HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-12•
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MINUTES OF MEETING
of the
Lexington Historic Districts Commission
Wednesday 12 December 1990
A meeting of the Lexington Historic Districts Commission was held on
Wednesday, December 12, 1990 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town
Office Building, Lexington, Massachusetts.
Present at the meeting were Commissioners Linda J. McAulay; Richard S.
Morehouse; Stephen M. Politi; Associate Commissioners Mary Harding Nye; and
Walter S. Pierce; and Charles D. Grant, Clerk. In the absence of Chairman
John L. Davies, Commissioner McAulay was elected Chairman of the Meeting
pro tem.
In the first hearing beginning at 8:10 PM the Conunission heard the
application of the Lexington Center Committee and the Design Advisory
Committee with respect to the installation of teakwood benches at Lexington
Center, which is within the Battle Green District. David Wells and John
Frey, representing the two committees respectively, presented photocopies of
the "London" bench made by Barlow Yyrie in Braintree, Essex, England and sold
in this country by Clapper's in West Newton, and a plan of proposed bench
locations, with priorities. The need for the benches, which are part of the
design guidelines for Lexington Center, is expressed in the summer when
people are already sitting on the curb. Their relationship to the planters
and the trash barrels was examined. In a discussion of the relationship
between the Design Advisory Committee and the Historic Districts Commission,
Commissioner Pierce, who sits on both, said the Commission gives teeth to the
work of the Committee. It was VOTED unanimously that the design, material,
location and number of benches as shown be approved.
In the second hearing beginning at 8 :40 PM took up the application of
the Lexington Historical Society with respect the the installation of a hand
rail on the exterior of the building at 1332 Massachusetts Avenue, which is
within the Munroe Tavern District. Peter Kelley, representing the Society,
showed photographs of a rail of 1- 5/16" iron pipe already in place, thanks to
the generosity of Elsa Sullivan. The point of the hearing was, therefore, to
judge the design and decide whether its installation would be confirmed as
permanent. Commissioner Pierce commented that the pipe rail is so
unobtrusive that it hardly appears against the house, however, the pipe
should not attach to the pilaster of the house, but rather turn down
independent of it. The Commission VOTED unanimously (Commissioner Politi
abstaining due to a possible conflict of interest) against the present rail
attached to the house, then VOTED in a tie (Commissioner Morehouse and
Assistant Commissioner Pierce voting Nay, Commissioner McAulay and Associate
Commissioner Nye voting Aye; and Commissioner Politi again abstaining) on the
motion to allow the rail with a vertical near the house, and therefore the
recently installed rail is disallowed. After the vote, Commissioner Politi,
who is also President of the Historical Society, said that the pipe rail had
never come before the Society for approval in the first place.
At 9:10 PM, while Owen Duff representing Mr and Mrs Ramish Ratan went
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home to fetch the plans of his client's house, Jacob and Amelia Bergmann made
an informal presentation of their proposal to install skylights in their
house at 9 Taven Lane, which is within the Munroe Tavern District. They
showed the plans of their architect, Paul Maggi; a sketch of the house from
Tavern Lane, and photographs of the house. The Commissioners looked at the
proposal to install three Roto roof windows on the north - facing side,
discussed whether smaller windows could be used, and saw no problem in the
formal hearing next month.
The last hearing of the evening concerned the application of Mr and Mrs
Ramish Ratan concerning exterior architectural changes to the building at 8
Parker Street, which is within the Battle Green District. The builder, Owen
Duff, presented the plans prepared by Margolis & Fishman, Inc. of Cambridge
for the winterizing of a porch at the rear of the house. The work involves
the removal of jalousied windows on the north and west elevations, their
replacement with double -hung windows and doors, and the installation of cedar
shingle siding. It was VOTED unanimously to approve:
on the east elevation: two double -hung windows;
on the north elevation: no chimney as originally proposed;
matching atrium doors;
on the west elevation: exterior door; double -hung window;
and the installation of cedar shingles with 8" exposure to continue the line
of the existing vinyl siding, and leaving the vertical strip at the end of
the east elevation of the main house.
• A bill of $317.50 from C.D. Grant for services and expenses was VOTED
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM.
f (Vat. cAcuile4
Linda J. McAulay
Secretary Clerk
Charles D. Grant