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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-04-11 • HISTORIC DISTRICTS CONitiISSION A meeting of the Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday, April il, 1984, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, Lex- ington. 'rresent were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman; Roland B. Greeley; Linda J. McAulay; John E. Ryan; Ann Wallace; and Associate Commis- sioners Walter S, fierce and Albert T. Uitt. At 8:05 P.M. a representative of Moore Homes, Inc. appeared with re- spect to a proposed amendment to Certificate #83 C-46, relevant to signs on the building at 39 Bedford Street. The amendment would change the color of the sign letters from black to white. Having been discussed at earlier meetings, the amendment was VU'?'ED. At 8:10 n.tf. Mr. Mark Fiaroules appeared on behalf of Lexington Cycle, Inc. with regard to signs for their business at 1644 Massachusetts Avenue. Two signs were involved: The first, a carved wooden sign adjacent to the entrance to the premises would have a raised. image of an antique bicycle, in gold paint, on a background of Colonial blue. Incised in the sign would be gold letters reading "LEXINGTON CYCLE". Approval of this sign was VOTED. The second sign would be mounted on the front of the building. It would consist of a mahogany board 16 ft. long and 2 ft. high, in the same location as the sign of the previous bicycle business and xould read "LEX- INGTON CYCLE, INC." The mahogany board would have a gold bezel and the letters would be raised carved wood letters applied to the face of the board. There was criticism by the Commission of the spacing of the letters and of the proportion of certain of the letters shown in the initial sketch. The suggestion was made that the deletion of the word "INC." would improve the spacing, and the applicant agreed to remove it. The applicant pointed out that they were occupying space which had been vacated by the previous bicycle business, whose sign had been removed, and they were conducting their own business under a hardship until they could have a replacement sign installed, It was VOTED to approve the sign subject to a review by Mrs. McAulay and Mr. Davies of the actual sign letters and of either a full sized layout or an improved scale drawing showing actual spacing. The samples and drawings would be delivered to Mrs. McAulay following which they would be viewed by Mr. Davies and any other members who would choose to do so. At 8:35 F,tI. tie. Joan R. Macbeth appeared on behalf of The Candy u"astle at 1853 Massachusetts Avenue w~lh_. respect to the installation of awnings at that address. The awnings would be on 5 windows on Meriam Street and 2 win- dows and a door on Massachusetts Avenue. The material would be a terra cotta striped material similar to, but from a different source than the awnings ~t the neighboring Barrett and Worthen store. The drawing presented showed. the awning at the door to be the same height as the window awnings, but the applicant explained this was not so. There was discussion about the appropriate dimension of this awning and about the amount of projection from the building. Mr. Wilbut Jaquith, who was present in the audience, recom- mended that a condition of any certificate for awnings should require that the awnings be maintained in good condition. • Historic Districts Commission -2- April 11, 19$4 It was concluded by the Commission that the drawing presented was not to scale and the dimensions of the awnings were unclear. In addition, since the awning material was stated to be similiar to but not exactly the same as the neighbor's awning, it was felt that actual fabric samples should be presented. In view of these deficiencies in the presentation, the applicant was requested to appear at the next hearing. At 9:05 ?'.M. Mr. Douglas Chapman appeared on behalf of the Lexington Shell Service Center at 1095 Massachusetts Avenue with regard to the re- placement of his sign with an internally illuminated plastic sign and with regard to the placement of exterior vending machines. He said that he would be willing to accept an externally illuminated sign, if that were preferred. He said that he felt his business suffered from a lack of product identification. This suggestion was disputed by members of the Commission. A group of neighbors appeared with a petition representing approximately 32 people, all of whom were objecting to both of the proposed changes. Together with the petition, they presented a copy of the 1968 Board, of Appeals ruling which specifically prohibited outside vending machines and floodlighting. Mr. Greeley suggested that it was irrelevant for the Commission to consider requests that had been specifically prohibited by the Board of Appeals. This proposition was agreed to, and no action was taken on the vending machines. There was discussion as to whether the external lighting of a sign would constitute "floodlighting", and there was consensus that, if the lights were carefully designed to light the sign only, it could not be so classified. Mr. Davies told the applicant that a carefully designed lighting system for the existing sign might be considered by the Commission. rx. Pierce suggested that an overall improvement of the premises would be achieved if the existing mercury vapor lighting were removed, and he felt that this would be a possible quid pro quo for an externally illuminated sign. Such a proposal would, however, consiitute a new application requir- ing advertising and another hearing. The Commission VOTED unanimously to disapprove the application for an internally illuminated plastic sign. Charles D. and Nancy C. Schock next appeared with regard to a proposed addition to the rear of the house at 8 Marrett Road. They presented plans and a site plan in order to show that the proposed addition is substantially invisible from any public xay. 'Phey also expressed their need for an early construction start, since the addition is a specialized design required to house a severely handicapped son who cannot otherwise be accommodated. Mr. Davies said he had repeatedly driven up and down Marrett Road and Massachusetts Avenue near the premises, and he agreed that the project would be completely hidden except for an extremely long view of one corner. It was VOTED to issue a Notice of Determination that a Certificate of Appro- priateness would not be required. The Commission next considered the matter of electing a Secretary to succeed Mr. Whipple. Mrs, rlcAulay's name was placed in nomination, seconded, and it was VOTED to elect her Secretary to the Commission. It was VOTED to approve bills in the amount of $~b3.9? to Beacon Com- munications and $50.00 to Barbara Gilson. n Historic Districts Commission -3- April 11, 1984 N~ollowing these votes, Mrs. McAulay stepped down and Mr. Pitt was appointed to sit as a voting member in her place. Mrs, hicAulay then pre- sented a proposal for color changes on the house at 782 Massachusetts Avenue. The wall shingles would be Olympic dark brown stain, the trim off-xhite, and the door terra cotta. The asphalt roof shingles would be replaced with GAF #833,5 Timberline Charcoal Gray asphalt shingles. These changes were VOTED. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M. ~j ~ / r . , ~ 1. ~,f/ Linda J. M ulay Uacretary