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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-22 Historic District Commission Minutes e Town of Reading 4 Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: TUN 19 f_'.1. F F K Historic District Commission ° - A . Date: 2018-10-22 Time: 7:00 PM dli DEC I I AM 9: 12 Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Priscilla Poehler, Greg Maganzini Associate Member - Amelia Freedman & Pino D'Orazio Members - Not Present: Virginia Adams, Ilene Bornstein Others Present: Robert Drake, David Goodwin, Cynda Rohma, Robert Corwin, Jerry and Nancy Lamb, Joe Lupl, Susan Coccoluto Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Blodgett stated Amelia Freedman and Pino D'Orazio are moved to voting members. Discussion of Re-certificate or Certificate extension for general information and application to 186 Summer Avenue Mr. Blodgett provided a brief timeline what transpired once the application from Criterion Child Enrichment Center at 186 Summer Avenue was received. He said a Certificate of Non- Applicability and Certificate of Appropriateness was issued and amended; and the Commission and the Reading Historical Commission approved the Preservation Restriction Agreement. Mr. Blodgett informed the Commission Mr. Eric Russell from Town Counsel Is present to help guide the Commission on how to progress since the project has not started. Mr. Russell corrected Mr. Blodgett and said there was an additional amendment issued that extended the Certificates for two years after a building permit is issued. To help clarity, he read the Certificate. Mr. Russell summarized the conversation he had with Glen Redmond, the Commissioner of Buildings and Mr. Ken Margolin the Attorney for the Owner, and said they both agreed the building permit Issued In November 2016 for interior work is outside of the HDC jurisdiction. He said the two-year time period does not start until a building permit is issued for the proposed work the HDC approved and added the owner would have a right to ask for an extension if proved the renovation was substantially completed. Page I 1 Mr. Blodgett gave his opinion the property has been neglected and said the barn doors remain open and a gas can on the ground next to the buildings. Mr. Russell said there Is not a condition in the Decision that gave a timeframe on when a building permit Is required to be issued for the exterior of the main dwelling and barn. Mr. Robert Corwin from 199 Summer Avenue questioned why the building permit that was issued for the foundation It not considered part of the HDC jurisdiction. Mr. Russell explained the building permit issued was for the foundation on the Interior of the building. Mr. Blodgett said the proposal is to rebuild the entire foundation - which can be viewed from the street. Mr. Russell responded once the work that was authorized is permitted the HDC will have jurisdiction. Mr. Blodgett expressed concern Interior demolition was permitted. He said the owner has shown no Interest in maintaining the property and is questioning if the intent is to allow the building to fall into disrepair. Mr. Russell asked the condition of the home. Mr. Blodgett replied he can only see what is visible from the road: • Branches coming up through the boards; • Barn door; • Foxes living under the porch; and • Potential rat problem Mr. Blodgett added his bigger concern is what to do about the owner not starting the project, not communicating and allowing the house to fall into disrepair. Mr. Russell responded other Town Departments and Boards could be contacted to see how they can assist. Ms. Cinda Rohma owner of 176 Summer Avenue brought forward the Abandoned Property By-Law and read section 8.10.3 and 8.10.4 of the Town of Reading General By-Law. She added she is having trouble selling her home and implied It was due to being next door to 186 Summer Avenue. Mr. Corwin asked if there has been communication with the Town and questioned the intentions of the owner. Mr. Russell responded he has had a discussion with Mr. Margolin last week regarding the property and said Mr. Margolin was surprised the project has stalled. He said he was told the original Architect has been replaced, and there was no timeline submitted for when a permit will be required for work authorized by the Commission. Mr. Corwin asked if the owner was approached to abandon the project. Mr. Blodgett stated he is concerned a few properties in Reading are not up to par but said the properties in the Historic District should be maintained and appreciated. He expressed concern the Town has not contacted the owner or the Commission