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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-14 Historic District Commission Town of Reading i Meeting Minutes RF A. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: ''. i! L Cr Historic District Commission 3113 DEI: 23 PM 1: 48 Date: 2019-01-14 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; Greg Maganzini, Virginia Adams, Ilene Bornstein, Priscilla Poehler Amelia Freedman & Pino D'Orazio- Alternate Member(s) Members - Not Present: Others Present: Allison Maganzini, Robert Biggio, Patrick Cloney, Joshua Latham Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:00 PM Ms. Adams requested an updated members list. Discussion 116 West Street property and lot(s) Attorney Joshua Latham, Robert Biggio and Patrick Cloney were present for the discussion. Mr. Blodgett provided a brief background on the property at 116 West Street. The property is large and has existed since 1850. The owner is proposing a new house on the south west side of the property and would like feedback from the Commission. He said he previously attended a Town DRT meeting and recently a meeting with Attorney Joshua Latham, Julie Mercier the Community Development Director and Mr. Biggio the property owner. Mr. Blodgett explained the project could require approval from the Historical Commission, Historic District Commission (HDC) and the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC). Mr. Latham presented the proposal: • The owners purchased the property in 2002; • The property is 4-times the size of the abutter's property; • The property would qualify for a subdivision as-a-right in any other part of the town; • The proposal is for one new dwelling; • The proposed roadway would create a setback violation; and • The existing dwelling cannot be moved without the HDC approval Mr. Latham explained the Subdivision Rules requires an applicant to prove a full subdivision could be built before the CPDC can approve a waiver to build a low-impact subdivision. He asked if the Commission would draft a letter to the CPDC stating the Commission is open to the idea the existing dwelling could be relocated for the subdivision. Mr. Latham assured the Page 1 1 Commission the owner does not want to relocate the dwelling and a Certificate of Appropriateness would be filed when required. Ms. Bornstein asked if the home is occupied. Mr. Biggio responded it is occupied part-time, but he will reside there once the project is completed. Ms. Adams asked if the back building (barn) is residential use. Mr. Biggio responded the back building is attached to the main house and it is all living space. Ms. Adams questioned when the barn was converted to living space and if it is an accessory apartment? Mr. Latham responded it is a single-family dwelling; and added he will look when it was established. Ms. Adams said according to the inventory the original owner had greenhouses and asked if there was remanence of a foundation. Mr. Biggio responded the structure next to the patio is considered the greenhouse, but he has not seen any foundation evidence. Ms. Bornstein asked if the dwelling is relocated and not visible from the roadway would the Commission still have jurisdiction. Mr. Blodgett replied trees do not count in visibility. Mr. Maganzini gave his opinion clearing of the trees would change the view. Mr. Blodgett and Mr. Maganzini expressed concern with moving of the dwelling. Mr. Latham explained the preference is to not to move the dwelling and the CPDC to allow the waiver for a low-impact subdivision. Mr. Blodgett said the bylaws do not say you cannot move an existing dwelling; and said both RHC and HDC would have to approve a demolition and/or partial demolition. Mr. Latham responded the objective is to restore and maintain and not to demolish. If the CPDC doesn't grant the waiver, a Certificate of Appropriateness will be filed. Ms. Freedman asked if the Commission gives approval for the house to be relocated and a waiver is not granted does the Commission lose influence over the situation. Mr. Latham responded this discussion is an informal meeting and the letter would state the HDC is open to the concept of the dwelling to be moved. He assured the applicant would come back to the Commission. Mr. Latham presented a letter that he drafted for the Commission to review. Mr. Blodgett pointed out a full-size subdivision would require a larger turn-around and less greenery. Mr. Latham provided information about 40 Grove Street who recently filed a similar concept and the CPDC approved the low-impact subdivision. The appearance from the roadway is a larger driveway. Mr. Latham clarified the entire property will remain in the District. He reiterated the subdivision is for one additional dwelling and both properties will be single-family residence. Mr. Latham explained the first proposal of buying land from the family of the abutting property did not work out. Mr. Maganzini asked if it will be one driveway with two addresses. Mr. Biggio responded it will be two houses branched off a widened driveway. Mr. D'Orazio asked how large is the new house? Mr. Latham said there are no plans yet of the proposed dwelling, but the owner will come back to the HDC for approval. Mr. Latham informed the Commission the Conservation Commission has no jurisdiction of the property. Page 1 2 Mr. Blodgett commented there are a lot of trees on the property. Mr. Latham said the Historical Commission will be prompted when a