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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-10• • Minutes of Meeting of the Lexington Historic Districts Commission Wednesday 10 January 1990 A meeting of the Lexington Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday January 10, 1990 in Estabrook Hall in the Cary Building, Lexington, Massachusetts. Present at the meeting were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman, Linda J. McAulay, Richard S. Morehouse, Stephen M. Politi, and John E. Ryan; Asso- ciate Commissioners Walter H. Bergler, Jr., Elizabeth B. Cotten, and Walter S. Pierce; and Charles D. Grant, Clerk. At 8:04 PM the Chairman declared the meeting to be open and read an application from Diane Kalemkiarian d /b /a Ardemis Designs with respect to the erection and display of a sign at the building at 6 -8 Muzzey Street, which is within the Battle Green District. The applicant presented a sketch of the sign, reading "ARDEMIS" in script and "DESIGNS" in small block letters under- neath, and photos of where the sign is to be placed on the building. Follow- ing the presentation and discussion, it was unanimously VOTED that the sign be approved as drawn, with the added specification that the word "Designs" be • omitted, that the sign be made of wood painted white with lettering in gold leaf and that the bottom of the sign be aligned with the first clapboard above the window frame. Roger Hill, representing Roger and Mary Hill, then presented a proposal with respect to the installation of a child's play structure and a terrace on the premises at 9 Hancock Street, which is within the Battle Green District. The applicant presented a plan of the property showing the house and yard and photos of the present location of the play structure ( "jungle gym "). The discussion focused on the point that the play structure is such a conspicuous presence near the Battle Green, while also acknowledging that the Hills have been extremely scrupulous about everything else they did to the building and did not realize that the patio and play structure would require an application before the Commission. After discussion of two other locations, the Commis- sion VOTED AGAINST recommending that the play structure be relocated near the vegetable garden (Commissioners Davies and Politi voting Aye and Commissioners McAulay, Morehouse and Ryan voting Nay) and VOTED that the Hills be required to relocate the play structure in the lawn between the house and the carriage house (Commissioners McAulay, Ryan and Politi voting Aye and Commissioners Davies and Morehouse voting Nay) and that the moving of the structure should be carried out when the Hills can reasonably do it, in any case before the 19th of April. It was VOTED unanimously that the patio be approved as installed. Mark S. White and Marjorie White, d /b /a/ Signature Stationers then presented a proposal with respect to the erection and display of signage on the building at 1707 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green • Minutes of Meeting of January 10, 1990 2 • • District. The applicant explained that the sign to be placed in the arch over the front door and the sign to be placed on the flat panel facing the parking lot are to be made of wood, painted navy blue with gold letters similar to the Christian Science and Patriot Travel signs. A sketch of the sign and photos of their proposed locations were presented by the applicant. The Commission noted that it has not received a sign program from the owners of the building. After discussion the Commission VOTED that the proposal be approved (Commis- sioners Davies, McAulay, Morehouse and Politi voting Aye and Commissioner Ryan voting Nay) with the additional specifications that the signs facing the parking lot shall be of raised wooded letters painted with gold leaf on the existing white panel, that the sign over the door shall be of gold lettering on either white or blue to match the color of the Christian Science sign, and that, in the absence of a sign program for the building, this approval shall not be taken as approval for other signs on the building. In the fourth and final presentation of the evening, Donald Wilson representing Wilson Farms Inc. presented a proposal with respect to exterior architectural changes to a farm structure (shed) at 8 Pleasant Street, which is within the East Village District. The applicant presented plans and photos and explained that the jist of the changes is to enclose a covered space between two buildings. The Commission VOTED unanimously that the proposal be approved as presented. Carter Scott of 627 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the East Village District, then came before the Commission on a matter of information saying that he wants to do something with the old barn on his property by making an apartment on the second floor and will be preparing plans to present to the Commission later this year. A bill in the amount of $60.90 from Beacon Publications was VOTED. The Chairman then presented a draft of a printed list of what the Commis- sion would like applicants to bring to these meetings. After receiving several editorial comments, the Chairman said he would bring the revised draft to the next meeting for further discussion. Commissioner Ryan then asked whether the Commission has the jurisdiction to approve the traffic islands recently constructed on the eastern end of the Battle Green, noting that the Minute Man statue is now off center. Commis- sioner Pierce reported that the islands are on a trial placement, commenting that they have spawned eleven signs and from a design point of view no one likes them. The Commissioners discussed whether the statue could be moved to resume its central place and whether the islands do, in fact, contribute to the safety of tourists taking pictures of it. Commissioner Ryan suggested that members of the Commission look at the area and make recommendations to the Selectmen. • • • Minutes of Meeting of January 10, 1990 3 Commissioner Pierce reported that Design Guidelines for Lexington are being prepared by Dickson &. Associates and would soon be ready for review. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM. 1:azt !LL? -ti ✓ C:�c�v✓ Linda J. McAulay Charles D. Grant Secretary Clerk