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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-22 Historic District Commission Minutes Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Towm CLERK x' 6RE-AF"" "AA. soard - committee - commission - council: 21111 DEC -4 PN 4: 31 Historic District commission Date: 2015-10-22 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, Greg Maganzinl Jack Williams - Associate Member Members- Not Present: Ilene Bornstein Others Present: Virginia Blodgett Mary Ellen O'Neill, 125 Summer Avenue Kathy Greenfleld, 192 Woburn Street Mary Coneeney, 13 Temple Street Nancy Graham, 26 Holly Road Cynda Bohmer, 176 Summer Avenue Robert Drake, 176 Summer Avenue Debbie Shontz-Stackpole, 186 Summer Avenue David Greenfield, 192 Woburn Street Mary Bishop, 53 Dana Road Carolyn Goldy, 42 BerkelyeyStreet Amy Montagna, 8 Tennyson Road Are Godwin, 189 Summer Avenue Robert Tigelaar, 160 Summer Avenue Lori Briere, 24 Greystone Way Margie Sweeney, 93 King Street Barry Berman, 59 Longview Road Pat Uppitt, 11 Temple Street Jack Sullivan, Sullivan Engineering Larry McHugh, 205 Summer Avenue Susan Coccoluto, 195 Summer Avenue Frank Coccoluto, 195 Summer Avenue Nancy Lamb, 194 Summer Avenue Jerry Lamb, 194 Summer Avenue Dan Covet Laura Joelson, 72 Mt. Vernon Street Sharlene Reynolds-Santo, 46 Wakefleld Street Robert Littleton Anne Coneeney, 13 Temple Street George Katsoufls, 9 Berkeley Street Rob Flgenbaum, 87 Prescott Street Johnathan Bames, 41 Pratt Street Marla Dlago, 462 Haverhill Street nge I 1 Is, i Town of Reading a�� Meeting Minutes �p�Fc i,p[ON�' Natasha Wader, 19 Smith Ave Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the public hearing for 186-190 Summer Avenue continued from October 14, 2015 at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Mlyares, Town Counsel, commented on the material received from Mr. Margolin on behalf of the applicant. He stated the decision of the HDC will be based on the bylaw and guideline documents only. Mr. Blodgett said he will be asking for public Input, but only new information will be allowed. Mr. Margolin replied to Mr. Blodgett and Mr. Miyare's comments. He asked that the Chairman only hear comments from the public when it Is under HDC Jurisdiction. He questioned the aerial view displayed at the last meeting. He said Mr. Krockmalnic will be presenting a view from Summer Avenue, which is closer to legal standard. Mr. Littleton stated the process in which the Summer Avenue property was chosen. He explained if HDC denies the application, It would cause hardship to the families who attend the Criterion Enrichment Program. He asked the Commission to make suggestions on how the proposed plans can comply in a historic district. Mr. Krockmalnic showed the view of the property from the street. Mr. Sullivan explained the view, and said the signage shown was previously approved by the CPDC. After Mr. Berman made a comment on the material received from Mr. Margolin, anger was expressed on what was allowed at the last public hearing. Ms. Montague commented her grandson goes to Criterion In Woburn, and stated she can not understand why the meetings are driven by anger. Ms. O'Neill read a letter from Mr. Latham, addressed to the 01867 Preservation Group, opposing the entrance of the property being called a driveway. Mr. Blodgett closed public comments. He stated the HDC will be having a general discussion If the Commission can decide about the parking lot and/or driveway. The Commission shared their thoughts on the parking lot and/or driveway. Motion made by Mr. Williams the Commission has Jurisdiction over the parking lot that is invoked upon this property and should be known as a continuous parking lot. Ms. Adams seconded. Mr. Mlyares asked for clarification. He asked if the motion was Intended to say the Commission extends to all paved areas, excluding the 24'driveway. Mr. Williams answered the paved area is one piece, his motion Includes the 24' driveway. The Commission discussed the visual impact the parking lot has in a historic district. Mr. Blodgett questioned if there were less parking spaces, could the driveway entrance be 20' instead of the proposed 24'. Page 12 The vote was 4-1-0 (Mr. Blodgett against). Motion made by Mr. Williams the Commission has jurisdiction over the entire paved area. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Mr. Blodgett asked the Commission to consider alterations, changes or manipulate the paved area so It would be a more favorable to the setting at the property located 186-190 Summer Avenue. The Commission discussed the following: • Use of impervious materials • Use of turf stone • Entrance to be 20', rather than the proposed 24' • Row of trees to soften the setting • Handicap spaces moved • Moving 17 spaces to the back of the building • Pickup and drop off area • Limiting the parking spaces that is next to the historic home • A turn around area • Summary of plant materials, to see the effect on the setting • Keeping the curb In the front of the building for protection to the historic home • Period appropriate light pole • Number of signs that were approved by the CPDC • Reducing the parking spaces, consistent to operational needs Mr. Miyares clarified where needed. Mr. Margolin and Mr. Littleton asked for a list from the Commission. They said they are willing to work with the suggestions, but will have to make sure the Dover Amendment will be met. The public commented on the discussion by the Commission. Mr. Blodgett closed the hearing to the public. The Commission reviewed the list of non-applicability items that was forwarded to them from the applicant. The windows were discussed, if they were going to be replaced or restored. The Commission made suggestion to the non-applicability list. The Commission reviewed the list of appropriateness Items that was forwarded to them from the applicant. After a discussion, It was agreed rather than go through each item there will be a stipulation that the Commission will approve the design before any construction begins. Ms. Adams asked about a Preservation Restriction on the historic property. This request was explained by Mr. Mlyares. Ms. Adams asked for a clause that would state If the property if no longer a Dover Amendment use the surface will be removed from the parking area. Mr. Margolin and Mr. Miyares discussed this restriction. Mr. Margolin agreed, but stated It should be the owner of the property responsibility. Ms. Adams commented If the Commission does not approve a Certificate of Appropriateness then It would go to a Certificate of Hardship. If appeal It would go to arbitration. She encouraged the Commission to avoid arbitration and court. Mr. Miyares suggested the Commission members call him directly if they have any questions or concerns in regards to a specific word or a specific condition. Motion made by Ms. Adams to continue the Public Hearing until October 29, 2015 being held at the Pleasant Street Center. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote was 5-0-0 Motion made by Mr. Williams to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. Ms. Poehler seconded. Vote was 5-0-0 Page 1 3