HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-17-HC-min HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
January 17th 2018
Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in the Parker Room of
Lexington Town Hall located at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue. The meeting convened at
7:30PM.
Historical Commission Members in Attendance:
David Kelland, Chair, Marilyn Fenollosa, Diane Pursley, Wendall Kalsow, Samuel Doran
AGENDA ITEM #1 (7:30 PM)
Continued hearing on the roofline change located at 26 Downing Road
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
Kevin Thibodeau, Contractor
Bill Winder, Architect
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
None
DOCUMENT(S):
Photos of the existing house
Photos of the houses in the neighborhood
Plans of proposed addition
SUMMARY:
Mr. Thibodeau and Mr. Winder came back to the commission to go over plans for an addition at
26 Downing Road. Mr. Thibodeau mentioned the house is about 1,200 square feet and the
rooms are small which is why they want to put on the addition. He noted 24 Downing Road has
been torn down and was also on the Comprehensive Cultural Survey list.
HC COMMENTS:
Ms. Fenollosa suggested designing a new house that would better blend in with the
neighborhood. The current house does not rise to the level of other homes we have had come
forward. Mr. Kalsow noted the house is on the list because of the neighborhood. Mr. Doran said
the Historical Commission voted to make Fair Oaks a historical neighborhood developed by a
parcel of architects. The impression Mr. Doran had was that the applicants would come back
this month with tweaked plans. Mr. Thibodeau showed the commission plans for the addition but
with brick. Mr. Kelland does not feel this addition would be preserving the house but would
entertain other approaches.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
MOTION:
Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to find the house at 26 Downing Road preferably preserved and the
plans presented tonight dated 10.19.17 not compatible with the historical quality of the house.
Seconded by Mr. Doran.
VOTE:
5-0 Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Pursley and Mr. Doran in favor to impose
demolition delay.
AGENDA ITEM #2 (7:57 PM)
CPC Documents
APPLICANT (S) PRESENT:
Nathalie L. Rice, Town Clerk
Lee Yates, Archivist
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT:
None
DOCUMENT(S):
Town of Lexington FY 2019-FY 2023 Capital Improvements Projects
SUMMARY:
Ms. Rice went over the request for $20,000 in grant monies required to continue to preserve
historic documents. Ms. Rice read the definition of historic resources: The definition of"historic
resources"in the stature includes documents and artifacts that have been "determined by the
local historic preservation commission to be significant in history, archeology, architecture, or
culture of the town."
HC COMMENTS:
The commission had no concerns regarding this request.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
MOTION:
Moved by Mr. Kalsow to determine that documents from 1722-1923 to be significant to the
Town of Lexington. Seconded by Ms. Pursley.
VOTE:
5-0 In Favor Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran
AGENDA ITEM #3 (8:04 PM)
Letter to HDC concerning 905C Massachusetts Avenue
-Mr. Kelland discussed updates on 905C Massachusetts Avenue. He said Matt Thenen made a
proposal to the Historic District to demo the house, it was denied by the Historic District. There
is now a new proposal for the house adding on a large addition. The Historic Districts Meeting
is February 1st. Mr. Kelland wrote a letter to the Historic District Commission against the
addition and wanted the Historical Commission to review first. Mr. Fenollosa suggested taking
out the information in the letter that is not in the commission's prevue.
-Patricia Carnie, a neighbor of 905C (she resides at 90513) is also against this proposal. She feels
the neighborhood is unique and the proposed plans would more than double the house. The
commission agreed to authorize the letter with the modifications David will make.
8
MOTION:
Moved by Ms. Fenollosa that we authorize the letter David wrote with the changes made by the
commission tonight and sending us a copy. Seconded by Mr. Doran.
VOTE:
4-1 In Favor: Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran, with Mr. Kelland abstaining.
AGENDA ITEM #4 (8:32 PM)
Approve warrant article for amendments to demolition delay bylaw.
-Ms. Fenollosa reminded the commission that last month there was a vote to exclude Turning
Mill from Historical Commission jurisdiction. After meeting with neighbors and speaking with
Mr. Henry from Planning, Ms. Fenollosa said this doesn't work. We cannot write a bylaw for
one neighborhood with one exception and it is not fair. The warrant article will fix the scope.
Mr. Kelland asked if we can exempt any NCD in town from our jurisdiction. Ms. Fenollosa said
that's what the language says. We can't exempt only Turning Mill.
-Mr. Doran said he wished there were a way to go on a case by case basis. There are some
neighborhoods that may want an NCD but don't because it would remove our jurisdiction. It
waters down the influence of what we are meant to do for a neighborhood. He said he is
displeased but understands this is the way to do it.
MOTION:
Moved by Ms. Fenollosa that we accept this draft with amendments to the demolition delay
bylaw. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow.
VOTE:
4-1 Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kalsow in favor with Mr. Doran voting no.
AGENDA ITEM #5 (PM)
Updates
AGENDA ITEM #6 (PM)
Vote to accept meeting minutes dated November 15th 2017 and December 20th 2017
Moved by Ms. Fenollosa that we approve the minutes dated November 15th 2017 and December
20th 2017. Seconded by Mr. Doran 5-0 Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa and Mr. Doran,
Ms. Pursley in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #7 (9:52 PM)
Adjourn