building permit application is submitted. Ms. Adams cautioned moving historical properties could diminish the criteria to keep the property on the National Register. Mr. Latham said the property is not on the National Register. Mr. Biggio reiterated the goal is to not to move the house or build a large cul-de-sac. The original house will be restored and improved. Mr. D'Orazio asked the status with the CPDC and other approvals? Mr. Latham replied nothing has been submitted yet, wanted to discuss with the HDC first. He said the public will be notified during the CPDC approval. Mr. Latham said this is a unique circumstance and will be setting precedent. Ms. Adams said land is sparse in Reading and there is more pressure to find parcels of land. Mr. Latham reiterated a subdivision would be allowed anywhere else in Town. Mr. D'Orazio asked if the abutters have been notified. Mr. Biggio said a year ago and most were supportive. The Commission agreed they did not want a large cul-de-sac and the house should remain in the existing location. Ms. Adams gave her opinion moving the house to the rear of the property would spoil the visual appeal. Ms. Bornstein said the letter-of-support should make a clear commitment what the Commission strongly recommends. Mr. Latham recommended the Commission attend the CPDC meeting. Mr. Cloney said the property is well overgrown and some trees are in significant decline. The redevelopment will allow the front to be cleaned up and a better view from the roadway. Mr. Blodgett said the Commission does not have control over trees, but visibility is an issue. Mr. Biggio said the preference is for greenspace over a large cul-de-sac. Mr. Latham said a low-impact subdivision is more appropriate for a Historic District. Ms. Adams said a reason to support is the new house in the rear of the property does not visually impact the District. Mr. Latham read the letter-of-support he drafted and reminded the Commission it is to let the CPDC know the Commission is open to the concept of moving the house. If the CPDC requires a full subdivision and the house has to be moved the owner will be required to file with the HDC. The Commission discussed the letter and gave their opinion how it should read. Mr. Latham said with the Fire Department approval, the new dwelling will be sprinkled. He has been working with Ms. Julie Mercier the Community Development Director and Andrew MacNichol the Staff Planner on the proposal. Mr. Blodgett expressed concern if the CPDC doesn't approve the low-impact subdivision; and he gave his opinion it would enhance the District. Ms. Bornstein suggested the Commission make changes to the bylaw in regards to moving houses. Page 1 3 Mr. Latham, Mr. Biggio and Mr. Cloney left the room to discuss updating the letter. The Commission continued on with the agenda until they returned. Mr. Latham and the rest of the team returned to the meeting, and Mr. Latham read the proposed letter. The Commission discussed and made additional changes. After a discussion and the assurance by Mr. Latham the letter only starts the process and it does not give approval for the house to be moved the Commission agreed to vote tonight. Motion made by Ms. Poehier, seconded by Mr. Maganzini, to accept the letter-of- support as amended and to allow Mr. Blodgett to sign once all changes are made as discussed. Vote 5-0-0. Discussion 168 West Street Allison and Greg Maganzini were present for the discussion. Mr. Maganzini recused himself as a member. Mr. Maganzini the owner of 168 West Street said this discussion is only a preliminary topic and an application has not been submitted. He said he has lived in the house for 10 years and his family is growing and they would like to stay in the District. Ms. Maganzini presented preliminary sketches of a proposed garage with a master bedroom and bathroom above. Ms. Adams said a new garage would be an opportunity to renovate the kitchen. She said this would allow only one interruption to the fabric of the interior of the Historic house. Mr. Maganzini replied the kitchen has already been renovated. Mr. Maganzini said the addition will match the existing home. Ms. Adams said additions should stand as an addition and not replicate the historic home. Mr. Maganzini said his existing home has vinyl siding and the addition will too. Mr. Blodgett said the hip roof on the home is a unique feature and only house in Reading that has that feature. The Commission discussed other historical homes and homes in the District who have built additions. Mr. Maganzini said he isn't planning on the addition for another year or two. Other Mr. Blodgett reminded the Commission of the site inspection at 186 Summer Avenue on January 23, 2019 at 8:00 AM. He said the meeting is not posted; there cannot be any discussion at the property. The Commission briefly discussed what to expect at the meeting and how they are concerned the house is being neglected to allow for a demolition. 3 Lewis Street — Fence There was no one present. Mr. Blodgett said he sent a letter to the owners of 3 Lewis Street regarding the white plastic fence that was installed without approval from the Commission. He said he received an apology letter from the owner. The Commission briefly discussed and agreed to table to the next meeting since the owner was not present. Minutes The minutes were tabled until the next meeting. Page 1 4 Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Mr. Bornstein, to adjourn at 8:50 Vote 5- 0-0. P.Qe 1 5