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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-04-HDC-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON Anne Eccles,chair HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Robert Adams Edward Adelman Meeting broadcasted Robin Lovett Paul O'Shaughnessy by LexMedia Approved on Apr171, 2021 MINUTES FOR THURSDAY, March 4, 20215:00 PM Conducted by Remote Participation Commissioners Present: Anne Eccles, Chair, Robert Adams, Edward Adelman, Robin Lovett, and Paul O'Shaughnessy Associate Commissioners Present: Mark Connor, Dan Hisel Staff Present: Maureen Adema, Admin. Asst. Others: Dawn McKenna, Marilyn Fenollosa Chair Anne Eccles called the March 4, 2021 HDC meeting to order at 5:13 pm Chair Anne Eccles read for the record, Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law and remote meeting protocols. FORMAL HEARING 1403 Massachusetts Ave,Cristina Burwell,Munroe Center request to add an awning at parking lot back door in the Munroe District per legal notice of hearing on 3.4.21 in Lexington Minuteman newspaper 2.18.21. HDC members received related materials in advance of the hearing. Cristina Burwell was logged into the meeting to speak to and answer questions for the proposed awning to be installed at the door at the back parking lot of the Munroe Center. Ms. Burwell stated the Munroe Center for the Arts is requesting permission for the installation of an awning at the rear door of the building at 1403 Massachusetts Ave. This entry has become the unofficial front door of the establishment, as it provides direct access from the parking lot into the building. This entrance allows an"accessible" entry to the building. The awning will allow this area to be beneficial to students waiting outdoors for rides home. Additionally, it will provide Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington March 4,2021 1 shelter to those waiting for the automatic door to open. The driveway off Mass Ave leads to the parking lot, 95 percent of the visitors use this as an entrance into the facility. The proposed awning is to be a 39" high by 29'long by 60"in size. Members' questions,thoughts, suggestions Robin Lovett, no questions. Ed would have liked to see a site plan of the building as part of the submission.Ms. Burwell provided photos of the outside in place of a site plan. Bob Adams stated it looks fine,he looked to be sure the roof would not be an issue. Dan Hisel asked what color the awning would be. The awning will be a blue. Anne Eccles asked if the awning would have a logo. No logo, solid blue color only. Anne stated it is a nice project. No Abutters present to speak Bob Adams made a motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the installation of an awning at the parking lot entrance at the Munroe Center at 1403 Massachusetts Ave in the color of blue. Dan Hisel seconded the motion.Roll Call Vote,Bob Adams—Yes,Ed Adelman—Yes,Anne Eccles-Yes,Robin Lovett—Yes,Dan Hisel—Yes. Motion carried. Documents used and presented Plans—JimDidlt Signs and Awnings dated 11.12.2020 Photographs Material List Narrative Application HDC-21-1 INFORMAL HEARING 1740 Massachusetts Ave,Jeff Kwass,View Point Sign, Stretchmed new business signs in Battle Green District. Mr. Kwass was informed that discussion for the proposed work at 1740 Massachusetts Ave is for informal discussion and no approvals would be approved or granted tonight. An application with the proper hearing protocols and regulations would be acted on and heard for a Certificate of Appropriateness at an upcoming meeting. Mr. Kwass was logged into the meeting to informally discuss the proposed signs at 1740 Massachusetts Ave, one blade sign for the corner, one store sign. He said the signs will match the size of the previous business. He is proposing dimensional letters and lighting. Mr. Kwass said the customer wants internal lighting. Members' questions,thoughts, suggestions Chair Eccles stated lighting is for business hours only. Ed Adelman stated he has been by the site. He questioned the blade sign. Not clear why it is necessary. Not many"viewers"for this sign. He is not comfortable with the size of the letters;he does not feel the different sizes of the letters work. Waltham side is larger than Mass Ave side. This location is not square to the intersection, so their view direction is not there. Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington March 4,2021 2 Chair Eccles agreed with Ed's comments regarding the size of the letters on the signs. She asked if the letters on the signs could all be the same size. Chair Eccles also suggested adding logos to balance the sign size difference. Dan Hisel stated the different fonts look like a mistake. The "circle" also should match on both signs and font sizes should match. He likes the breathing room via a logo. Bob Adams was in agreement with Dan and stated the blade sign is too much, and could see it being dropped altogether. Does not see the benefit of the blade sign, especially if lighting hardware will be added. He also stated he was not in agreement with the proposed internal lighting. Robin Lovett agreed with the comments of the other members. Giving the location, the blade sign is not needed. Mark Connor stated the entrance is too busy, there is a lot going on and it is a complicated entrance to the store sharing the location with the hair dresser and would drop the blade sign. Matching the fonts, like the other members is recommended. No Public to speak to project Recap • Consider matching the signs letter sizes and fonts. • Consider if the blade sign is necessary. • Take in into consideration the complicated entrance,how does the blade sign work with the entrance. • Consider gooseneck lighting,bring plans for lighting Mr. Kwass thanked the Commission for their comments, suggestions and thoughts. He will work on a proposal for next month's hearing. Will propose a couple of options for the members to choose from. Documents used and Presented Plans dated 2.16.21 Photographs of Building Material List ACTION ITEMS Chair Anne Eccles asked the Commission for edits to the minutes of January 7, 2021 stating Bob Adams edits have already been submitted. The members were satisfied with the minutes. Chair Eccles asked for a motion. Robin Lovett made a motion to approve the January 7,2021 meeting minutes. Ed Adelman seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote,Bob Adams—Yes,Ed Adelman—Yes,Anne Eccles- Yes,Robin Lovett—Yes,Paul O'Shaughnessy—Yes,Mark Connor—Yes,Dan Hisel—Yes. Motion carried, DISCUSSION ITEMS • Liaisons Reports Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington March 4,2021 3 Chair Eccles opened a discussion for members' thoughts and comments on the use of liaisons for projects that come before the HDC. Ms. Eccles stated in the past there were concerns of previous sitting HDC members that pleasing a liaison impacts and/or removes the Commission regarding the approval process. She will like to continue to have liaison reports on all meeting agendas,if members are in agreement. The members were in agreement that the use of liaisons for projects is a positive and beneficial practice. No one was concerned the approval process is compromised by a liaison. Chair Eccles cited the example of 21 Waltham Street's doorway entry as a successful liaison relationship with Mark Connor working with contractor on the entry and reporting back the Commission. Bob Adams sited the review of the drawings for the Follen Church resulted in the application being withdrawn,resulting in the plans being reworked for a productive hearing for the HDC. Bob also said the offline discussions on the large project at 812 Massachusetts resulted in more productive Commission meetings. Bob Adams told the members the work he and Dan Hisel have taken on with the proposed window project at 3 Bedford Street has resulted in the communication of alternative contractors in order to have the windows restored vs replaced. He said having the open dialog has removed the project in a satisfying direction for a property in the district. There is hope a proposed project will come to the Commission that the Commission will be able to approve. Dan Hisel said the liaison work has also provided him with education as a Commission member. He stated while working with Bob Adams he has learned a lot. He also said working on 3 Bedford, as a liaison he has learned the whys, the budget and other elements regarding the project. He like Bob,believes a satisfactory proposal will come to the HDC. Paul O'Shaughnessy shared an experience example of how a property owner may not receive all the options when planning a project. He had an example of a contractor directing a property owner to remove and replace cedar siding and gutters for aluminum. The liaison suggested a different option than replacing the house with aluminum, and although the cost is not a factor in HDC approvals,the liaison guidance in this case was a construction cost savings. A liaison can quite often guide a property owner to a simple solution. Mr. O'Shaughnessy is really much in support of liaisons. Mark Connor said he mainly believes liaisons are an asset, as in his case with 21 Waltham Street. But has a concern when it comes to public projects requiring HDC approval. The HDC must be careful not to appear as an advisor to the project. He does not want the public to view incorrectly the purpose or function of a HDC liaison. The HDC cannot appear or get to the point where we are advocating for a solution. • Hosmer House—Harrington Road Chair Anne Eccles stated she sent the members the letter regarding the RFP responses regarding the Hosmer. She confirmed the HDC is not advocating on position on the project. She is aware a new RFP is being drafted. She does not have any other information. Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington March 4,2021 4 Ed Adelman was on the working group for the Hosmer House. He will keep the Commission informed on any updates he becomes aware of. Public Comments Dawn McKenna was present to speak to the agenda item of the Hosmer House. Ms. McKenna noted frustration because the neighborhood was not be being included in working group/RFP regarding the Hosmer House. She did acknowledge the working group's hard work. She stated she was involved in another house relocation, year's back that was successful. The house is still being used as a residence and the outcome came from an unexpected option. The RFP that went out restricted the property to remaining in the Battle Green District. Ms. McKenna, she understands that there is a new RFP coming from the Select Board. She thinks more options need to be explored. Ed Adelman stated that there were two working groups. He noted that the meetings he participated in were all public meetings and the members of the neighborhood were welcome to speak at these meetings. Ms. McKenna stated there was no direct contact with the abutters and no stakeholders were represented on the working group. Ms. McKenna is hoping for a win-win solution for Church and Battle Green District. Mark Connor asked for clarification on the HDC standing, asking to confirm that the HDC is not focused on a final site. Chair Eccles stated Ed Adelman's letter stated three options as sites but the HDC is not a decision maker on the Hosmer House Marilyn Fenollosa was logged into the meeting and asked to share screen the RFP for the Hosmer House. The share screen was unsuccessful. But she continued verbally her statement that she wanted to put to rest that the Hosmer House needs to be held in the district. Chair Eccles said she appreciates the communication about the building needing to be held in the district. There has been much discussion in Town regarding where the building can be moved to. Ms.Fenollosa will email the RFP to the Chair who will forward to the members. Ms. Fenollosa did continue for the record that on page 4 of the RFP there is a ranking system a contractor submits indicating the consideration of the building relocation. The breakdown is as follows: 1. Very advantageous to stay in district. 2. Move to another district. 3. Stay in Lexington, 4. Move out of Lexington. Chair Anne Eccles stated the HDC is not the decision maker on the Hosmer House. Adjournment Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington March 4,2021 5 Ed Adelman made a motion to adjourn at 6:32pm. Paul O'Shaughnessy seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote,Bob Adams—Yes,Ed Adelman—Yes,Anne Eccles—Yes,Robin Lovett—Yes,Paul O'Shaughnessy—Yes,Mark Conner—Yes,Dan Hisel-Yes. Motion carried. Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington March 4,2021 6 Town Of L"Ingto" Request for Proposals('"RFP")Ow the Sale,Moving and RvIocation of the 110smer Howse Sezded written proposals will be mceived by the Town o,f'Lexin,gton(the"Fimn I)through its, TOvv-n MaMiger at rown HaR, 1625M-1NSachusdtsAve ntw,, Lexington,IVIA 02420 unifl 101-100 AM OnThursday,August 113 2020,at which time theyw ill l pubbely(,)pened, top,urcNasc, nrove and reRocate Ric following,pv,sonal property(the"Property"): Rosner House Building itt 1557 Nlaisachusetts,Avinue AI propos,.As nitw he scaledanxl wnspicuously marked-1-fosnier flousic Ptachaw and RekwationProlyisar cotnpue instruct ions and reqtikennents for,this RFP nuty be oh.tained via knitail by corv;icfing Elizabeth Manchfi, Purchasing Director at errmiick i� .1 !jqj!j lgqy- The ............ .!1. .�,.,jtpL 'town shall consider the qualifications 01'.11H JITOposals, prior to awarding a bid, Said bid award shall be subject to the provisions,ofMUL,Ch, 30B. In order to satisfy"the public bid opening,requirement,the Town mviR conduct au%rirlual petro,Posal opening via 7;u,ioni nikvfings, The virtual opening will mcor on[lie said doe date"and Onle, If you wish tojoin the Zooin meefing,please email Elizabeth Mancini dirwfly prior to Tlwrsday, August 13,'2020, nir j'L�r'j',%%,Tj()f I X e right do,rqject any or all proposak,to waivi� nor 1"he X,jrjg�(J�j res,erves th infiornialitiesand tea rmke theaward as riaa)y he detennined hi the Town's best iroerest, The Town rnakes no representations or warranties,express or uniflied,as to tire accuracy,andJor conipleteness ofthe infornrat ion provided,in this RPP, Elizatx1hMancirti Porclutsing Director Historic Districts Commission Minutes Town of Lexington March 4,2021 7