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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-17-HC-minMeeting Minutes Lexington Historical Commission November 17, 2011 Commission Members Present: David Kelland, Chair, Marilyn Fenollosa, Frank Kern, Wendall Kalsow, Sally Zimmerman The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., Ellen Stone Room, Cary Memorial Building Formal Hearings: 77 Pi itlor Awn Present: Joseph Walsh (attorney representing applicant), abutters: Mr. Hans Huber & Mrs. Veronika Huber, 21 Butler Ave. Documents received: 1. Letter from Barbara McNamara and Dianne Higgins, brokers of The Higgins Group to Joseph Hourihan dated 11/14/2011. 2. Structural Inspection Report of 22 Butler Ave. by Design By SAMI dated 11/14/2011. Chairman Kelland reminded those present that the procedure involves that applicant speaking first, followed by abutters and finally commission members. Mr. Walsh appealed to the Commission to change the status of the house initially found to be preferably preserved (See LHC minutes 10/20/11) by allowing the demolition. Mr. Walsh presented documents 1 and 2 to Commission members. A motion was made and seconded to accept documents 1 and 2 as sufficient to substantiate the claim by the applicant that, due the physical condition of 22 Butler Ave., a buyer willing to preserve the house is not likely to be found and to recommend to the building commissioner that the demolition be allowed. The motion was passed with four in favor and one abstention. 7r, Ri itlor Awn Present: Stephen Stratford, realtor, Hammond Residential Real Estate, representing builder Jay Berglund (applicant), abutters: John H. Dooley 77 Baker Ave., Mr. Hans Huber & Mrs. Veronika Huber 21 Butler Ave. Documents received: 1. Multiple listing sheet detailing marketing information about the residence. 2. Photographs and accompanying letter from Ralph D. Kilfoyle, AIA, RDK Architects to Historical Commission dated 10/14/11. Mr. Stratford apologized for Mr. Berglund who was unable to attend and presented the Commission with documents 1 and 2. He mentioned the mold growing in the house. The abutters were invited to comment. Mr. Dooley stated that he agreed that the house should be demolished. Mr and Mrs. Huber agreed that it should be demolished. Ms. Fenollosa commented that a picture of the house, while not individually listed in the inventory, is shown as being an early example of the kinds of homes constructed in the liberty heights section of Lexington and is part of the inventory by virtue of its being part of an architecturally cohesive area designated as such on an MHC area form. Ms. Zimmerman asked how long the house has been vacant. Mr. Stratford replied about one year. Mr. Kalsow expressed his concern that lack of care was becoming a justification for allowing demolitions. He also mentioned that the RDK report was vague and doesn't mention the qualifications of this architect to assess the historical or cultural significance of 26 Butler Ave. Ms. Zimmerman added that 26 Butler is an example of affordable housing and that its value as such depends more on structural integrity rather than historical significance. The RDK report would have better served the applicant by addressing structural flaws rather than trying to convince the Commission of its doubtful historical significance. Mr. Kern asked how long the applicant has tried to sell the house. Mr. Stratford replied about one and a half months. The only offer has come from a builder [Mr. Berglund]. Mr. Kelland expressed his view that this house has low income housing potential and it is a concern. Mr. Kalsow summarized briefly for Mr. Stratford what the applicant needs to demonstrate before the Commission will recommend to the Building Commissioner that any house could be demolished. A motion was made and seconded to find the house at 26 Butler Ave. preferably preserved. The motion passed with all in favor. Mr. Kelland stated that the applicant does not have to wait a year to come before the commission to present extenuating circumstances as to why the house should be allowed to be demolished. 3 Gerard Terrace — Present: Mr. Thomas Alspah (applicant), no abutters present. Mr. Alspah stated that he prefers 3 Gerard Terrace not be a tear down. He's been actively trying to sell the property for two and a half years by himself. The house is not well designed for a family and that he has spent about $50,000 in improvements and maintenance for the premises over the last several years. (chimney rebuild, new high efficiency boiler, roof replacement). He added that the roof still leaks despite the complete roof replacement and that there is mold present behind the fireplace. A builder now has made an offer. Ms. Fenollosa asked who the builder of the house was. Mr. Alspah responded that he did not know and that he had an addition put on in 1988 for a relative but the person died. Ms. Fenollosa stated that the house is on the priority list to be inventoried. It is currently pending review and research by commission members to determine