The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2014-07-24 Historical Commission MinutesW, '`�,i .oar^° Town of Reading Meeting Minutes HECEIVEO (DWN CLERK FADING. MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission July 24, 2014 1014 SEP -3 P 11' lti Date: 2014 -07 -24 Time: 7:30 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Hearing re: 186 Summer Ave. Application to Demolish Attendees: Members - Present: Chair: Sharlene Reynolds Santo (SRS) Treasurer: Secretary: Carl Mittnight (CM) via remote access Robyn Parker (RP) Virginia Adams (VA) Sally Hilgendorff (SH) Members - Not Present: Nancy Kohl (NK) Others Present: Ron Weston (RW) - RHC applicant Jonathan Barnes (JB) - RHC applicant See attached sign -in sheet Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Carl Mittnight with Sally Hilgendorff Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order July 24, 2014 at 7.07pm (SRS) 2. Read Public Notice, see attached (VA) 3. Announce Purpose of the Hearing (SRS) 4. Introduce RHC Members and Owner/ Applicant (SRS) RHC: Chair: Sharlene Reynolds Santo Secretary: Carl Midnight via remote access Robyn Parker Virginia Adams Sally Hilgendorff Owner) Applicant: Debra Shontz- Stackpole, owner Dr. Robert Littleton, representative of the owner John Fernandes, attorney for Criterion Marc Maxwell, architect for Criterion Jack Sullivan, engineer for Criterion 5. Owner/ Applicant Presentation (Robert Littleton) Robert presented what Criterion does and how Criterion plans to use the property, saying Criterion was willing to work with the RHC and the community. Designs were in the early stages but no renderings were presented. Page 1 1 Hearin - continued 6. Overview of Historical/ Architectural Significance (VA) Architectural This house and barn is of high -style Italianate design built in 1853. It carries many features of the Italianate style with its elongated windows on the first Boor and all windows are emphasized by shouldered architraves that are appropriately defined with contrasting paint color. The classic veranda exhibits pierced gothic columns and the cupola carries the same gothic influence. A prominent exterior chimney is decorated with terra cotta rosettes. Paired brackets at the eaves and gables are the hallmark of the Ilalianate style. The side pergola is a latter addition as is the connecting unit to a modest two story structure. The barn emulates the high -style house with its own distinctive features. The center entrance is embellished with a central gable pavilion along with paired doors that have the same feature of shouldered architrave as the house. A pair of semicircular windows complete the barns distinctive architecture. Historical Several prominent families have lived under the slate roof of 186 Summer Avenue. It was built for Robert Kemp after he bought land from his business partner, John Mansfield. Mansfield built the house next door at #176 at about the same time. The two men commuted to Boston operating a boot and shoe business and resided in Reading as neighbors. Robert Kemp formed an amateur touring musical group named "Father Kemps' Old Folks" that took many Reading residents far from their hometown. The troupe went to England in 1861. Kemp sold the house in 1868, moving back to Boston but returned to Reading and built a new home at #199, 10 years later. William Hawes was the next owner. He like Kemp was a Boston business -man who started a dollar store which was the second one in the country. [Unlikely the fore- runner to present day Dollar Stores!] [Roberts] By 1910, the property was in the hands of Dr.'s Herbert and Emily Howard. He was the director and supervisor of Massachusetts General Hospital. When he died, his widow offered the house to their son, Charles Howard, and she continued to live In the house with him and his wife, Katherine. Charles Howard s life was spent in public service. He was a State Senator, Treasurer of Middlesex County and on several commissions. Locally, he served on the Board of Selectmen, Town Moderator and Town Counsel. His wife, Katherine Graham