to discuss this property and asked about consequences. Mr. Russell discussed pinpointing deadlines and verifying with the Assessing Department the property is being taxed since it is not currently being used as an educational center. Mr. D'Orazio stated the owner is clearly in violation of the Abandoned Property By-Law and the Board of Health should be contacted for the potential foxes and rats. Mr. Blodgett asked what the procedure was to contact other departments and Boards. He commented the Town holds DRT meetings - this is a meeting held with all Town departments. Mr. Russell replied he will contact the Town Manager to see how to proceed. Mr. Russell reiterated the Commission does not need to extend the Certificate and added once a building permit is issued for the work authorized the two-years will begin. Ms. Rohma asked if the educational use would be allowed since it has been abandoned for more than two years. Mr. Russell explained the school is protected under the Dover Page 12 Amendment. Mr. Blodgett questioned if the State could be contacted to inform them the owner was issued a permit under the Dover Amendment but has not proceeded. Mr. Russell asked what Commission is responsible for the Preservation Restriction Agreement. Mr. Blodgett replied the Reading Historical Commission but expressed concern they weren't able to enter the property to take pictures. Mr. Russell said if the Preservation Restriction was for the exterior it would enable an additional enforcement. Mr. Russell said he will reach out to the owner to reach a mutual agreeable time to see the property. Mr. Blodgett cautioned he does not want the project to be stalled any further. Mr. Russell confirmed he will contact the Assessing Department regarding the taxes. Ms. Rohma asked if the Town could receive back taxes. Mr. Russell said both the vacant property by-law and the taxes would send a strong reason to clean up the property. Ms. Rohma asked If the plans would need to be reviewed by the Commission since there is a new architect. Mr. Russell said the same approved plans will be utilized. Mr. Bob Drake asked when the Commission would hear from the Town.. Mr. Russell replied he will follow up with the Commission by the end of next week. Mr. Blodgett asked if the State could withdraw the permission because of the delinquency. Mr. Russell replied the statuary cannot be withdrawn. Mr. D'Orazlo gave his opinion the owner is manipulating the non-profit status by not doing anything and not paying taxes. Mr. Blodgett thanked Mr. Russell and the residents for attending the meeting. Establish meeting schedule After a discussion, the Commission agreed to meet the second Monday each month and if there is a holiday they will meet the third Monday. Mr. Blodgett requested the Commission to give feedback on allowing the chair to issue a Certificate of Non-Applicability when the project Is to be replaced in-kind. Mr. Blodgett commented it is difficult to "police"the work being done in the District without the proper approval. Mr. Maganzini pointed out a property on West Street that installed a fence without contacting the Commission. Mr. D'Orazio asked if the owner would be contacted. Mr. Blodgett stated the new Town software has helped with notifying the Commission when there is an application, but it is difficult if a building permit is not required. Mr. Blodgett brought forward the concern the speed limit in the District on west Street is 30 mph and the speed limit in the District on Summer Avenue is 25 mph. The Commission discussed requesting the Select Board to reduce the speed limit. Motion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Mr. Maganzini, to approve the Commission to approach the Select Board to reduce the speed limit In the District on West Street to 25 mph. Vote 5-0-0 .Approval of Minutes Motion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Mr. Blodgett to approve the June 18, 2018 minutes as amended. Vote 5-0-0 Motion made by Ms. Poehler, seconded by Mr. Blodgett to approve the July 9, 2018 and August 2, 2018 minutes as amended. VoteS-0-0 The Commission discussed if the additional members are alternates or associates and decided they will be associates unless corrected. Page 1 3 Mr. Maganzini brought forward a complaint about an A-Frame sign at 188 West Street. He said it appears the house is for sale but it is not, the owner is using the A-Frame to promote his real estate business. Mr. Blodgett complimented how since the District has been created the appearance of West Street has improved. Motion made by Ms. Coehler, seconded by Ms. Freedman, to adjourn at 8:40. Vote 5-0-0. Page 14