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Home My WebLink About2014-09-17 West Street Historic District Commission Minuteso� orgfga Town of Reading o• Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK - .;DING. MASS. Board - committee - commission - Council: West Street Historic District HIII OCT -1 A 0`51 Date: 2014 -09 -17 Time: 07:00 PM Building: Pleasant Street Senior Center Location: Great Room Address: 49 Pleasant Street Purpose: Question & Answer Session Attendees: Members - Present: Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Priscilla Poehler, Virginia Adams, Ilene Bornstein, Alyssa Scaparotti Members - Not Present: Others Present: Virginia Blodgett Frank Coccoluto, 195 Summer Avenue Kelly Corwin, 199 Summer Avenue Anne Goodwin, 189 Summer Avenue Melizza Mendez, 149 Summer Avenue Cynda Rohmer, 176 Summer Avenue Bob Drake, 176 Summer Avenue Kathy Greenfield, 192 Woburn Street David Greenfield, 192 Woburn Street Jerry Lamb, 194 Summer Avenue Joe Lupi, 167 Summer Avenue Gardner Bradlee, 198 Summer Avenue Robert Corwin, 199 Summer Avenue Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. He stated the intent of this meeting was to inform the property owners of the procedure to establish a local historic district per Town Bylaw 7.3 Local Historic District. There will be a slide show and then after the West Street Historic District Commission will take questions. The property owners were encouraged to write down their questions pertaining to a specific slide and the Commission would be glad to answer. If there were any questions that need further research the Commission would get back to them. There would be no discussion regarding a specific property. Mr. Blodgett presented the PowerPoint: • Common questions • What is a Local Historic District • What are the Benefits • Who Oversees the District • How is the District Created Page 1 1 • How is a LHD different from the National Register or Reading's Inventory • The Procedure for the SALHD • Certificate of Non Applicability • Exclusions from the Review • Exclusions from the Review (continued) • Certificate of Appropriateness • Disapproval • Summary • What's Next Mr. Blodgett stated the following: • Commission from the West Street Historic District has accepted the responsibility to be the working group to establish the Local Historic District. • The WSHDC deals with the character of the building, and is not related to the Town Department rules. • There is already a historic district in Town —West Street • The property owners will still need to go to the Town's different departments, if applicable - Building, Conservation, Planning, etc. for their project. • He would like the owners to keep in mind the Commission will be looking for associate members • All exterior work that is visible from the public way needs to be reviewed by the Commission • The Commission has compassion about projects in the backyard • The Commission is working on other ways to issue Certificate of Non Applicability, to make the turnaround quicker • Buildings that are less than seventy (70) years old are exempt from review of Alterations and additions, unless the Alterations affect more than twenty -five (25 %) percent of any faSade visible from a Public Way or unless any addition visible from a Public Way increase such Buildings by more than twenty -five (25 %) percent. • The property owners and the contractor should both plan to be at meetings • Property owners have the option to appeal if the Commission Issues a denial • Think of the procedure as just "one" step to maintain the beauty of the neighborhood • Went over what has been achieved and what is left to establish a Local Historic District • The preliminary report is available to read tonight or at the Community Services desk • The State's current proposal on how to establish a Local Historic District is also available to review The following questions were asked and answered: • Ms. Corwin asked what should be expected at the public forum. There should be more input and comments —the notice will be sent to abutters 300' from this proposed District. • Ms. Mendez questioned if a panel from her fence got damaged could she replace it without going to the Commission? What is the turn - around time; would she have to wait the 2 weeks to replace the panel? No, the Commission would still need to be notified. However, a temporary fix would be okay until the Commission can review it. This could be considered routine maintenance and it could be Certificate of Non Applicability. The process of these Certificates is being looked at, would like to be able to issue them in a much shorter time. Page 1 2 Ms. Adams stated there are 67 properties in the West Street District. She stated the majority of project applications received were approved. Only 2 total were denied in 2012 and 2013. Mr. Blodgett agreed and commented there is not a high volume of applications. • Ms. Mendez asked about roofing — color or material? It is the material not color • A property owner questioned if landscaping would need approval? No, landscaping is an exclusion /exemption. • A property owner asked if a property was angled from the street and the project was in the backyard would a review be needed? The Commission needs to make the decision not the owner. Mr. Blodgett told of a homeowner on West Street who wanted to install an air conditioner unit and how the Commission worked with them. • Owner from 195 Summer Avenue questioned if he wanted to build a free standing structure in the front yard would he need to come to the Commission even though not attached to the house? Yes, and if disapproved there is an appeal process. The Building Department will not issue a permit without the approval of West Street Historic District Commission. • Mr. Lupi asked if it included all properties. It includes 26 properties. The houses are pretty much established on Summer Avenue. If denied you can appeal. • Ms. Mendez asked if the Summer Avenue Local Historic District is successful, could the Commission deny the 40 parking spaces that are being proposed in the District. The Commission would need to review, the driveway could be on the list of exemptions. • Mr. Lamb questioned about the Aztec material used on his house and if it would still be allowed? That type of material is not encouraged. Ms. Adams stated each case of siding is reviewed individually. • Ms. Mendez questioned if there would be a turn -over in the Commission? It was explained, the term is 3 years. As long as the member wants to continue they can. Mr. Blodgett explained the Attorney General will need to approve the proposal. Ms. Adams agreed and said the Attorney General reviews all bylaws that are passed in the Town. Ms. Bornstein stated creating the District is an important move. This is a good way to maintain the standards of your street -to keep the beauty. She told the owners to encourage the Town Meeting members to approve the district. Mr. Blodgett reiterated this is just one step to maintain the streets beauty. He said no matter where you live, there could be a process - for example, Conservation Commission. Mr. Blodgett encouraged the owners to stay and read the preliminary report and ask additional questions if needed. It was noted, there is an electronic version of the report but it is in pieces. The report is available at the Town Hall. Ms. Goodwin commented that the procedure is less restricted than what the general public is aware of. It is a good choice for the neighborhood; it is a positive step. The property owners thanked the Commission for jumping on the project. Ms. Adams stated the 01867 Preservation Group made it possible and thanked them for all their work. The Commission members can be reached by email or call. The Commission discussed the Public Hearing on October 27, 2014 for SALHD. The following is needed: newspaper legal notice and letters to property owners. Ms. Adams might have a possible legal notice. Page 13 Motion made by Ms. Bornstein to adjourn at 9:34 p.m. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote as 5 -0-0. Page 1 4