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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-03-07• • • MINUTES OF MEETING of the Lexington Historic Districts Commission Wednesday 7 March 1990 A meeting of the Lexington Historic Districts Commission was held on Wednesday, March 7, 1990 in Room G-15 of the Town Office Building, Lexington, Massachusetts. Present at the meeting were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman; Linda J. McAulay, Secretary; Richard S. Morehouse; and Stephen M. Politi; Associate Commissioner Walter H. Bergler; Elizabeth B. Cotten; and Mary Harding Nye; and Charles D. Grant, Clerk. At 8:00 PM the Chairman declared the meeting open and read an application from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Muzzey High Condominium with respect to exterior architectural changes to the building at 1475 Massachusetts Avenue, which is with the Munroe Tavern District. Joyce Sweeney and Leo Feldman, representing the Trustees, presented color photographs of the building that illustrated the subjects of concern which were: 1. The flagpole is rotting and needs to be taken down. It was VOTED unanimously that the flagpole be demolished. 2. Several signs in a variety of styles are posted around the grounds of the building. They have not been approved by the Commission. The former trustees had intended to get to the signs after dealing with many other problems in the building but their application had never been forthcoming. The Chairman reviewed the directives of the Commission which are that applicants should have their signs professionally designed with drawings prepared for it and the Buildings Department before the hearing. It was VOTED unanimously that the existing signs be approved for a period not to exceed one year, during which a complete plan for signage shall be prepared. 3. It was proposed to make waterproof a set of concrete steps having an entrance to an apartment underneath by applying a coating with a non -skid surface. The Commissioners felt it was good material but the color was not appropriate and the applicants were advised to check other manufacturers and colors. The Commission decided to continue the hearing on the coating of the concrete steps. 4. A fire - escape needs welding, cleaning and painting and it was proposed that it be painted black. The Conunission felt it was important that a significant architectural detail, such as this fire - escape with its pleasing design, should match the other iron work on the building and VOTED unanimously that the fire - escape be painted green to match the other iron work. 5. Some of the downspouts of the gutters need to be replaced. After a • - 2 - discussion of the long -term aesthetic considerations of copper turning green and galvanized yielding a rust color, it was VOTED unanimously that the new downspouts be painted to match the color of existing downspouts. 6. It was also proposed to paint yellow some of the curbs in the no- parking lanes. The Commission felt that the yellow curbs would make the place look too municipal, moreover, the yellow color would not by itself take care of the problem of people parking where they should not and suggested that the areas be posted for towing. The Commission unanimously VOTED AGAINST the proposal to paint some curbs yellow on the easterly side of the building. At the close of the hearing on the application of Muzzey High Condominium, Commissioner Politi made a statement saying that the unexpected costs in the repairs to the building make the whole venture unfortunate and advised the Trustees to seek professional help with respect to the decisions it has to make on these several concerns so that, by adopting a long -term view, the building would look less institutional. Nancy and Edward Jigarjian d/b /a Eddie's of Lexington then presented a proposal for exterior architectural changes and the erection and display of a sign on the building at 20 Waltham Street, which is within the Battle Green District. The following changes were proposed: 1. The applicants presented a plan of a new sign reading "Eddie's" and "Mixed Grill & Seafood ". It was VOTED unanimously that the sign 4' X 2'6" of green background to match the awning, raised letters in gold leaf, with a white line surrounding the letters and a logo painted white, be approved. 2. The current style of awning having been replaced three times, a new awning on a fixed frame was proposed. It was VOTED unanimously that the awning be approved as shown, provided it fits under the trim board on the building, that its green be the same as that on the background of the sign, and that it reads "Eddie's" in white lettering. 3. The applicants plan to paint the building white. Although the painting of a building white does not by itself need the approval of the Commission, Commissioner Morehouse advised getting good advice on putting paint on those old clapboards and suggested that, since paint is an invitation to look dirty soon, they should consider using a stain. Commissioner Morehouse also suggested that, because the windows are well proportioned and look quite authentic, the trim and corner boards on the house could be painted a warm, light grey (avoiding a grey with blue in it). The applicants also propose painting the door black and the trim around the sidelight green to match the awning, a combination that drew a mixed response from the Commission. Commissioner Morehouse suggested that painting the trim around the sidelight the same grey as the rest of the trim would allow the awning to give the punch to the exterior decoration. It was VOTED (Commissioners Davies, McAulay, Morehouse and Politi voting Aye and Commissioner Nye voting Nay) that the amended proposal to paint the clapboard siding white, the trim warm, light grey, the door • • • - 3 - black and its sidelight trim the same green as the awning be approved. 4. It was VOTED unanimously that the proposed installation of exterior electric light fixtures of a "trumpet" design made by MORAL be approved. 5. It was VOTED unanimously that the proposed erection of a stockade fence in its natural color to enclose the dumpster and having a locked gate be approved. At this point in the meeting Commissioner Morehouse had to leave the meeting and his place in the quorum was taken by Associate Commissioner Bergler. At 9:35 PM Marie Koutoudakis, d/b /a Mixed Doubles, then presented a proposal for the erection and display of a sign on the building at 3 Meriam Street, which is within the Battle Green District. The applicant presented a plan and photocopies of photographs of where the sign should hang. The general reaction of the Commission, not withstanding the experience of the applicant elsewhere, was that the sign looked too busy. The Chairman explained that it has a policy that signs should carry the name of the business and the service or goods it has to offer but not promotional or very general phrases. After reviewing the various components of the sign, the Commission VOTED unanimously to accept the design as presented, except that the logo be enlarged, the words "casual" and "gift items" be omitted, that the word "sportswear" be in the same typeface as "Tennis & Fitness" and that the background be painted green with letters in gold leaf. At 9:55 PM Elaine Crandall, d /b /a Montage of Lexington, made an informal presentation with respect to the erection and display of signs on the building at 1707 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green District. The applicant proposes to use a sign from her store in Chelmsford to hang in the archway of the building in Lexington and to make an oval sign of a similar design for a panel on the building. The Commission found the plans acceptable, with the amendment that the oval sign should be 16" high and proportionately long, but noted that formal approval would have to wait for the next meeting scheduled for April 3, 1990. The Chairman then observed that, in the meantime, if she chose to erect the signs, technically the risk is hers, but morally it is the Commission's, because the approval of the next hearing cannot be guaranteed. A bill totalling $68.67 from Beacon Communications was VOTED unanimously. The issue of the unapproved signs reading, "Thanks for Visiting Historic Lexington" were discussed briefly by the Commissioners and the Chairman said he would track down their source. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 PM. ALA Lin aJ. Secretary cAU ay Charles D. Grant Clerk