its historical or architectural provenance and whether it should be included in the inventory. Mr. Alspah stated that it has been in that status for several years and it has been that long since he petitioned to have his house taken off the pending status. Ms. Zimmerman added that 3 Gerard Terrace is a classic bungalow and that, while she might not vote at this time to find it historically significant, does not mean that it should not be preferably preserved. Mr. Kern mentioned that it's been a long time on the priority list and lack of due diligence on the part of the commission is not a good reason to keep Mr. Alspah from doing what he wishes with the property. A motion was made a seconded that the demolition should be allowed due to a demonstrated bona -fide effort on the part of the owner to find someone willing to preserve the property with all in favor. Other Business: Annual joint meeting with Historical Commission and Historic Districts Commission Present: Historical Commission Members: David Kelland, Marilyn Fenollosa, Wendall Kalsow, Frank Kern, Sally Zimmerman. Historic District Commission members: Joe Welch, Chair, Scott Kyle, Paul Rossi, Lynn Hopkins, Pat Goddard (Facilities Director). Sally Zimmerman, Wendall Kalsow and Frank Kern were invited to comment on the status of the CPA funded projects involving three historic town owned properties. Stone Building (Sally Zimmerman) — Exterior envelope work is essentially complete with some minor interior demolition. Mechanical /electrical systems are in working order. The next step involves finding a use for the building possibly involving a study funded through the CPA. Members discussed the unsuccessful attempt last year to find a use by inviting proposals from the community. This was sponsored by the Cary Library board of trustees and was inconclusive. Mr. Rossi commented that proposals all had different visions for the structure. Sally Zimmerman agreed to draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen jointly from the Historical Commission and Historic Districts Commission requesting action toward finding an appropriate use for the building. Hosmer (White) House — (Frank Kern) — The Historic Structures Report was completed last year by designer Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc. Since then nothing has been done to stabilize the building. Pat Goddard mentioned that the CPC is requesting funds to demolish all but the main house (scenario #5) p. ix of HSR executive summary. The idea is to use the house as a jumping off point for the Liberty Ride as well as for some use by the Lexington Farmer's Market and that $680,000 ($502,000 CPA) is proposed to be spent on scenario #5 including a reconstruction of the porch like the one depicted in old photographs. Ms. Fenollosa mentioned that there will be a lot of resistance on the part of town meeting to spend any funding on the White House. Mr. Welch expressed concern about enforcement over privately held residences should the town be allowed to demolish structures within the Historic District. A motion was made and seconded to support the use of CPA funds for this project. The vote was 7 in favor with one opposed. Cary Memorial Hall — Wendall Kalsow - Mills Whitaker Architects LLC is the architect on this project. Mr. Kalsow expressed his satisfaction with the report. He's recommending a single phase approach as a more cost effective and less challenging way of dealing with the needs of the building. A motion was made and seconded to support the use of CPA funds for this project. The vote was 9 -0 in favor. Fire Station — the constraints of keeping the existing fire station in lieu of a new facility were discussed and the consensus was that a new facility is the path the town will take. The existing facility is too small with no room for structural additions. Estabrook School — Pat Goddard offered some brief background on the PCB situation and a planned start of demolition in July of 2014. Sally Zimmerman mentioned the need for documentation of the school's historical provenance in light of it being planned for demolition and the urgency of starting this process now. She mentioned a discussion she had with Donna Denisco regarding this since Estabrook is one of the (if not the) first schools in the country designed around the team teaching approach. Also mentioned was the possible preservation of the mosaic at the school and an estimated $500,000 cost. Leary Farm — concern about the security of the house was discussed and the proper channels to effect this given that it is not a publicly used building. Pat Goddard mentioned that he is not involved and suggested the Town Manager or Board of Selectmen. David Kelland agreed to correspond with Gary Rhodes or Carl Valente about securing the property. Ms. Fenollosa highlighted the remaining projects proposed by the CPC for Town Meeting in the spring. A motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting minutes from the October meeting with all in favor. 9:40 p.m. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.