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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-16-HC-minHISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 16th 2019 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, Wendall Kalsow, Marilyn Fenollosa, Samuel Doran- 7:38PM AGENDA ITEM #1 (7:31 PM) Continued hearing on the partial building demolition and roofline change at 186 Bedford Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Joe Ciampa, Homeowner Doug Harnett, Highpoint Engineering ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Wendy Reasenberg, 16 Garfield Street Jing Wang, 23 Reed Street Teresa Wright, 35 Reed Street Rebecca Cutler, 19 Reed Street Qiao Jizen, 4 Reed Street DOCUMENT(S): Updated Proposed Plans Dated 1/7/2019 Proposed Mixed-Use Development Plan Dated 1/9/2019 SUMMARY: Mr. Harnett went over updated plans for 186 Bedford Street with the Commission. Mr. Harnett and Mr. Ciampa asked to be continued from the meeting last month to adjust their plans. Last month, the Commission expressed their concerns over the proposed addition. The Commission suggested the addition be set back from the historic structure instead of making it more prominent than the historic resource. Mr. Harnett went over the new site plan and architectural style of the building. The modified proposed floor plan will pull the alcove an additional 5 feet, open up the corner of the building and pull the roofline back ten feet on the second floor. HC COMMENTS: The Commission expressed their disappointment to see that their comments and recommendations from last month were not fully implemented. The scale and size of the addition continues to compromise the integrity of the historic structure because of its positioning immediately abutting and jutting in front of the original structure. As stated at the prior meeting, the addition should be set back and apart from the historic building to complement rather than diminish it. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Wendy Reasenberg, 16 Garfield Street feels she cannot support the project. This version of the proposal does not have a look and feel of a historic project. There is too much activity for the size of the property. The plan shows no green space for the residents. 186 Bedford Street is the entrance to the Reed Street. This is a quiet family centered neighborhood and the community is concerned of the potential traffic tie ups and the project should be smaller. Jing Wang, 23 Reed Street reemphasized from last month wanting to keep the use as residential. Teresa Wright, 35 Reed Street echoed the Commission's concerns that the project has not been changed. It is one of the few historic buildings in the neighborhood that we should keep. Rebecca Cutler 19 Reed Street is a direct abutter. She can see the building from her house and loves the old building. Ms. Cutler is concerned over the size of the project and the lack of character to the building. Qiao Jizen, 4 Reed Street appreciate his neighbors' comments and echo's their concerns. MOTION: Applicant Mr. Joe Ciampa asked to be continued to the meeting next month after meeting with the Planning Board February 6h. AGENDA ITEM #2 (7:55PM) Continued hearing on the full building demolition at 60-62 Woburn Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Domenico Gallineli, Contractor on behalf of Laraine Grella ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Updated Structural Engineer Letter dated January 16'h 2019 SUMMARY: Mr. Gallineli went over what he has done for research since the last hearing regarding 60 Woburn Street. There is water coming into the house: the basement has large gaps causing water to come in. The second floor ceiling has collapsed. Mr. Gallineli tried searching for a Historic Structural Engineer but could not find anyone. He had a Civil Engineer survey the property and the conclusion was there is ledge causing the water to come in making the foundation unstable. Mr. Gallineli had Mr. Doran came to look at the house as well. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Doran discussed his visit to 60 Woburn Street. Mr. Doran noted walking around the house he was cautious of the foundation. The interior of the home displayed no historic fabric. Mr. Doran also did some research on the home and there was no residential house on the 1880 map. The commission feels if the home is structurally unsound and lost its integrity, they should considerer removing it from the inventory. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to find that because the home at 60 Woburn Street has lost its historic and structural integrity and is no longer a contributing asset, it will be removed from the inventory. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow. VOTE: 4-0 In favor of removing 60 Woburn Street from the inventory: Mr., Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Down and Mr. Kalsow. AGENDA ITEM #3 (8:10 PM) Public hearing on the partial building demolition and roofline change at 18 Tucker Avenue. APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Joshua Model, Homeowner Dan Hisel, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Proposed Plans dated December 2018 SUMMARY: Mr. Model and his family have lived at 10 Tucker Avenue for ten years. The home is small, on a small lot. His children currently share a bedroom and they would like to expand the house. Mr. Hisel went over the proposed plans with the board. Mr. Hisel is looking to add a third floor to the house: add 2 dormers that face east and west to allow a master suite on the upper floor. This will allow the children to have separate bedrooms. Mr. Hisel said he worked hard to maintain the original structure which is a modest cottage and hold both dormers back from the front gable by about ten feet and preserve the gable facade from the street. Mr. Hisel stated he already cleared a Variance with the Zoning Board of Appeals for the proposed work. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kalsow had some reservations of the details of how some things are executed however, feels the select proposed addition is appropriately set back from the street elevation and appropriate scale and it is respectful of the historic building. Ms. Fenollosa agreed. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kalsow find 18 Tucker Avenue historically significant and permit the proposed addition at 18 Tucker Avenue based off plans dated December 2018 and presented at this meeting. Seconded by Ms. Fenollosa. VOTE: 4-0 in favor of partial building demolition and roofline change: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran, Ms. Fenollosa and Mr. Kelland. AGENDA ITEM #4 (8:20 PM) Public hearing on the roofline change at 6 Rowland Avenue APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: David Ingram and Laura Atlee, Homeowners ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Proposed Plans dated 11/20/2018 SUMMARY: Mr. Ingram told the commission he and his family moved into the home last August. Mr. Ingram said the family enjoys living in a home with so much history. He lives in the home with his wife and four children. Mr. Ingram would like to add a dormer to the back of the house and install a bathroom for the children. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kalsow mentioned the designer should show existing and proposed elevations when presenting to the commission. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kalsow to find 6 Rowland Avenue preferably preserved and approve plans presented at this meeting dated 11/20/2018. Seconded by Mr. Doran. VOTE: 4-0 in favor of roofline change: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran, Ms. Fenollosa and Mr. Kelland. AGENDA ITEM #5 (8:25 PM) Public hearing on the roofline change at 14 Percy Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Richard Pierce, Homeowner Greg Stanley, Designer ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Existing Photos of the home Proposed plans dated November 2018 SUMMARY: Mr. Stanley told the commission Mr. Pierce recently purchased the property and is looking to do an interior remodel. They would like to remove a chimney located in one of the stairwells. They are looking to maintain the character of the outside of house and do a renovation on interior of the home. HC COMMENTS: The commission did not have any concerns regarding the roofline change. They reminded Mr. Stanley and Mr. Pierce that they will have to come back to the commission if they plan to do any other exterior work such as the roof. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Mr. Doran to find 14 Percy Road preferably preserved and approve the removal of the left west side chimney based on the plans dated November 2018 presented at this meeting, noting the wood shingle roof shall be maintained. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow. VOTE: 4-0 in favor of roofline change: Mr. Doran, Mr. Kalsow Ms. Fenollosa and Mr. Kelland. AGENDA ITEM #6 (8:35 PM) Status of CPA/MHC Inventory grants Ms. Fenollosa went over updates with the commission. Town Counsel said this project is not eligible for CPA funding. Ms. Kowalski said there may be an opportunity to get matching funds from one of the trusts in town. Ms. Fenollosa also spoke with Mr. Stott at MHC and he suggested to go ahead and apply. AGENDA ITEM #7 (8:40 PM) Discussion of definition of Substantial Demolition The commission made edits to the current substantial demolition definition. A motion was made by Ms. Fenollosa to approve the amended definition for substantial demolition as discussed at the meeting tonight. Seconded by Mr. Doran. 4-0 in favor: Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran and Mr., Kelland. AGENDA ITEM #8 (9:00 PM) Nomination and vote of new Historical Commission Chair Person Mr. Kalsow nominated Mr. Kelland as Chair for the Historical Commission. Seconded by Mr., Doran. Mr. Kalsow nominated Ms. Fenollosa as Vice Chair of the Historical Commission. Seconded by Mr., Doran. The Historical Commission voted, 3-0 in favor,to re-appoint Mr. Kelland as Chair of the Historical Commission. Mr. Kelland will serve a one year term that will expire January 161' 2020. The Historical Commission voted, 3-0 in favor,to re-appoint Ms. Fenollosa as Vice Chair of the Historical Commission. Ms. Fenollosa will serve a one year term that will expire January 161h 2020. AGENDA ITEM #9 (9:09 PM) Vote to accept meeting minutes dated November 14'h 2018 and December 19'h 2018 A motion made by Mr. Kalsow to accept the minutes dated November 14'h 2018 and December 19'h 2018 as amended. Seconded by Mr. Kelland. 4-0 in Favor: Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley, Mr. Kelland and Mr. Kalsow. AGENDA ITEM #10 (9:12 PM) Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Kelland to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow 4-0 favor to adjourn Mr. Kelland, Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Fenollosa, and Mr. Doran Adjourn.