2006-03-23 Historical Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

Attending: Virginia Adams - Chairman Mark Cardono - Secretary Kathy Greenfield Call to order 7:38 PM Reading Historical Commission Minutes March 23, 2006 Karen Herrick Susan Patterson Clay Jones Sharlene Reynolds Santo Roberta Sullivan Peter Zanni 420 Franklin Street: Members introduce themselves. Virginia reviewed last Friday's meeting with Fran Fink. Peter Zanni has not signed a P&S with the owners. Everything is in Shirley Day's and Wendei# N~Isan's arx has drawn a plan and intends to save the house. They are going forward with the Notice of Intent for the Conservation Commission. At this time the owners are working on all of the permits and they are trying to get everything together for June 1, 2006, which is the deadline for the meeting on June 15, 2006. Clay explained that The Commission is working with them and the Conservation Commission, and will make a strong case to present to the Conservation Commission. Peter said that they are looking for a 1 to 1 replication area, rather that the standard 2 to 1 for the wetland mitigation on the variance and they are looking for a reduction of the setback requirements. There was discussion of saving the property. Peter Zanni has a financial interest in the property. The Conservation Commission has given Shirley Day permission to cut the wetland area 2 times per year. Bill Bergeron of Hayes Engineering will make presentation to the Conservation Commission. Roberta brought up that he will probably have to go in front of the Conservation Commission to demolish the barn because it is in the buffer zone. Peter feels that his plan is very conservative. Virginia said that a 4 out of 7 vote from the Conservation Commission is required to approve the variance. Virginia added that the house should be marketed as an antique. Peter said he plans on marketing it that way. Clay offered that The Commission can help. There are a couple of parties interested in the house. The lot for the house will be between 23,000 ft2 and 24,000 ft2. Peter said that the filing will mostly likely be done by June15, 2006 for the June 28, 2006 Conservation Commission meeting. Clay wants to work out a plan and possibly bring in Mass Historic. Virginia feels that The Commission should not bring in Mass Historic. Clay suggested nominating the house for the Most Endangered Property. Clay said that if the new house is very desirable, then the old house becomes more desirable, and it retains or increases its value. Susan suggested putting together a list of criteria and how the newest plan satisfies it or has the least impact on it. By next Thursday, June 1, 2006, The Commission will know if the application will go before the Conservation Commission's June 14, 2006 meeting or by June 15, 2006 for the June 28, 2006 meeting. Clay also suggested looking up precedents of the Conservation Commission. Maybe The Commission should attempt to get some pro bono work, from Brad Latham, for researching precedents. Chris Reilly should also be working with The Commission on researching precedents. Virginia handed out an article titled "Advocacy Tools & Strategies" from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Roberta would like to respond to Mass Historic's offer to help. Virginia and Roberta drafted a letter which was passed out for review. Virginia read the letter. It would go out to Mass Historic, PreservatiON MA, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Roberta asked if the letter is acceptable to send. The Commission reviewed the letter and made some corrections. Karen will work on the nomination Application for The Most Endangered Property, which needs to be submitted by July 28, 2006. Treasurer's Report: The fiscal year ends June 30, 2006. The Commission bought a scanner and a printer for the archives. 75 Pleasant Street: A letter, dated May 16, 2006, was received from the RHA (Reading Housing Authority) requesting The Commission not impose a demolition delay. Virginia wrote a draft letter to respond to the RHA request. The Commission reviewed the response, changes were made, and the letter will be sent. Common Signage: The Commission needs to set up a meeting with Peter Hechenbleikner to go over the signs. The plan is to have the meeting June 9, 2006 sometime around 9:00 AM. Miscellaneous: Friends and family day Sharlene is going to meet with the Veterans Memorial Wall Committee Minutes: Review at next meeting. Adjourned 10:08 PM RHC Minutes Rhc20060523.doc Page 1 of 1