HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-11-16 HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION
A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday,
November 16, 1983, in the Selectmen`s Meeting Room, Town Office Building,
Lexington. Present were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman; S.
Lawrence Whipple, Secretary; Roland B. Greeley; John E. Ryan; and Asso-
ciate Commissioners Stephen B. Cripps, Linda J. McAulay, and Mary Harding
Nye.
At 8:00 P.M. Mr. Frank Armstrong and Mr. Ron Witty appeared on behalf
of The First Baptist Church to present the landscape plan and fence which
had been agreed between the Church and Dr. and Mrs. John Morrall, the
easterly abuttors. It was agreed to approve the plan dated October 6,
1983 and the accompanying planting list, as presented to the Commission on
October 19, 1983, plus the additions shown on the plan presented on Novem-
ber 16, 1983, subject to additions and deletions as may be presented in
the future by the Church and the Morralls. It was further agreed that the
fence will be left to weather naturally until spring, and then it may
either be stained a weathered color or left natural. The proposal was
VOTED.
At 8:30 P.M. Thomas E. and Carla V, Fortmann appeared to request per-
mission to complete the white cedar shingle re-roofing at 5 Harrington
Road. Permission had been granted in 1982 for cedar shingling on the rear
wing, and the present request was VOTED for the remainder of the house.
At 8:35 P.M. John W. and Monique E. Reed appeared to request permis-
sion to install solar hot water collectors on the roof of the house at
1437 Massachusetts Avenue. The design is such that the panels are arranged
on the rear or northeasterly slope of the roof, tilted to face south but
remain hidden from a viewer as far away as the south sidewalk of Massachu-
setts Avenue. From an angular view up or down the Avenue, the panels are
concealed by trees or other buildings. The request was VOTED.
At 9:10 P.M. Mr. Stephen I. Owren appeared on behalf of S & A Realty
Trust and reported that the Trust was now to be known as Norge Realty
Trust. Mr. John Cole, architect for Moore Homes, Inc,, presented drawings
showing a proposal by Norge Realty Trust for an addition and alterations
to the building at 3656 Massachusetts Avenue. The proposal was for a 2 z~2
story addition at the rear of the existing building, in materials to match
those on the original structure. In addition, it was agreed that the
wrought iron railings on the existing porch would be removed.
Mr. Whipple voiced objection to the proposed skylights, to the new
copper roof dormer on the addition, and to the retention of the existing
projecting air conditioning units.
Mr. Ryan expressed the opinion that there would be too much building
on too small an area.
Historic Districts Commission - 2 - November ~6, 1983
Discussion of the age and history of the building followed with Mr.
Whipple stating that it had been built in 1837. The question of the extent
of added office space was raised, and Mr. Cole said he was proposing about
3500 new square feet.
Several Commissioners expressed the wish to study the problem further
and to look again at the site. It was VOTED to continue the hearing until
the next meeting.
Mr. Mark Moore then appeared informally with Mr, Cole to present a
preliminary sketch of a proposed new building at 14 Muzzey Street. Under
the proposal there would be an addition at the rear of the site, with
underground parking, following which the existing building would be
demolished and the new structure extended out to the Muzzey Street frontage.
Bills were VOTED in the amount of $34.72 for Beacon Minute-Man publi-
cations and in the amount of $88.90 for Barbara Gilson.
The meeting was adjourned at 10s30 P.M,
`J _
S. Lawrence Whipple
Secretary