HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-17-HC-min.docxLexington Historical Commission
Meeting Minutes
June 17`h, 2026
Meeting Conducted by Remote Participation
Commissioners Present: Marilyn Fenollosa, Diane Pursley, Susan Bennett, Wendall Kalsow.
Commissioners Absent:
Associate Commissioners Present: David Kelland.
Associate Commissioner Absent:
Vice Chair Diane Pursley called the June 17th, 2026 Historical Commission meeting to order at
7:08 pm.
AGENDA ITEM #1: Consideration and vote on Election for Chair and Vice Chair
Mr. Kalsow nominated Ms. Pursley as the new Chair and Ms. Fenollosa as the new Vice Chair,
respectively. Ms. Bennett seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes,
Mr. Kalsow — Yes,
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes.
Motion carried 5 to 0. Motion carried. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #2: Approval of meeting minutes of the meetings held on May 21st, 2026
This item will postpone to next meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #3: Continued Public Hearing regarding the addition of former Parker School —
314 Bedford Street to the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey (continued from
May)
Ms. Fenollosa stated that because of its history, architectural significance, and association with one of
Lexington's most important architects, the former Parker School (314 Bedford Street) should be added to
the Comprehensive cultural resources survey. It means that this building will be subject to the Demolition
Delay Bylaw, which means that if the owner of the building wished to demolish or significantly alter the
parts of the building and substantial demolition would include changing the roof line, taking off the siding,
replacing all the windows, significant changes to architectural of the building. Before it can happen, the
owner has to come to a hearing before the Historical Commission and explain why and what the changes
that he is proposing are necessary. At that time, if Historical Commission thinks that the building is
preferably preserved, then it has a few alternatives. Historical Commission can try to work with the owner
to find a preservation solution. For example, architects, builders, and contractors can fix the problem in a
preservation way. Or we can encourage the owner that if he can't find a preservation solution, he may
want to sell the ownership interest. Or thirdly, we impose a demolition delay, but the demolition delay
would then expire after 21 months, and the owner is free to do whatever he or she wants. This is a process
that is mandate by Bylaw. And it was put in place to protect significant building such as this one from
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changes that would possibly be altered to have a preservation solution because the building is so important.
This is only for external. Nothing happens on the interior of the building. In fact, this Bylaw does not
cover any modifications, renovations that would happen inside the building.
Russel Tanner, Trustee of the Condo Association and Board member at LexHAB, Elaine Tung, Jay Luker,
Melinda Walker, Ravneet Grewal and Betsey Weiss expressed their concerns regarding the preservation
of the affordable housing units. They suggested that Historical Commission should make exemption for
the Parker Manor Condominiums at 314 Bedford Street.
Mr. Kalsow made a motion to include the former Parker School — 314 Bedford Street in the
Lexington Historical Commission Inventory. Ms. Fenollosa seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Abstain,
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Kalsow — Yes.
Ms. Pursley — Yes,
Motion carried 4 to 0. Motion carried with Ms. Bennett abstaining. The majority in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition (Window and Door
replacement, residing, reroofing) at 21 Butler Avenue (HC -26-3)
APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Cindy You, Contractor
Bill You, Contractor
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: none
DOCUMENT(S): Homeowner letter: dated May 20, 2026
Individual Building Form from Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey: dated May 21, 2026
Photos: dated May 28, 2026
Plan ofsiding: dated May 28, 2026
SUMMARY:
Cindy You, contractor, presents the proposed plans for the residing project for the historic property at 21
Butler Ave. The current siding material is cedar. The proposed materials for siding will be Westlake Royal
Vinyl siding.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission suggested replacing the entire siding with new cedar to match the original wood material.
The Commission and contractors agreed to continue this hearing to July.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Public Hearing regarding the removal of 9-11 Cedar Street from the Lexington
Comprehensive Cultural Resource Survey
APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Christine Emery Goodwin, Executor of the Velma M Emery Revocable Trust
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ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: none
DOCUMENT(S): Photos: dated June 19, 2026
Plot Plan 2173 Mass Ave: dated July 6, 1956
Workscope Narrative: dated June 17, 2026
Inventory Form B 9-11 Cedar St: dated August 27, 1998
SUMMARY:
Christine Goodwin, Executor of the Velma M Emery Revocable Trust, requested to remove the property
9-11 Cedar Street from the Lexington Comprehensive Cultural Resource Survey because this structure
has lost all its historical significance.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission recommended that if the applicant would like to pursue a demolition delay during next
subsequent meeting and then Historical Commission could vote on this matter.
AGENDA ITEM #6: Continued Public Hearing regarding the Partial Building Demolition
(Additions) at 24 Parker Street (HC -26-2)
APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Vivek Gupta, Homeowner
ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: none
DOCUMENT(S): Updated proposed plans: dated June 10, 2026
SUMMARY:
Vivek Gupta, homeowner, presents the updated addition plans and comparison of elevation plans for this
structure at 24 Parker Street. It includes retaining the front enclosed porch, replacing any deteriorated
elements matching the existing elements and a rear second story addition (accessory dwelling unit) above
the existing garage.
No public comments.
HC COMMENTS:
The Commission agreed that the proposed front porch repair matching the existing elements and the rear
second -story addition above the existing garage are appropriateness.
Motion:
Ms. Fenollosa made a motion that the property at 24 Parker Street was a significant building,
preferably preserved, and the proposed demolition of the garage roof and rear wall of the house
and additions plans as presented during the Historical Commission meeting on June 17th, 2026 were
permitted. Mr. Kelland seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
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Ms. Bennett — Yes,
Ms. Kalsow — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes.
Motion carried 5 to 0. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #7: Approval of Historic School website
Mr. Kalsow made a motion to approve the website for Historic Schools in Lexington. Ms. Bennett
seconded.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Kelland — Yes,
Ms. Kalsow — Yes,
Ms. Bennett — Yes,
Ms. Fenollosa — Yes,
Ms. Pursley — Yes.
Motion carried 5 to 0. All in favor.
AGENDA ITEM #8: Input from Commissioners on other matters
Mr. Kalsow brought up the demolition of historic brick chimney located at 52 Lowell Street discussed
two years ago. DPW presented a consultant's report that recommended repairs be made to the chimney.
As far as he knows, these repairs were not made. Mr. Kalsow requested that staff from DPW come before
the Historical Commission and give an update as to where the repairs stand at this point.
Mr. Kalsow requested that the proposed plans submitted for the new hearings should include existing
plans next to proposed plans and existing elevations next to proposed elevations on the same page.
Ms. Fenollosa expressed her concerns with regards to the private jet expansion project. Lex Observer
published an article "Controversial private jet expansion proposal at Hanscom faces setbacks as
developers look to move project ahead" on May 28th, 2026, regarding to this Hanscom expansion project.
AGENDA ITEM #9: Input from the public on other matters
None
AGENDA ITEM 10: Adjourn
Ms. Bennett made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Fenollosa at 9:02pm. Motion carried. All
in favor.
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