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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-14 Historic District Commission Minutes� rq 0 Town of Reading = Meeting Minutes RECEIVED =; TOWN CLERK Board - Committee - commission - Council: READING, MASS. Historic District Commission 2016 FEB 23 A R 18 Date: 2015 -10 -14 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Coolidge Location: Meeting Room Address: 89 Birch Meadow Drive Purpose: Public Hearing Session: Attendees: Members - Present: Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, Ilene Bornstein, Greg Maganzinl Jack Williams - Associate Member Members - Not Present: Camille Anthony - Associate Member Others Present: Mickey Krockmalnic Debbie Shontz - Stackpole, 186 Summer Avenue Peter Quigley, Criterion Enrichment Program • John Gonzalez, Criterion Enrichment Program Kenneth Margolin, Criterion Enrichment Program Joan Cotter, 49 Riverside Drive Cynda Rohmer, 176 Summer Avenue Bob Drake, 176 Summer Avenue Stephen Crook. 137 Pleasant Street Ellen Penafiel, 143 Prospect Street Al Sylvia, Reading Chronicle Kristen Andrlkopoulos, 55 Hillcrest Road Russell Graham, 68 Maple Ridge Rd Ronald Petrin, 119 Howard Street John Freitas, 20 Howard Street Rick Penafiel, 143 Prospect Street David Traniello, 1 Old Mill Lane Brand Congdon, 80 Prospect Street J. Thomas Parr, 22 Garrett Road Heather Stepler, 77 Mineral Street Virginia Blodgett, 99 Prescott Street Mary Coneeney, 13 Temple Street Anne Coneeney, 13 Temple Street Ben Tafoya, 40 Oak Street Meghan Young, 40 Oak Street Dennis Carr, 61 Temple Street Dan Couet, Criterion Enrichment Program Brooke Heaney, 4 County Road Q Karen Stroman, 46 Washington Street Linda Landry, 57 Colburn Road Nancy Lamb, 194 Summer Avenue Jerry Lamb, 194 Summer Avenue Mary Ann Sardone, 69 Temple Street Page I 1 or a Town of Reading o'P r = Meeting Minutes 9'IMCOPP Jerome Sardone, 69 Temple Street Matt Kraunelis, Town of Reading Carl Mittnight, 18 Cherry Lane Drive Angela Binda, 10 Orchard Park Drive Liz Whitelam, 7 Gilmore Ave Peter Shields, 31 Randall Road Victoria Griffin, 29 Knollwood Road Mary Ellen O'Neill, 125 Summer Avenue Kathy Greenfield, 192 Woburn Street Larry McHugh, 205 Summer Avenue Joe Lupi, 167 Summer Avenue Elizabeth Lupi, 167 Summer Avenue Sharlene Reynolds Santo, 46 Wakefield Street Rachel Baumgartner, 285 Summer Avenue Stephen Baumgartner, 285 Summer Avenue Valerie Wadell, 43 Berkeley Road Mary Bishop, 53 Dana Road Robert & Kelly Corwin, 199 Summer Avenue Jonathan Barnes, 41 Pratt Street Robert Littleton, Criterion Enrichment Program Molly Strout, 325 Summer Avenue Diane Naczas, 50 Victoria Avenue ® Janice Guttadauro, 75 Vine Street Barry Berman, 54 Longview Avenue Anne Godwin, 189 Summer Avenye Mary Pau, 22 Garrett Road Karen Herrick, 9 Dividence Road Robert Tigelaar, 160 Summer Avenue Elizabeth Demarco, 265 High Street Diana Deyermenjian, 217 High Street Mark Warner, 7 Temple Street Bruce Mackenzie, 102 Sanborn Lane Kevin Sexton, 20 Emerson Street David O'Connor, 210 Summer Avenue Susan A Churchill, 83 Highland Street Cathleen Mayo, 87 Prescott Street Robert Figenbaum, 87 Prescott Street Beth Eggimam, 26 Hemlock Road Richard Coco, 4 Fremont Street David Greenfield, 192 Woburn Street Bill Melley, 29 Prospect Street Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Mr. Blodgett read the public hearing ® notice for 186 -190 Summer Avenue and the Town Bylaw under the Historic District section. He introduced the Historic District Commission members along with Town Counsel. Mr. Margolin, representative for Criterion Enrichment, gave an overview of the proposal. He introduced people who have knowledge of the project. He stated the following: Page 1 2 • The current proposal will leave the existing footprint on the home and the barn 100% in tack • All material will be natural and existing material retained where possible • The house appearance will be the same ® The minor addition is not seen from Summer Avenue; and is only partial visible from Parker Middle School. • Criterion Enrichment will not contest that the visibility from Parker Middle School is under the Historic District Commission (HDC) jurisdiction • The barn is in desperate condition; and the proposed renovation will allow It to be useable • Would like the HDC to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness Mr. Krockmalnic introduced himself and stated his credentials. He gave a short PowerPoint presentation. He showed all views of the property; and explained the modifications and said the material will be replaced in kind. Mr. Margolin commented the new location of the HVAC equipment will not be visible from the school driveway. Mr. Gonzalez introduced himself. He showed samples of the clapboard, black slate and windows. Mr. Quigley Introduced himself and stated his work history. He said the proposed underpinning will protect the structural integrity of the building. He explained the need of the underpinning and procedure. Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting for public comment. • Ms. Greenfield said she is presenting on behalf of the 01867 Preservation Group. She displayed aerial views of the current site and proposed site. She questioned why the parking lot was not part of Criterion's presentation. She read structures and exclusions under the bylaw. She continued and read the Mass Historical Guidebook exclusions. She commented the proposed parking lot should be considered a structure under the bylaw. She read points why the walkway and parking lot should be under the Commissions jurisdiction. She summarized by stating the Commission should vote the parking lot as an inappropriate structure and the applicant should be denied. Mr. Margolin said the parking area was not omitted from the presentation on purpose; it was previously approved by the CPDC. He said the approved March 2V minutes states the parking spaces and driveway is not part of the Commission purview. Mr. Blodgett said both the HDC and CPDC should have consideration in reviewing the parking. He said he stands corrected from the March 231d meeting and settings are a huge part of a Historic District. Mr. Margolin asked for a determination from Town Counsel if the HDC has jurisdiction over the parking spaces. Ms. O'Neill said the entire property in a Historic District should be looked at not just the building. It is the responsibility of the Commission to protect the Historic District. Ms. Reynolds -Santo asked why there was not a landscape plan. She questioned how the proposal will impact the neighborhood. Mr. Barnes said the parking lot should be considered a structure and be a determination of ® the HDC. Mr. Carr asked for clarification if there will be an elevation change of the barn. Mr. Krockmalnic stated there will be no change in elevation. Page 13 Ms. Lupl questioned if allowing the parking lot would create precedent in the District. She asked if any owners with double lot could apply for a similar parking lot. Mr. Carr questioned if the parking in the back of the property shows a 4' fill over the . existing grade Ms. Binda asked If signage would be discussed. Mr. Blodgett explained the HDC jurisdiction in regards to signage. Mr. Freitas questioned why the parking lot renderings were not included in the presentation. Ms. Baumgartner asked if anyone investigated if the project would have environmental impact. She questioned If the rain water would go onto the Parker Middle School property Ms. Andrikopoulos stated the project does Impact the footprint: trees being removed to plow, parking lot lights etc. She commented the HDC should have jurisdiction over the parking lot. A resident asked about the noise level of the HVAC if removed to the back of the property. Mr. Malley questioned the rainwater runoff and asked about an environmental review of the oil from leaking cars. Mr. Carr questioned the sewer reconstruction. Ms. Godwin questioned the tunnel integrity Ms. Coneeney asked about the difference in elevation at 186 Summer Avenue and Parker • Middle School property. Mr. Shields asked if the water runoff would enter Parker Middle School. Mr. Warner asked the applicant would be making additional modifications to the exterior of the building. Mr. Blodgett answered they would have to come back to the HDC for approval. Mr. Carr questioned the lower parking lot curb. He asked if the runoff would stay in the parking lot. Mr. O'Connor questioned if the barn collapses, would they rebuild as it appears. Mr. Blodgett answered they would have to come back to the HDC. Ms. Godwin read recommendations for Historic Districts A Howard Street resident asked how the project Impacts the utilities. Mr. Margolin said CPDC approved the stormwater issues, lighting, driveway, parking spaces and signage. He said they will be approaching CPDC for a major or minor modification. Ms. Adams stated the CPDC needs the opportunity to review the proposal. The Dover Amendment is a strong element that was held over the CPDC Mr. Blodgett agreed sewage and water issues falls under the CPDC jurisdiction. He said the HDC has jurisdiction under the foundation and parking lot QMr. Miyares, Town Counsel, said as a result of the project and something happens to the building or causes damage the applicant will need to restore to the current. Ms. Adams asked if a bond could be received to cover the damage. Mr. Blodgett said anything changes, the project will stop and the applicant will need to come back to the HDC. Page 14 Ms. Bornstein asked about the excavation dirt. She stated the parking lot will change the level of the original setting. Mr. Sullivan stated the CPDC approved the driveway. He said the applicant worked with the neighborhood and made adjustments with their requests. He explained why the fill is needed behind the barn area. Ms. Bornstein questioned if there will be soil contamination when the tunnel is excavated. Mr. Margolin said there are strict rules if contaminated soil is found. Ms. Bornstein asked