HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-20•
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MINUTES OF MEETING
of the
Lexington Historic Districts Commission
Wednesday 20 June 1990
A meeting of the Lexington Historic Districts Commission was held on
Wednesday, June 20, 1990 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Office
Building, Lexington, Massachusetts.
Present at the meeting were Commissioners John L. Davies, Chairman;
Linda J. McAulay, Secretary; and John E. Ryan; Associate Commissioners Walter
H. Bergler, Jr.; Elizabeth B. Cotten and Walter S. Pierce; and Charles D.
Grant, Clerk.
At 8:00 PM the Chairman declared the meeting open and read the notice on
the application of Susan Burgess d/b /a Antiquity, Inc. with respect to the
erection and display of a sign on the building at 32 Waltham Street, which is
within the Battle Green District. The applicant submitted a drawing of the
proposed sign and showed a sample of the lettering in antique gold paint on a
burgundy background. Concerning the lettering, the Chairman said the
Commission is trying to standardize the use of gold leaf, rather than gold
paint which does not keep its original lustre. It was VOTED unanimously that
the proposed sign be approved as presented, to be made of wood, measuring
2' X 5', reading "Antiquity, Inc. / Antiques - Collectibles - Consignments"
(with Collectibles spelled correctly), with the background color as shown in
the sample and the lettering in gold leaf.
At the second hearing the Chairman read the notice on the application of
Marble Rock Cinema Corporation with respect to changes in the sign on the
building at 1794 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green
District. The company was represented by G. Anderson Rockerfeller who
submitted a design for the replacement of the existing sign face and showed
photographs of where the old Loews sign was and a general view of the cinemea
building. It was VOTED unanimously that the proposed sign be approved as
presented, a Lexan plastic replacement sign for the face of the existing
cabinet, with translucent letters reading "Lexington / Flick ", with either
solid, or black - outlined letters, at the favor of the applicant.
At the third hearing the Chairman read the notice on the application of
Joseph McDonough with respect to exterior architectural changes to the
building at 926 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the East Village
District. In his introduction, the Chairman noted that, in having his
hearing postponed twice, the applicant has been somewhat abused by this
process. The applicant submitted a site plan for the condominium at 924 -926
and a plan of the proposed enlargement of the deck on unit 926. The platform
itself, being virtually invisible from the public road, has been built while
construction of the railing has been deferred until after this hearing. The
discussion centered around the proposed railing of pressure - treated wood to
be left natural, whereas, as Associate Commissioner Pierce pointed out, the
character of Massachusetts Avenue and the Historic District does not feature
natural wood. It was VOTED (Commissioners Davies and Ryan and Associate
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Commissioner Bergler voting Aye and Commissioner McAulay and Associate
Commissioner Pierce voting Nay) that the proposed railing be approved as
presented, with the pressure - treated wood left unfinished.
At the fourth hearing the Chairman read the notice on the application of
the Dana Home, Inc. with respect to an exterior architectural change to the
building at 2027 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the Battle Green
District. Dana Home was represented by Walter Hatfield, Pat Austin and Norma
Perry who presented a plan, drawn by RI.CO. Iron & Metal Works Inc. of
Roxbury, for the relpacement of the existing wooden escape route with an iron
one. The Chairman said he was bothered first of all by seeing vertical
ballusters on the landings while the ballusters on the runs follow the grades
of ther several flights. Moreover, the Commissioners found the plans were
not to scale, so that it was impossible to tell how each of the various
components of the fire escape would appear in relation to the others. It was
VOYED ( Associate Commissioner Cotten replacing Commissioner McAuley for this
vote) unanimously to approve in principle the fire escape design as
submitted, from the first level to the third level, with the lower level
stair, porch and lattice to be left in wood and repaired as necessary; and
requesting a scale drawing to accurately show the sizes of all the members,
including the handrails, and that the railings be modified so that they have
either all vertical or all horizontal ballusters; and also to approve the
repair of the front porch as proposed in the drawings submitted, using
vertical ballusters in its railings.
At 9:20 PM in a continued hearing, Alan Asetta submitted revised plans
of an addition, including a elevated deck at the rear of the addition, to the
• building at 960 Massachusetts Avenue, which is within the East Village
District. It was VOTED unanimously to approve the design as submitted, and
if the applicant choses to change the spacing of the posts of the deck
railing to allign them with the lower supporting posts, that would be
acceptable also.
In an informal hearing, C. Thomas Swaim made a presentation on behalf of
Shell Oil Company concerning a proposed retrofit of its station at 46 Bedford
Road, which is within the Battle Green District. Two sheets of plans, a
color chart, and color illustrations of architectural features on new company
stations accompanied the statement by the company to respect the character of
the Historic District. In summary, the Commission encouraged the company's
intention to pay more attention to the landscaping of its station; felt that
the word "Autocare" does not belong on the big sign having the shell logo but
is appropriate over the service doors; has no objection to "Snack Shop "; and
felt that "All Repairs Guaranteed" was not needed.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM.
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Linda J. McAuley
Secretary
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Charles D. Grant
Clerk