at 320 Massachusetts Avenue, which is xithin the Battle Green
District. Participating in this decision were Commissioners John R. Packard,
Georgia H. Williams, John L. Davies, and Associate Commissioners Linda J.
McAuley and Richard S. Morehouse.
Historic Districts Commission - 2 - May 17, 1978
A hearing was held at 8a35 P.M. on the application of Lanza Realty
Trust for a Certificate of Appropriateness with respect to the erection of
fencing on the premises at 1994 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the
Battle Green District. Mr, Packard read the legal notice and referred to
the application and the background for said application. Mr. Lanza said
that ir! mid-0ctober he obtained a building permit for an in-ground swimming
pool and that shortly thereafter Mr. iihipple had looked at the pool. Mr.
iThipple told Mr. Lanza that the pool was not visible from Massachusetts
Avenue but that it was within the Battle Green District and suggested that
Mr. Lanza call Mr. Packard. Mr. Lanza said that he received a letter from
the Building Inspector stating that the permit had been issued in error and
requested that Mr. Lanza stop the work and secure a Certificate of Appro-
priateness from the Historic Districts Commission. Mr. Lanza then sub-
mitted a series of snapshots that he had taken that day. Mr. Packard asked
if he was installing a fence. Mr. Lanza said that most of the property
already was fenced with chain link fence but that they will have to add
fencing from the pool to porch through bushes (about 8-10 feet of chain
link fence) and wood stockade fence from the garage to the house which will
be painted to match the house. The wind screen fencing being installed is
six feet high and is of wood. Mr. Davies commented that stain will weather
better than paint. Mr. Packard asked if it would be gray and Mr. Lanza said
it would weather to a gray color. Mr. Davies asked if they intended to
fence in the play area and Mr. Lana said that they did not. Mr. Morehouse
commented that Host of the play area was outside the district. Mr. Morehouse
asked if they planned to light the pool and Mrs. Lanza said that the only
lighting planned now is that from the porch light. Mr. Davies asked if the
play area had been installed and Mr. Lanza said that the area was muddy so
had dug up and installed gravel. The hearing was adjourned at 8a55 P.M.
It was moved, seconded, and VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriates
Hess to Lanza Realty Trust, Mariantonia Lanza, Trustee, with respect to the
installation of fencing on the premises at 1994 Massachusetts Avenue, which
is within the Battle Green District. Participating in this decision were
Commissioners John R. Packard, Georgia H. Williams, John L. Davies, and
Associate Commissioners Linda J. McAuley and Richard S. Morehouse.
An adjourned hearing was held at 9s00 P.M. on the application of Carol
A. Snyder for a Certificate with respect to exterior architectural changes
on the dwelling at 2314 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Munroe
Tavern District. Mr. Snyder submitted drawings showing a proposed landing
with steps leading to the side yard facing the Munroe Tavern. Mr. Davies
commented that there was a safety factor involved with stairs shorter than
the landing. Mr. Morehouse drew up a sketch of a possible landing and two
sets of stairs which all preferred. Mr. Snyder commented that it looked
better than what he had presented. Mr. Snyder said that they had installed
wood roof shingles instead of asphalt shingles as approved. The hearing
was adjourned at 9s25 P.M.
It was moved, seconded, and VOTED to issue a Certificate of Appropriate-
ness to Carol A. Snyder with respect to exterior architectural changes on
the dwelling at 1314 Massachusetts Avenue (the Sanderson House), which is
within the Munroe Tavern District. Participating in this decision were
Commissioners John R. Packard, Georgia H. Williams, John L. Davies, and
Associate Commissioners Linda J. McAuley and Richard S. Morehouse.
• •
Historic Districts Commission - 3 - May 17. 1978
A meeting xas held at 9:15 P.M. xith respresentatives of Norton,
Kleven and Company of 3 Fletcher Avenue, xhich is xithin the Battle Green
District. Mrs. Webster submitted draxings shoxing proposed changes in
the pavement in front of the building. A i1+ foot xrought iron rail is
proposed tc go doxn the center xalkxay xith brick courtyards on either
side of the xalkxay. A hearing is scheduled for June 7th. The meeting
xas adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
A hearing xas held at 9:30 P.M. on the application of Ralph F., Jr.
and Jean M. Pynn for a Certificate of Appropriateness xith respect to
color change of the roof shingles and the dxelling at 88i-883 Massachusetts
Avenue, which is xithin the Ra.st Pillage District. It xas stated that the
asphalt roof shingles are nox a light green and that they rant either a
black or charcoal blend. The roof shingles must be replaced as they are
leaking badly. They propose painting the house xhite xith black doors and
blinds. They have found some blinds in the garage and rill replace others
matching as closely as possible the original blinds. The definitions in
the fan light over the doorway are to be painted black. Mrs. Williams com-
mented that she xould prefer the fan light painted all xhite. Mr. Pynn
stated that there xas xrought~iaon in the fanlight. Mrs. Pynn said that the
house xas known as the "Lucy Gemmel" house and xas probably built in 1830.
The hearing xas adjourned at IOs05 P.M.
It xas moved, seconded, and VOTID to issue a Certificate of Appro-
priateness to Ralph F., Jr. and Jean M. Pynn xith respect to color changes
for the dxelling at 881-•883 Massachusetts Avenue, xhich is xithin the Rast
Village District.
The meeting xas adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
eorgi~ H. Yilliams
Secretary