HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-13-HDC447-minNotes from February 13, 2019 HDC Ad Hoc Study Committee Public Meeting
Study Committee members present: Anne Eccles, Chair, Lester Savage, Norman Cohen,
Marilyn Fenollosa, Fred Johnson, Susan Bennett
HDC Members present: Anne Eccles, Chair, Ed Adelman, Bob Adams, Robin Levett,
Paul O'Shaughnessy, Associate Members Susan Bennett and Mark Connor
After a Powerpoint presentation by Anne Eccles, the audience asked a number of
questions. The questions and answers (edited for clarity) are summarized below by topic.
Scope of HDC Authority
Q. Does visibility from the bikeway bring a building facade under HDC jurisdiction?
A. Yes
Q. If you have an empty lot next to you, does HDC regulate?
A. No, that is an issue for zoning.
Process for Obtaining Certificate of Appropriateness
Q. What is timeline for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness?
A. Usually within 60 days.
Q. Has requirement of newspaper notification been eliminated?
A. No, still required.
Q. Would be helpful to provide more information on process of approval on-line. The
informal hearing process needs to be more widely advertised. The flow chart of process
should include informal hearing step.
Enforcement Powers
Q. Does HDC address temporary changes or work that is never completed?
A. Building Department is enforcement arm.
Q. What is a building you own has deviated from HDC requirements prior to your
ownership? Does a new buyer have to make corrections?
A. HDC doesn't seek to force compliance in those cases. HDC is working with Building
Department to assure that a certificate of occupancy is not issued if work does not
comply with certificate of appropriateness.
Recommended Contractors
Q. Does HDC recommend designers and builders with good track records for HDC
approval?
A. HDC does not, but the Town Building Department might be able to offer
recommendations.
Q. Where can you find the list of door and window restoration contractors?
A. At the HDC Clerk's office in the Building Department at Town Hall.
Design Process
Q. In order to evaluate suitable house colors or modifications, how do you figure out
what style of house you have?
A. HDC Clerk can assist. Form B from the Cultural Resources Inventory is a valuable
resource. The Historical Commission website also provides style guidance.
Q. Guidelines say design "shall" conform to a given standard. Sounds mandatory, not
permissive
A. HDC can deviate from guidelines.
Q. Looks like the guidelines provide latitude with respect to paint colors. How about
siding — is that permitted?
A. (Unclear answer to the siding issue)
Q. Are solar panels acceptable under certain parameters?
A. Better to install them on back of building away from view but front installation has
been permitted with certain limitations.
Q. Is HDC aware of roof tiles that are solar?
A. Yes, but they are very expensive.
Q. It's confusing to identify appropriate colors for a house that encompasses more than
one style.
A. Schedule an informal hearing with HDC to obtain guidance.
Q. Chimney caps are prevalent throughout the historic district despite guidelines to the
contrary.
Homeowner Awareness of Historic District Regulation
Q. How are potential buyers made aware that a house under consideration is in the
historic district?
A. Real estate brokers should advise clients.
Q. (follow up) But it appears that brokers may not be doing so.
Discussion: A packet could be sent to new homeowners, but that is too late to influence
the purchase decision. Could historic district designation be noted in the Registry of
Deeds on the title? Perhaps brokers should be better informed of the importance of
historic districts designation and its impact on homeowners. Would be helpful to have
assessor's database reflect it.