about the snow storage area. Mr. Sullivan the snow storage was approved by CPDC and the Town Engineer. Mr. Margolin stated there are different plans for Town Commission /Board. He said the drainage method was at the request of the Town Engineer. Mr. Sullivan explained the process of the drainage. Ms. Adams said circumstances have changed since the CPDC and Town Engineer approved. The Historic District was not part of the discussion. Mr. Williams asked about the visual impact of the parking lot in the back of the property. Mr. Blodgett asked Town Counsel for a determination, if the parking lot is a structure. Mr. Mirayes answered under the bylaw a parking lot is structure. He said the exclusions should be questioned. He questioned if grade level means what is current or what is proposed. Mr. Margolin said CPDC approved as a driveway not a street. Mr. Mirayes and Mr. Margolin debated if it should be considered a parking lot. Mr. Margolin stated working with two different Town Commission or Board is difficult. ® The residents gave examples of why it should be considered a parking lot and not a driveway: Mr. Tafoya stated his driveway fits 2 cars. He commented as a former Town Selectmen, and gave the history when residents asked for a wider driveway The daughter of the property said the current driveway fits 10 cars. Mr. O'Connor said the entrance is a travel way and should be considered a driveway. A resident asked for a decision from Town Counsel. He asked for confirmation on why CPDC approved 38 spaces. Mr. Blodgett said the proposed driveway with parking is a direct violation on a historic building. Mr. Margolin reminded the Commission, Criterion Enrichment Program has a right under the Dover Amendment. He said the Commission should not restrict use in a Historic District. Mr. Mirayes said the Dover Agreement is protected by the government. He said 24' is a standard driveway included in the exclusions. He questioned if the parking spaces off of the driveway should be considered part of the driveway or parking lot. He asked why the grade level has been raised in that area. Mr. Sullivan explained it was raised to get the drainage to work. Mr. Sullivan agreed if no parking spaces the grade level would not need to be O raised. Mr. Mirayes questioned if the parking spaces in the back was requested by the CPDC or wanted by the Criterion Enrichment Program. Mr. Blodgett reiterated a parking lot has huge affects the setting of a historic building. Page 1 5 Mr. Lamb said he has always objected to the setting. He stated an average driveway does not need runoff or catch basins. Mr. Corwin read from the Falmouth Historic District. • Ms. Shontz - Stackpole stated the original property did not have trees, it was Flat. A resident stated the property will not resemble other properties in the District. Ms. Binda stated other residential properties do not have parking lots. Ms. Reynolds -Santo said the Church was denied approval from the Historical Commission when they asked for additional parking spaces. A resident asked if the Fire Department approved the plan Ms. Mayo asked if visitor's to the Criterion Enrichment Program could park on the street if needed. Mr. Margolin said CPDC did not want parking on the street. Ms. Blodgett said based on the fact the new proposal shows the square footage has decreased, would the applicant consider few parking spaces. Mr. Margolin said the parking plan was submitted to the CPDC; and the parking is based on the use of the program. He said the deduction will affect operational aspects not the children. Ms. Godwin questioned the operational aspects of the business. Mr. Shields questioned how the large amounts of rocks will be removed. ® Ms. Adams stated the parking Issue is going to overflow into the CPDC. The HDC will Interact with the CPDC to find a better solution. She commented the proposed plan does protect the historical home and building. Mr. Margolin said it states in the Rules and Regulations the Commission will make themselves available for an informal review so an approval can be issued. A resident asked if the Commission will review each change. The Commission discussed what they would need from the applicant to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness and a Certificate of Non - Applicability. Ms. Adams acknowledged the Commission received a list of orders from Mr. Margolin to be able to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Littleton asked for any requests in writing, and stated the request will be satisfied. Mr. Mlyares suggested using the letter dated August 20, 2015 to treat as a part of list on what will be replaced in kind or repaired. The Commission discussed meeting the November 6`h deadline. Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to continue the Public Hearing until October 22, 20115, with the 2 "d meeting being held on October 29, 2015. Vote was 5 -0 -0. _ Motion made by Ms. Bornstein, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Page 1 6