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Home My WebLink About2014-08-20-HC-minHISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 20, 2014 Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in the Learning Center at the Cary Memorial Library at 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA on 9/17/2014. The meeting convened at 6:35 pm. Historical Commission Members in Attendance: Mr. David Kelland, Chair, Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, Mr. Wendall Kalsow, Mr. Frank Kern (7:04pm) AGENDA ITEM #1 (6:35) Public Hearing on roof line change and partial building demolition application for 53 Simonds Road APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Thomas Hageman and Nancy Holtje, Roger Gallagher- Contractor ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Neighbor at 54 Simonds Road DOCUMENT(S): Certified Plot Plan- Colonial Surveying Company, INC 3 Oxford Ave, Belmont, Mass 02478 Proposed front elevation Existing front elevation Existing rear elevation Existing right and left elevation Existing first floor plan/existing rear entrance Proposed floor plan Rearview of proposed addition Proposed right elevation/proposed Proposed addition from Bertwell Road Proposed addition from right side Proposed site Proposed rear elevation SUMMARY: Thomas Hageman explained that the one story addition in rear of home is consistent with the existing house and architectural style. He also explained he would update and correct flaws with existing property and proposed addition will not be seen from the front of house. All changes being made will allow the house to be more accessible and easier to live in. HC COMMENTS: Mr. David Kelland states he has no issue with these plans. Mr. Kaslow noted that there is great documentation and addition is very appropriate. Ms. Fenollosa states that is exactly what they want to see as it melds with existing structure. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Neighbor in favor and supports addition MOTION: Moved by Mr. Wendall Kaslow moves, and seconded, to approve roof line change and proposed partial demolition. VOTE: 3-0 in favor to approve proposed roof line change and partial demolition. AGENDA ITEM # 2 Approval of Historical Commission Minutes from June 18, 2014 Accept minutes as amended AGENDA ITEM # 3 (7:O1pm) Public hearing on roof line change application for 15 Carville Road APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: Nate Wolfson, Sarah Metzger-Traber, Paul Sramowicz, Brian Sparrow- Contractors ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): Architectural plans Photographs SUMMARY: Paul Sramowicz states that this will be a two story addition with a garage. Homeowners state that there are not many houses with that style in the neighborhood. Addition will not exceed the maximum 40 feet. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Wendall Kaslow states that the house is essentially changing and questions whether or not it should be removed from the inventory. Also states that the demolition delay by law will have no affect here. Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa notes that nothing identified with the Historical Commission. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, and seconded, to remove 15 Carville Road from inventory list. VOTE: 3-0 in favor AGENDA ITEM: # 4 (7:15) Public hearing on roof line change application for 31 Harding Road APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: KT Wang (architect), Mr. J.P Lee (homeowner) DOCUMENT(S): Architect drawings including: First floor plan Second floor plan Roof plan Front elevation Right elevation Rear elevation Left elevation Pictures of home SUMMARY: KT Huang states that after informal hearing he went back and revised roof plans and that he will keep front, left and right exterior walls. HC COMMENTS: Mr. David Kelland states that it preserves the original architecture better than before but the issue is the change in the rear half of the roof. Mr. Wendall Kaslow questions whether or not he thought about only extending roof line. Mr. Frank Kern states that whether or not they consider it historically significant, it still constitutes a demolition. The house is already not keeping in style of the neighborhood and would be happy to remove it from the inventory. Ms. Marilyn Fellonosa agrees with Frank that a good solution is to say it is not historically or architecturally significant. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Ms. Marilyn Fenollosa, and seconded, to have the property address removed from the inventory. VOTE: 4-0 in favor to find the house not historically or architecturally significant and to have 31 Harding Road removed from the inventory list. AGENDA ITEM: # 5 (7:31 pm) Public hearing on full building demolition application of the storage building located at 31 Allen Street APPLICANT(S) PRESENT: John Carroll (homeowner) Scott Carroll (son) Sean Pepper (contractor) DOCUMENT(S): Map showing approximate location of storage building Pictures of storage building Picture of proposed storage building Floor plan and elevation Foundation Plan Foundation/details building plans SUMMARY: John Carroll explains he wants to take down the storage building. The side walls are bowing out due to previous fire damage repair. He will be replacing the storage building with one more useful and pleasing than what is there now. HC COMMENTS: David Kelland notes there are not many barns left in Lexington and that it has lost its historical significance in the fire. It would not be detrimental to permit its demolition. PUBLIC COMMENTS None MOTION: Moved by Ms. Fenollosa and seconded to approve the full building demolition VOTE: 4-0 favor to approve full building demolition of storage unit located at 31 Allen Street. AGENDA ITEM: # 6 (7:45 pm) Discussion with Meg Landers regarding Turning Mill neighborhood. Residents from Turning Mill Road, Gould Road, Dewey Road, Laconia St, and Demar Road expressed concerns regarding the demolition by- law and its ineffectiveness. Ms. Landers states that there is much history tied to the houses and with the "tech built" houses the authenticity and history of the neighborhoods are diminishing. Mr. Kelland agrees and is aware of these happenings but often faced with legal mandates and a limit in time delay they can impose. Any changes made to the by-law has to be approved in Town Meeting. Ms. Fenollosa suggested they look into forming an association such as Peacock Farm where the rules are much stronger than the Historical Commission can enforce. Residents discuss options that best suit them and agree the first place to start would be to speak to someone in the Peacock Farm neighborhood for their input. AGENDA ITEM: Adjourn MOTION: Moved by Mr. David Kelland, and seconded, to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned: (Time) 7:48 PM (EST)