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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-02 Historic District Commission Minutes Town of Reading •• z Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historic District Commission 1811OCT 23 AM 7; 46 Date: 2018-08-02 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 Amelia Freedman - Alternate Member Members - Not Present: Ilene Bornstein, Greg Maganzini Pino D'Orazio - Alternate Member Others Present: David DiBenedetto, Frank Curtis, Nick Celiberti, John Giuliotti, Laurel McCarthy Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Virginia Blodgett Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. 228 West street Nick Celiberti, David DiBenedetto and Frank Curtis were present for the Application Mr. Blodgett reminded everyone that a Certificate of Non-Applicability has been issued for the roof The Architect David DiBenedetto passed out large prints of the project and discussed changes to the made to the plan since the last meeting. • No fence • The new roof line on the west side • A new garage with "barn-style" doors • A centralized faux chimney that would use some of the existing bricks from the two original chimneys • The front steps would also use some of the bricks • Two rooms added in the attic • 6-over-6 windows • Aluminum gutters and downspouts The Commission expressed serious concerns that approval had been given for the demolition of the garage without notification to the Commission. It would request that in the future Mr. Redmond notify the Commission. Ms. Adams questioned emergency exits from the attic rooms. Page 1 1 Mr. DiBenedetto responded that all regulations had been met. Mr. Blodgett and the Commission discussed the change in roof line, stating that the existing flat roof is not original, and that there have been leaks. Ms. Adams expressed her concern that changing the roof line to a saltbox style created a Colonial home and since the age of the home is unknown. Mr. DiBenedetto noted that the shed dormer is not really visible from the street Mr. Blodgett stated that it is visible from Wescroft Street Ms. Adams questioned whether a design element could be added so that it would be clear in the future that the roof line had been changed. Mr. Curtis noted that the reason for the change to a saltbox was to allow for access to the two attic rooms and the stairs to them. Ms. Adams asked if the shed dormer came out to the existing wall. Mr. DiBenedetto said that it did. Mr. Blodgett suggested that since there were several items to discuss, that the Commission should discuss and decide on one item at a time. Chimney Mr. Blodgett stated that the two existing chimneys are not visible as you come up Woburn Street, and asked the Commission if they agreed that those two chimneys should be taken down. Ms. Adams stated that a central faux chimney would make the house look more Colonial. Mr. DiBenedetto stated that there is no need for a center chimney and agreed that it alters the perceived age of the building Ms. Adams said that it should not be done Mr. Blodgett asked if the Commission agreed that the two original chimneys should be taken down and the that faux chimney should not be done The Commission agreed. New Side Entry on right side of building Ms. Adams questioned the architectural starburst feature over the entry. Mr. Blodgett suggested that the feature should be either off both entries or on both entries. Mr. Celiberti said he wife really liked that feature. Mr. Curtis stated that the feature is premade and can still be ordered in the Brosco catalog. Ms. Adams explained that the current thinking in preservation is that new additions or features should not match the existing building exactly, so that it will be clear that they are not original. After further discussion, she withdrew her objections. Mr. Blodgett stated that the materials in the new entry must be of wood. Mrs. Adams asked if the new posts will be square like the existing entry. Page 1 2 ,Mr. DiBenedetto said that they would. Windows Mr. Blodgett asked about the material of the windows and said that they should not be plastic and should be 6-over-6. Mr. Celiberti stated that wood windows would cost in excess of$1000 each, and with 34 windows in the house, the budget could not possibly support that cost. He was suggesting replacement windows that are wood with vinyl cladding. The muntins would be between the panes of glass. Ms. Adams expressed concern that the muttons would not be on the outside of the windows and stated that storms could be put on the inside or the outside. Mr. Celibreti suggested that he would agree that the 9 windows on the front side of the building would have the muntins on the outside, and the rest of the windows would have the muntins of the inside. Mr. Blodgett expressed concern that the windows would not match, since the front and right side windows are both visible from West and Wescroft Streets. Ms. Freedman asked other Commission members what the District is really attempting to do. Whether the desire is to restore the house or to repair it? Mr. Blodgett responded that he did not feel that the intent was to restore the house. And that if the windows were original he would fight to restore them, but since they are not, they are trying to preserve the look of the house. Ms. Adams asked if the house would be under one ownership. Mr. DiBenedetto and Mr. Celibreti stated that the house would be sold as two condominiums with a condominium association. Mr. Blodgett agreed that he would be satisfied with vinyl clad wood windows with exterior muntins on the front the house. Materials Mr. Blodgett confirmed with the builder that the house would keep the existing wood shingled exterior with repair/replacement as needed. Mr. DiBenedetto said yes and that the wood shingles would be on the new garage. And that he would send updated elevation plans to Amanda in the Public Services Department and cc: Mr. Blodgett. Mr. Blodgett will write the Abutters Letter listing the decisions that have been agreed upon. Mr. Blodgett questioned the AC units. Mr. DeBenedetto said that the two units will be located near the back porch and will have plantings for natural screening. Ms. Adams raised the question of whether a public hearing should be held. She read from the Bylaw. Mr. Blodgett agreed that there will be many changes to the building, many of which have been approved on previous projects without the need for a public hearing. But that he felt that the changes would not be detrimental to the District. Page 1 3 Ms. Adams said that she felt because of the number of changes, that a hearing should be held. After much discussion by the Commission, it was decided that the public hearing would be waived. Mr. Blodgett appointed Ms. Freedman to replace Mr. Maganzini. Motion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Ms. Freedman, the Commission waive the Public Hearing for 218 West Street. Vote 3-1-0. Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to grant a Certificate on Appropriateness for 218 West Street with the conditions previously discussed. Vote 3-0-1. Mr. Blodgett explained that Abutters Letters will be sent out and if after 10 days there are no concerns you will receive a Certificate. 6 Wentworth Road - Mudroom Addition John Giuliotti was present for the Application Mr. Giuliotti presented the plans for a new mudroom addition to the west side of the house. Mr. Blodgett noted that the house is less than 70 years old and is therefore exempt from review by the Commission, but they would like to have the opportunity to discuss the plans. Ms. Adams and Ms. Freedman concurred that by Section 7.3.9.1 of the Bylaw, because the home is less than 70 years old and because the proposed addition changes less than 25% of the fa Sade, that the Commission would be issuing a Certificate of Non-Applicability. Notion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Ms. Freedman, the Commission grant a Certificate of Non-Applicability for the addition of a mudroom and stairs to the west side of the home at 6 Wentworth Road. Vote 4-0-0. 182 West Street - Repair/Replacement of Steps of the Front Porch Laurel McCarthy was present for the Application Ms. McCarthy explained that the surface of the front porch has become unsafe and that they wish to repair it. They also want to replace the steps and scrape and paint the porch. She also explained to the Commission that the surface of the porch is a combination of wood, vinyl and metal. Mr. Blodgett questioned what the surface would be replaced with. Ms. McCarthy said trex wood. She also said that they are currently getting a price to replace the steps with two granite slabs rather than wood. But they would not know which they were requesting until they had an estimate of the cost of granite. Mr. Blodgett stated that since this a not a repair"in kind" a Certificate of Appropriateness would be necessary. Ms. Adams suggested that the Certificate of Appropriateness might be written with two options for the material for the steps. Motion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Ms. Freedman, the Commission grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for 182 West Street for the deck of the porch of trek wood and the steps of either granite or trek wood. Vote 4-0-0. Page 14 Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to waive the Public Hearing ,for 182 West Street. Vote 4-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Ms. Freedman, to adjourn at 9:06. Vote 4-0-0. Page 1 5