HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-04-15 HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission xas held at Sa00 P.M.
on Wednesday, April 15, I98I, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners John R. Packard, Chairman,
and John L. Davies; and Associate Commissioners Linda J. McAuley, Richard
S. Morehouse, and Molly Nye.
At Ss00 P.M. Mr. Burt Kolovson presented plans for a sign and awning
for Battle Green Realty at 1720 Massachusetts Avenue. The Commission found
the general designs satisfactory, subject to the elimination of excessive
lettering on both the sign and awning, and so VOTED its approval, with
changes as noted on the drawings submitted.
At 8:20 Y.M. Mr. Philip Ciampa presented plans for the Philip Salon
sign at ii Waltham Street. The Commission was unanimous in its approval of
this sign, and after the briefest of discussion so VOTED.
At 8:30 P.M. Olsten Temporary Services requested approval of a sign
for its store in the Giroux Building - a sign having all three words in its
name. The Commission disapproved such a sign about two years ago, favoring
one reading simply "Olsten". This, however, was not acceptable to the cor-
poration so no sign xas erected. This time, the request xas more favorably
received, perhaps because "Temporary Services" Would have only 2 i~2" let- ~
ters. Approval was accordingly VOTED.
At 8s55 P.M. Mr. Henry Patterson showed the Commission his extensive it
plans for improving the appearance of both the front and rear of his newly
expanded Bel Canto restaurant. There will be attractive nex xooden signs
for both front and rear,. red awnings, and many improvements to the exterior
facing the parking lot. The Commission believes that all this represents a
substantial up-grading of the premises, and VOTED its approval at 9s10 P.M.
Carla Fortmann and Kate Baty then showed us three signs for The Crafty
Yankee store at 6 Muzzey Street. Txo will be at the second floor level and
one beside the front entrance. The Commission asks that the applicants
check with the Board of Appeals on the question of three signs. Subject to
that, approval was VOTED.
Finally, Shell Oil Company came in at 9:25 F.M. to continue its March
25th hearing. The Commission had no trouble approving a portico for the
Bedford Street-Worthen Road corner of the station, and it was so VOTED. A
canopy for the self-service island presented more of a problem. Some mem-
bers thought it was too massive, not to mention unattractive, for this loca-
tion. Others, however, apparently thought it would not significantly
detract from the appearance of a corner already not very attractive; also
it would provide shelter for customers and improve business for the appli-
cant. Acordingly approval was VOTED by a margin of 3-2, with the Chairman
and Mrs. McAuley dissenting.
Another corporate giant, Nex England Telephone, then appeared with a
request for telephone booths in Lexington Center. The booths are in fact,
not booths at all, but open telephones on posts, and the Commission agreed
they were more attractive than existing booths on Meriam Street and Woburn
Street. At a formal hearing it is anticipated that these replacements will
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Historic Districts Commission - 2 - April 15, 1981
be approved. as will a double telephone to fit between txo planters in front
of the CVS store. The Commission's only problem was the fourth telephone
which was to be located on the sidewalk, or on the edge of the grass, half-
way between the ends of Emery Park on the Massachusetts Avenue front. This
seemed to be too prominent a location that would have a negative impact on
the Park's appearance. After discussion the Commission agreed that a loca-
tion at one end (the Giroux Building end) would be acceptable.
Mr. Coscia then reviewed the on-going saga of wood shingles for the roof
of the Visitor's Center. He is of the opinion that the presence of so many
trees over the roof will cause these shingles to deteriorate long before
their time, as the existing ones did, and his opinion is supported by some
experts. The Commission, however, continues in its strong distaste for
asphalt shingles, and agreed that it should not retreat from its established
position that only wood shingles are appropriate. Mr. Coscia plans to pro-
ceed on that basis and hope for the best.
The final matter of the evening was approval of $198.41 in bills -from
the Minute Man, Ingall's Stationery, and Barbara Gilson, clerical - all so
VOTED.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
L..e., CL.
Jon R, Packard
Chairman