Howard wrote a book entitled: "With my Shoes OW recounting her experiences as secretary of the 1952 Republican National Convention along with her role as Deputy Commissioner General to the Brussels International Exposition In 1958. The walls at 186 Summer Ave, have seen a diversity of owners through the years and could tell us more if only they could talk! 7. Public Addresses the Chair One letter by US Mail was submitted against demolition: P. Smith One email was submitted with a petition signed by 70 people against demolition. Twenty (20) additional smalls were submitted against demolition: S. &R.Adams, D.Boschetti, C.Camiody, R.Connors, R. &K.Corwin, B.Floyd- Hennebeny, K.Gately- Hertick, M.Grey, K.Greenfield, K.Guyott, R.Hitch, B.Keating, D.Kruh, K.Malone, M.Nelson, D.O'Connor, M.E.O'Neill, K.Proctor, D. &S.Restuccia, R. &S.Salter Twenty-three (23) attendees addressed the Chair against demolition: B.Qulnn, B.Connors(2X), D.O'Connor, K.Amold, C.Morello, J.Freitas, J.Weigle, J.Kaberle, S.McLaughlin, P.Carr, C.Sebor, B.Melley, A.Godwin, L.Smith, D.Godwin, P.Flynn, J.Jef rey, K.Greenfield, D.Carr, J.Lamb, M.O'Neill, R.Weston, J.Bames Three (3) addressed the Chair for demolition: J.Dougherty, K.Goodwin, D.Shontz- Stackpole (owner) Po9e 1 2 S. RHC Questions/ Comments (SRS) 9. Closing discussion: RHC and Owner /Applicant (SRS) 10. RHC Votes Close the Hearing 1. SRS moved that the presented information is Insufficient to make a final determination on the requested demolition of the structure at 186 Summer Ave and that the Public Hearing be continued. 2. RP seconded the motion. 3. After discussion by the RHC, SRS rescinded the motion. 4. RP rescinded the second. 5. SRS then moved that the presented information is sufficient to make a final determination on the requested demolition of the structure at 186 Summer Ave and that the Public Hearing be closed. 6. RP seconded the motion. 7. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote: SRS, CM, RP and SH voting in the affirmative to close the hearing. Impose the Delay 1. SRS moved that the loss of the structure at 186 Summer Ave would be detrimental to the Town under the purposes of the Demolition Delay Bylaw (7.2.1) and that a Demolition Delay of up to six (6) months be imposed beginning this date July 24, 2014. 2. RP seconded the motion. 3. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote: SRS, CM, RP, and SH voting in the affirmative to impose the demolition delay. Adjourn the Headna 1. SRS moved that the Hearing be adjourned. 2. RP seconded the motion. 3. The motion passes with members: SRS, RP, and SH voting in the affirmative to adjourn the Hearing. Page 1 3 LEGAL NOTICE 41-, This is to serve as notice that the Reading Historical Commission, under the authority and requirements, of Section 7.2, Historic Demolition Delay, of the General Bylaws for the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, shall hold a public hearing on the demolition of the struc- ture Included on the List of Historic Structure as defined In Section 7.2.3, located at 188 Summer Avenue, submh- led by applicant Debra ShomaSMckpole. The public hearing will be hold on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 7:00 PM, in the Conference Room M Reading Town Hell, 16 Lowell Street. Please direct public inquiry to Jessie Wilson, Community Development Administrator In the Community Development .1 ice. Sharlene Reynolds Santo, Chairperson Reading Historical Commission 7 /10 Date: Property: Owner: Reading Historical Commission (RH() Demolition Delay Bylaw Public Hearing Sign -in Sheet lulu 24. 2014 186 Summer Ave Debra A. Stackpole Name: Address: I �� tli � , ' ld u� Lt ��CG�VU� • i Adopted date: 1/28/2014 V i � N. Reading Historical Commission (RHC) Demolition Delay Bylaw Public Hearing Sign -in Sheet Date: July 24, 2014 Property: 186 Summer Ave Owner: Debra A. Stackpole Name: Address: l' Qo, l).iE" t I Adopted date: 1/28/2014 LW a)E � I � '� ) c 1�,., eL •.� �r1 -7r �1 J l T I i f4 w,( fl�./ y(co:�c uc. l� v I-S -sue "yl,'9ri 1-.1-6 //� Jl'141,+e- Ae .121. / '/,�/,a , � �.;/ i