HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-08-19 •
HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held at 8:00 P.M.
on Wednesday, August 19, 1981, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office
Building, Lexington. Present were Commissioners John R. Packard, Chairman;
S. Lawrence Whipple, Secretary; Ann Wallace; and Associate Commissioners
Sarah P. Harkness and Molly Nye.
The first hearing at 8:35 P.M. considered the application of Shell Oil
Company for permission to install on the Bedford Street side of their
station at 46 Bedford Street new pumps identical to those already installed
on the Worthen Road side. There seemed to be no reason to deny this so it
was VOTED to approve the change, but no canopy will be erected over the
pumps.
At 8s40 Y.M. Fotomat Inc, presented a request for erection of a blue
plastic sign at 1740 Massachusetts Avenue where it intersects with Waltham
Street, the former Loralane store. The Commission felt that this important
corner needed a comprehensive plan for its rehabilitation, including
removal of white paint from the bricks, removal of a glass block wall, and
integration of signs for the two businesses that will occupy the space. It
did not think it wise to consider one sign in isolation from all the other
factors, and accordingly VOTED unanimously to disapprove the request.
At 9:00 P.M. William P. Fearing, D.C., on behalf of himself and his
wife, Mary C. Benkert, D.C., asked for permission to erect a chiropractic
emblem (essentially a human body in metal over the directory sign on the
Douglass Building at 1844-B Massachusetts Avenue. The Commission thought
the emblem would dominate the sign board as well as this corner of the build-
ing and accordingly VOTED unanimously to disapprove the application, leaving
the door open, however, for another application at another location.
At 9:10 P.M. Ms. Marie Boucher went through a formal hearing for
approval of work already completed on her home at 2016 Massachusetts Avenue. ~
She has closed in one kitchen window on the side and added a small casement
window to the kitchen at the rear. The Commission VOTED to approve the same
and urged the applicant to request a hearing before she does any exterior
work again.
At 9:35 P.M. the Commission discussed with Paul and Miriam Gilman color
changes for the dwelling at 881-883 Massachusetts Avenue, with comments from
their neighbors across the street, Mr. and Mrs. Kellen. It was finally
settled that the main color would be Olympic "harvest gold" with xhite trim,
and a black or black-green front door, and so VOTED.
The Chairman then showed the members plans of the Shawmut County Bank
to erect another sign on the Muzzey Street elevation of the main office at
1822 Massachusetts Avenue. This will be the subject of a formal hearing on
September 30. The members appeared to be mot in sympathy with the plans.
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Historic Districts Commission - 2 - August 19, 1981
It was noted that Guenther's Restaurant at 1777 Massachusetts Avenue
has added blue trim to the facade, not approved b1' the Commission, but
attractive enough, in the opinion of a majority. The Hancock School Condo-
minium has added a large number 33 for the benefit of the mailman, an
unfortunate but not catastrophic development.
Finally there was a discussion of how property owners, particularly
new residents, of the historic districts could be made more aware of our
role in passing upon exterior changes. The chairman was asked to draft
letters to the realtors and to all residents of the districts for distribu-
tion in the fall. i
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 Y.M.
S. Lawrence Whipple
Secretary
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