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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-20• • 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 _f� • 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. ¶ Linda J. McAuley Secretary - 2 - Charles D. Grant Clerk