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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-18-HC-min HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 181h 2019 Call to Order: A public meeting of the Historical Commission was held in the Parker Room of Lexington Town Office Building located at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue. The meeting convened at 7:30PM. Historical Commission Members in Attendance: David Kelland Chair, Wendall Kalsow, Diane Pursley, Marilyn Fenollosa, Samuel Doran AGENDA ITEM #1 (7:30 PM) Vote for approval of historic documents for CPC application APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Nathalie Rice, Town Clerk Lee Yates Archivist SUMMARY: Ms. Rice went over the FY20201 request for CPA funds for the conservation and preservation of historic municipal documents and records. Documents to be conserved under this funding request include: Colonial Tax Warrants, 1873 Tax Book, Police Department Journals from 1874- 1909 and Valuation Books from 1916-1918. MOTION: Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to find the documents to be "Historic resources" within the meaning of the Community Preservation Act and support the proposed FY2021 CPA funding of continuing to preserve and digitize the town's historic documents. VOTE: 5-0 In favor of CPA Funding: Mr. Kelland, Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Pursley, Ms. Fenollosa, and Mr. Doran AGENDA ITEM #2 (7:40PM) Public hearing on the partial building demolition at 48 Peacock Farm Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Bill and Julie King, Homeowners Michael Samra and Julie Evans, Architects Troika ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Silvia Cavallini, 46 Peacock Farm Road DOCUMENT(S): Plans dated 11/21/2019 Photos of existing house Letter from Peacock Farm Association SUMMARY: Mr. Samra went over the project at 48 Peacock Farm Road. Mr. Samra is proposing to replace sliding doors, replacing windows with triple pane and two small additions: creating a master suite with an office below, and a music room. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Kelland asked if there are any changes to the existing walls? Mr. Samra said no changes but opening a door way to enter in. Mr. Kalsow asked if they are adding windows in the front of the house. Mr. Samra said yes they want to enclose the breezeway. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Silvia Cavallini of 46 Peacock Farm Road feels the project is great and in keeping with the Walter Pierce mid modern look. MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kalsow to find 48 Peacock Farm Road preferably preserved and that the proposed plans presented to the meeting tonight dated November 21st 2019 are appropriate and in keeping with the character with the historic house. Seconded by Ms. Pursley VOTE: 5-0 in favor of partial building demolition: Mr. Kelland, Mr. Kalsow, Ms. Pursley, Ms. Fenollosa, and Mr. Doran AGENDA ITEM #3 (7:52 PM) Public hearing on the roofline change at 43 Somerset Road APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: David Barry, Homeowner Bill Erickson, Architect ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Denise Long, 44 Somerset Road DOCUMENT(S): Photos of existing house Plans Dated 10/15/2019 Letters from Abutters in support of project SUMMARY: Mr. Erickson went over plans for the addition at 43 Somerset Road. The second floor currently has one bathroom and they would like to add two bathrooms for their family. They are planning to build on top of the 2004 addition and balance elevations with windows that match the current house (wood windows). HC COMMENTS: Mr. Doran feels the plans are complimentary to the existing house. The Commission asked questions regarding the proposed plans. Mr. Kalsow asked if they are lowering the grade. Mr. Erickson said no. Ms. Pursley asked if they are rebuilding the chimney. Mr. Erickson said no PUBLIC COMMENTS: Ms. Long of 44 Somerset Road asked why they did not consider stucco as siding for the addition. Mr. Erickson said they did consider it but they wanted to add the same siding for the second story as there is on the first story of that portion of the house. Mr. Erickson stated that they tried to envision stucco on the second story of the dwelling but it did not look good. MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kalsow to find 43 Somerset Road preferably preserved and that the proposed plans presented to the meeting tonight dated October 15'h 2019 are appropriate and in keeping with the character with the historic house. Seconded by Mr. Doran. VOTE: 5-0 In favor of roofline change: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley and Mr. Doran. AGENDA ITEM #4 (8:03 PM) Public hearing on the full building demolition at 21 Oakland Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Zoltan Juhasz, Homeowner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: Richard Hawkins, 19 Oakland Street Rebecca Hawkins, 19 Oakland Street Peter Wright, 54 Grant Street John Coakley, 23 Oakland Street DOCUMENT(S): Letter to the Commission dated 12/18/2019 SUMMARY: Mr. Juhasz read his letter to the Commission requesting a full building demolition. The home had been on the market previously and did not sell. Also, the house is deteriorating and Mr. Juhasz would like to build a new home. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Doran said the property was a horse stable previously. The home was concerted within the last ten years. The home is part of a vista that seems to be disappearing in Lexington. Mr. Doran would like to see more documentation backing up Mr. Juhasz letter to the Commission. The Commission agreed. The Commission suggested that Mr. Juhasz can come back to present further information for the full building demolition. PUBLIC COMMENTS: -Mr. Hawkins of 19 Oakland Street expressed concerns regarding blasting and the older homes that are in the neighborhood and what will go into demolishing the home. Mr. Juhasz said he will not blast in rock. Ms. Hawkins of 19 Oakland Street feels there needs to be a better process than a one year demolition delay. -Mr. Wright of 54 Grant Street asked what Mr. Juhasz is planning to build? Mr. Juhasz said there are no formal plans yet. -Mr. Coakley of 23 Oakland Street expressed similar concerns of the blasting and was curious to see the proposed design and how it fits with the neighborhood. Ms. Fenollosa reminded the abutter's that the Historical Commission does not have design review. MOTION: Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to find 21 Oakland Street preferably preserved and impose a one year delay expiring December 18'h 2020. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow. VOTE: 5-0 in favor of demolition delay: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland, Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley and Mr. Doran. AGENDA ITEM #5 (8:25 PM) Public hearing on the full building demolition at 3-5 Utica Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: James Barr, Homeowner ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: None DOCUMENT(S): None SUMMARY: Mr. Barr is requesting a full building demolition for the home located at 3-5 Utica Street. Mr. Barr did not bring any information he wanted to start the one year delay. HC COMMENTS: Mr. Doran asked why Mr. Barr wants to demolish the home. Mr. Barr said he has an opportunity to build a two family home for his family and the house currently is in poor condition. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kalsow find 3-5 Utica Street preferably preserved and impose a one year delay expiring December 18'h 2020. Seconded by Mr. Doran. VOTE: 5-0 in favor of demolition delay: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kelland and Ms. Pursley AGENDA ITEM #6 (8:43 PM) Public hearing on the full building demolition at 53 Hancock Street APPLICANT (S) PRESENT: Raymond Schechner Attorney ABUTTER(S) PRESENT: See attached Sign in Sheet DOCUMENT(S): None SUMMARY: Mr. Schechner came forward on behalf of his client(Trustee Max Schechner) requesting a full building demolition. Mr. Schechner can see people care deeply about the property and sure the Commission views this as a preferably preserved property and will abide by the Commission's decision. HC COMMENTS: Ms. Fenollosa said this is a significant house built by David Tuttle and there is evidence the home is in pristine condition and structurally sound. The Commission expressed their concerns regarding the full building demolition at 53 Hancock Street. Mr. Doran suggested the applicant should listen to the community and their concerns. Mr. Kalsow said the Commission has a limited tool box in terms of the demolition delay and suggest people go to Town Meeting in order to make changes to the bylaw. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Manuel Navia, 55 Hancock Street Laura Rosen, 49 Somerset Road Cinday Savage, 6 Berwock Road Fred Johnson, 4 Stetson Street Marianne Lazarus, 22 Hayes Lane Dawn Mckenna, 9 Hancock Street Adam Brown, 50 Hancock Street Suzy Winchester, 57 Hancock Street Martha Kvaal, 18 Highland Avenue Winifred McGowan, 1 Seaborn Place Theodore Dickinson, 48 Hancock Street Helen Wright, 55B Hancock Street Bridger McGraw 89 Meriam Street Diane Dicicco, 31 Hancock Street Stephan Prock, 47 Hancock Street Varda Haimo, 12 Jean Road The above listed individuals spoke in opposition of the full building demolition at 53 Hancock Street. MOTION: Moved by Mr. Kalsow to find 53 Hancock Street preferably preserved and impose a one year delay expiring December 18th 2020. Seconded by Ms. Fenollosa VOTE: 5-0 in favor of imposing demolition delay: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kelland and Ms. Pursley AGENDA ITEM #7 (10:01PM) Vote for New Chair of Historical Commission -A motion was made by Wendall Kalsow to nominate Marilyn Fenollosa as Chair of the Historical Commission. Seconded by Mr. Doran. 5-0 in favor of Marilyn Fenollosa as chair: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kelland and Ms. Pursley AGENDA ITEM #8 (8:30 PM) Vote to accept meeting minutes dated July 17th 2019, August 21st, September 18th 2019 October 16th and November 20th -Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to approve minutes dated July 17th 2019. Seconded by Mr. Doran. 3- 0 in favor: Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Doran, and Ms. Pursley. -Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to approve minutes as amended dated August 21st 2019. Seconded by Ms. Pursley. 3-0 in favor: Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley and Mr. Kelland. -Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to approve minutes as amended dated September 18th 2019. Seconded by Mr. Doran. 3-0 in favor: Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Doran and Mr. Kalsow. -Moved by Ms. Fenollosa to approve minutes as amended dated October 16'h 2019. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow. 3-0 in favor: Ms. Fenollosa, Ms. Pursley and Mr. Kalsow. -Moved by Mr. Kalsow to approve minutes as amended dated November 20'h 2019. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow. 3-0 in favor: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Kelland and Ms. Pursley. AGENDA ITEM #9 (10:18 PM) Motion to adjourn made by Ms. Fenollosa to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Kalsow. 5-0 favor to adjourn: Mr. Kalsow, Mr. Doran Ms. Fenollosa, Mr. Kelland and Ms. Pursley Adjourn.