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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-22 Historic District Commission Minutes O�r1OF _ Town of Reading e Meeting Minutes ; . = Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2016 1 .9 $• 35 Historic District Commission Date: 2018-05-22 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall. Location: Conference Room .Address: 16 Lowell Street Session:. Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: .Members Present: Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, Greg Maganzini Members - Not Present: Ilene Bornstein, Jack Williams Others Present: Guido Sabatello, Stephen O'Shea Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion:. Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:00 PM 257 West Street, Certificate - Stephen O'Shea Mr. Stephen. O'Shea the owner of 257 West Street presented an application to install a split rail fence. The proposed location would be afong the front of the home and on both sides of the driveway. . Mr. O'Shea said he spoke to the Town and isallowed to install the fence up to the property line. Mrs. O'Shea added the fence type is West Virginia Split Rail with a rustic appearance: Mr. Blodgett expressed concern when the Town.plows the sidewalk the fence will'be damaged. Mr. O'Shea responded the Town does not plow the sidewalks on his side of the street. Mrs. Adams questioned if the Applicant has a site plan showing tlie. location.of the fence. Mr. O'Shea replied he did not have a site plan, but reiterated the proposed location. Mr. Maganzini arrived at 7:07 PM. Mr. O'Shea said the fence will be installed-1' onto his property with a mulch bed underneath; and there will be no gate opening. Mrs. Adams commented the proposed fence.is suitable to the architecture of the home. Mr.. Blodgett asked the Commission if they had a preference on the fence setback. He .. added he preferred the fence to be. setback from the property line to help:with the sight view and.to prevent damage to the fence. Mr. O'Shea confirmed the.4' fence will be pressure treated wood. Page i 1 Mr. Blodgett said the home is more than 70 years old; and fences are in the Guidelines and are-under the Commissions purview. 1 Motion Made.by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler, the HDC approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the owner of 257 West Street to install a split rail fence as discussed with the-Commission; There will be-no public hearing required but the abutters need to'-be notified. ',Vote was 4-0-0. -146 Summer Avenue, Discussion Guido Sabatello Mr. Blodgett said the:property at 146 Summer Avenue is well maintained and is the Wisteria Lodge home. The owner installed a fence without receiving approval from the Commission and a letter was sent requesting an application be submitted. He informed the owner he is not the.only property owner in the District who has done work at their home without the proper approvals. The responsibility of the'Comrriission is to ensure there is approval before work commences on a.property. j Mrs. Adams said the fence and gate is appropriate and appealing. She added-she is glad the owner has addressed the mistake; but wanted it; noted the fence being installed before approval is.a first warning and any future negligence would be subject to a fine. Mrs. Adams explained the duty of the Commission is to work with the owner to preserve the streetscape in the district_. She said it is noted there;was a subsequent lapse of not submitting an application and this issue is up for further discussion. Mr. Maganzini asked if the driveway was required to ,be cut out to install.the fence. The owner Mr. Guido Sabatello apologized for the late submittal of the application and said he would not want his-property to appear"butchered". He.explained the grass he.planted was ruined with a plow, and the fence was installed to help prevent future grass damage. Mr. Sabatello said he put much.thought into the type; of fence and believes the wrought iron is appropriate and was installed symmetric around the property. Mr. Blodgett thanked the owner for meeting with the'Commission, and agreed the wrought iron fence blends nicely. He commented on a property owner who installed a fence two weeks before the District was created. After a discussion, the Commission agreed Mr. Sabatello would not be required to notify the abutters since the approval is after the fence was installed. Mr. Blodgett will draft a Certificate and note the Commission approved after-.the-fact. Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler; the HDC approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the'.owner of i46"West Summer Avenue for the wrought iron fence.that was installed without_prior approval. A public hearing is not required, and the abutters will not be notified. Vote was 4-0-0. Other The Commission reviewed and made changes to the updated HDC application. The application :will be updated.reflecting the changes and reviewed by Ms. Beatrice and Ms. Saunders before allowing the residents to use. Mr. Blodgett informed the members he has issued four roof.Certificate of Non-Applicabilities since the last meeting that was held in December. Mr. Blodgett informed the Commission he is in the process of creating an Excel,spreadsheet. on the properties in the District listing types of-work that has been reviewed by the Commission. i Page 1 2 Ms. Poehler asked if the shed at 156 West Street has-been approved by the Commission. Mr. Blodgett explained.he did approve the-Certificatesince the work on the shed,wase started and the shed was replaced in-kind. He added the shed will eventually be sided. Mr..Blodgett informed the Commission it appears there is a property that has an existing HVAC unit in the front of their property and maybe installed a generator without approval. minutes Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehier,- to approve the December .18, 2017 minutes as,amended. Vote was 4-0-0. Mr. Blodgett.noted he will follow up_and find out what Certificate he issued for 201 Prescott Street. Adiournment Motion was made by Ms..Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehier, to adjourn at 8:20 PM. Vote was 4-0-0. Page 1 3