Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-27 West Street Historic District Commission Minutes0� Or Nfg0 r Town of Reading Meeting Minutes CEIVED };�o �OWHCIMASS. ,,. E pDIN G. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: A 13 West Street Historic District 1011) SEP _S Date: 2014 -08 -27 Time: 07:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Priscilla Poehler, Virginia Adams, Ilene Bornstein Members - Not Present: Alyssa Scarparotti Others Present: Kathy Greenfield Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Virginia Blodgett Topics of Discussion: Meeting called to order at 7:02PM Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett reviewed the events beginning with the last meeting. • At the last meeting the WSHDC voted 3 -0 -2 to submit the Preliminary Study Report to MHC and CPDC. • Mr. Blodgett took the report to Town Hall on Thursday, August 14, so that it could submitted. Town Manager, Bob LeLacheur said that it could not be sent as they were still waiting for a decision from Town Counsel. • Mr. LeLacheur emailed Mr. Blodgett on Sunday AM, August 24, saying that Town Counsel ruled that "a filing by the W HD with the state to begin the process towards a new or larger Historic District is unlikely to be ruled discriminatory towards the buyer of the Summer Ave property, even while we might well face litigation over the matter." • On Monday, Aug. 25, Mr. Blodgett went to Town Hall. The report was sent electronically to MHC and was date stamped at the Town Clerk's office for CPDC. • Later on Monday, the WSHDC received an email with attached letter from Chris Skelly, at MHC, stating that the report had been received and was deemed "Complete" and therefore the required Public Hearing could be held at least 60 days from this date. • MHC's next meeting is Sept. 15 and it is hoped that they will review the report at that time. They can make comments and /or recommendations. Ms. Adams stated that it was important to remember that the WSHDC's focus is on creating the SALHD (Summer Ave Local Historic District). And that the Commission needs to do an educational program for the property owners. Page i 1 Mr. Blodgett stated that the Commission is required to hold a formal Public Hearing. Ms. Greenfield said that she feels strongly that all the steps in the process need to be completely transparent. She also said that the 01867 group is willing to help in any way they can. They are already working on information to educate Town Meeting members and will poll the members before the November Town Meeting to get a sense of what the vote will be. They are also willing to host information meetings. 01867 has created a brochure that they will be giving out from their booth at the Street Faire on Sept. 7. And that they are holding a public meeting at the Senior Center on Sept. 8. Mr. Blodgett commented that it is important for the WSHDC to know what is taking place. He also stated that the Commission needs to send a notice to the property owners to let them know about the process, inform them of upcoming opportunities ask questions, and to give them the date of the Public Hearing. A formal notice of the meeting will also be sent from Town Hall. He felt that there was no need to have another survey done. Ms. Greenfield said any communication should stress the benefits of a Local Historic District and not the potential hardships. Ms. Poehler said that it would be important for those attending the meetings to have something to take home which would include information on how to contact the Commission with further questions. There was discussion about who writes the warrant article for the Nov. Town Meeting. Mr. Blodgett said that he would speak to Jean Delios about that. The warrant closes on September 23. Motion made by Ms. Adams to check to see if there is a placeholder for a warrant article, by the WSHDC for the Special Town Meeting on Sept. 29 with regard to a SALHD, and if so remove it. Ms. Poehler Seconded. Vote 4-0 -0. Ms. Adams suggested October 27 for the Public Hearing, and October 9 for the legal notice of the Public Hearing to be mailed to property owners. There was discussion about the informational letter /flyer to property owners: • Ms. Greenfield will create a draft and email it to Mr. Blodgett who will send it out to the Commission • It will include an information about the submittal of the Preliminary Study Report and how the process will proceed • It will include notice of an informal SALHD Q & A meeting • It will also include the date of the Public Hearing • She will have it to Mr. Blodgett by Sept. 2 It was noted that the Bylaw should be available at the Q & A meeting The Commission will meet on Sept. 4 to discuss the letter so that it can be mailed to property owners. Mr. Blodgett will send out an email to the Commission summarizing all the dates of upcoming meetings. Approve Minutes The Commission discussed the minutes of August 7, 2014. Several changes were made. Motion made by Ms. Bornstein to accept the minutes as amended. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Motion made by Ms. Bornstein to approve the minutes of June 9, 2014. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Page I > Motion made by Ms. Bornstein to approve the minutes of August 13, 2014. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Motion made by Ms. Poehler to adjourn at 8:45. Mr. Blodgett seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Page 1 3