HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-20 Historical Commission Minutesor [I
Town of Reading
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Meeting Minutes TOWN CL.LRK
READING. MASS.
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 1115 oj 'b Q 11: 1
Historical Commission August 20, 2015
Date: 2015 -08 -20 Time: 7:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Town Hall Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Regularly scheduled meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Sally Hilgendorff (SH), Virginia Adams (VA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB),
Sharlene Reynolds Santo (SRS), Jack Williams (JW)
Members - Not Present:
Carl Mittnight, Ron Weston
Others Present:
ZBA Members and David P Johnson (DPJ) owner 116 Lowell St
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sharlene Reynolds Santo
Topics of Discussion:
Subiect Discussion Action ResA•
Items
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Subiec
Discussion
Action
116 Lowell
The RHC met with ZBA to discuss in the "General
St.
Business" portion of ZBA's agenda, a possible future
application for a variance at 116 Lowell St. This
conversation was initiated as part of an effort currently
under discussion between DJ and RHC to save the historic
house rather than demolish it. DJ spoke about the
situation, then VA added details with pictures and maps.
Finally, JB presented research and possible arguments,
with the hopes of getting an opinion from ZBA members as
to whether it may be is worth pursuing this option to save
this historic building. The primary questions for ZBA
consideration were 1) whether the historic home might be
considered eligible for conversion to two - family, and 2) if
so, whether the ZBA might approve a variance allowing a
new two - family condominium on a second buildable lot on
the site.
Among other things, ZBA saw the 1946 plot plan,
which, as drawn, did not contain the 'gel" constituting the
8th room in the house. ZBA members opined that this plot
plan strongly suggested that the house did not contain the
requisite in 1942 in order to be eligible for conversion to
two - family. These members further stated that if the
Building Inspector did not believe there were 8 rooms they
may not either. ZBA suggested that RHC continue to find
proof that there was indeed 8 rooms; maybe building
materials could hold a clue. ZBA also suggested that RHC
meet with DTR for their opinion. VA mentioned that
although the RHC had not met with the DRT as a group
there have been separate meeting with all entities
including Glen Redmond, Jessie Wilson; and an early
architectural consultant. ZBA also questioned whether in
this case they could properly approve a variance allowing
the new two - family condominium on -site (as they did with
172 Washington St), where unlike 172 Washington St.,
this site is intended to be divided into two buildable lots
with the original historic house on one lot and the new
two - family condo on the other lot. ZBA stressed that this
was just an informational meeting that this was not a
hearing where evidence was formally presented and
decisions made. DJ and RHC thanked the ZBA for its time
and consideration.
Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Next Meeting
August 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm
All
Copies of referenced correspondence and documents are kept in Meeting Minutes binder and relevant project
folders located in the Reading Historical Commission Archives, lower level of the Reading Town Hall.
Preservation only works when we remember it is all about: People — Planning — Partnerships — Politics.
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