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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-04 Historic District Commission Town of Reading x Meeting Minutes Jv ERK MA, Board - Committee - Commission - Council: [(r Historic District Commission AJ DEL 23 PM 1: 49 Date: 2019-11-04 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 Amelia Freedman, Carl Mittnight and Pino D'Orazio - Alternate Member(s) Members - Not Present: Ilene Bornstein Others Present: Bob Biggio, Patrick Cloney, Timothy Heaney, Joshua Latham Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:02 PM. 116 West Street Attorney Joshua Latham provided a brief overview on the procedural history of 116 West Street. Mr. Robert Biggio, the owner of the property, met with the Historic District Commission in January and received an informal approval to move the existing historic dwelling to allow for the lot to be subdivided and one new dwelling constructed. The Commission sent a letter to the Community Planning and Development Commission to inform them of the approval but stressed they would prefer the house not to be moved. Mr. Blodgett concurred the Commission did not want the house to be moved for the full subdivision. Mr. Latham explained the CPDC approved a more rational subdivision for the neighborhood; there will be a shared driveway to service both dwellings rather than a full street. He said the owner is requesting the Commission to review the exterior plans of the new dwelling tonight and the owner will apply for renovations on the historic home in the near future. Mr. Biggio provided plans to show the aesthetics of the new dwelling: • One new lot approved by the CPDC; • The design is traditional and will fit within the neighborhood; • Cultured stone product on the foundation; • Vinyl tan siding with white Azek trim board; • Full farmers porch; • The appearance is engaging for the street frontage and welcoming; • Shingle style at the peak of the house, to a more clapboard at the base; • Anderson windows, Series 400; • Typical construction material; and • Asphalt shingles for the roof Page 1 1 Mr. Maganzini asked what on the house would be seen from the public way. Mr. Biggio replied the front and side; the house is over 100' back from the road and tucked behind the historic home. Mr. Blodgett explained the common driveway curves to the left of the property. Ms. Adams stated the proposal looks like a contemporary home; it helps it does not look like the historic home. She asked if the foundation material is poured concrete. Mr. Biggio replied the foundation will be concrete and showed stone material that will be installed over the concrete. Mr. Blodgett said that type of material is southwestern and not uncommon. Ms. Adams commented the following about the plans: • Dormers; • Returns; • Round window makes it interesting; • Porch looks decent; and • Single door garage is prominent Ms. Adams asked what room is proposed where the glass is shown. Mr. Biggio responded a dining room or office on the first level with a bedroom above. Mr. Blodgett commented the Historic District is different, not like most other historic boards. The properties in the District are not all historic. He gave his opinion the proposal is not contemporary or modern. Mr. Biggio said the proposal is for four-bedrooms unless the basement is finished. Ms. Adams asked if the garage projects forward? Mr. Biggio replied the garage is even with the porch. Mr. Blodgett said the bylaw protects the synthetic material proposed as the house is under 70 years of age; the Commission has greater control over properties that are over 70 years. He added the layout of the land is important. Mr. Maganzini asked if owner considered using any other type of material for the siding and questioned why the Commission would allow the vinyl siding. Mr. Blodgett explained the Commission cannot stop the installation because it is new construction. Ms. Freedman asked if wood material was considered? Mr. Blodgett said the Commission can suggest but not request materials. Ms. Freedman commented the door on the garage is large and prominent and will be shiny. Mr. Blodgett said in the past, the Commission has allowed vinyl garage doors. Mr. Biggio responded the new home location is far off the street, and hardy plank board siding is expensive. He said he would prefer to concentrate the finances on the existing historic home. Ms. Adams commented there is a lot of roof that is shown, but because it is new construction it will not be addressed. Mr. Patrick Cloney asked the Commission if they have original pictures of the property. Mr. Blodget replied he does not have original pictures. Ms. Adams asked if there are any chimneys and stated the plans do not show much detail. Mr. Blodgett said the Commission does not have jurisdiction over color. Mr. Blodgett talked about a bridge that was around 116 West Street and was removed, which could be the reason that some properties have water problems. Ms. Adams read Section 7.3.8.2 of the Bylaw - New Construction. Mr. Biggio informed the Commission pine trees have been cleared from the property. Page 12 Mr. Blodgett asked for an opinion should the Commission should request dimensional drawings for the next meeting in relationship to the neighborhood. Ms. Adams asked for the dimensions of the house. Mr. Biggio replied the proposed house is 75-feet long with a garage. Mr. Latham reminded the Commission the property is 18,000sf and the neighboring properties average 10,000sf. Mr. Blodgett gave his opinion the glass location on the south end of the house is where the glass should be proposed. Mr. Blodgett asked the Commission how they would like to proceed; do they need more details or do they want to vote? The Commission reviewed the site plan that was approved by the CPDC and the Fire Department. Mr. Biggio said as part of the approval, there will be plantings at the property lines. Ms. Adams asked if the approval for the new dwelling can be tied into the renovation on the existing home. Mr. Latham explained the financial circumstance and said the approval of the new home will allow funding for the existing home. He said the owner could sell the new lot as a buildable lot. Mr. D'Orazio gave his opinion the two homes and applications should be kept separate. Mr. Latham said the CPDC approves the lot size and zoning dictates the setbacks. He said Chuck Tirone, the Conservation Administrator, has walked the property and Conservation does not have jurisdiction. Ms. Adams gave her opinion the new dwelling is very large, but is appropriate for the size of the lot. Mr. Maganzini said he is concerned with the proposed materials but understands there is little control over new construction. Mr. D'Orazio was appointed as a voting member. Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehfer, to approve the proposed specifications for Lot 1 at 116 West Street. Vote 5-0-0 After a discussion, it was agreed a public hearing will be required for the proposal at 116 West Street. Mr. Latham will draft a letter granting an extension for the hearing date. Mr. Blodgett will confirm with Town Hall the public hearing can be scheduled on November 26, 2019. The Commission agreed to allow the foundation permit to be issued before the public hearing meeting. Mr. Blodgett will write a Notice from the Historic District Commission and submit to the Building Department. The Commission determined site work can continue. Ms. Adams commented in the future there could additional application(s) for new construction, the trend is tear down and rebuild new homes. 4 County Road Mr. Blodgett gave a brief history of the home at 4 County Road and the location. He said in September 2017 the Commission issued a Certificate for windows located on the second floor, the Certificate has expired. The property owner, Timothy Heaney is requesting further window replacement to be done by the contractor Steve Gagnon. Mr. Heaney explained he installed the windows on the second floor that were ordered by Steve Gagnon without the benefit of a permit. He is requesting approval to replace the first-Floor windows. The proposal is to remove the existing storm windows and the Page 1 3 replacement windows are 6 over 6 with mullions. The new windows will be visually the same as the existing. Ms. Adams suggested the "red book" on maintaining and repairing existing windows. Mr. Heaney said the windows are not original. Mr. Blodgett commented this request is the same as previously approved and he has no concern with approving these window replacements. Ms. Adams questioned if the windows that were replaced on the second floor will meet today's building code. She pointed out historical properties can be exempt from requiring a larger egress windows in the bedrooms. Ms. Adams discussed Salem Historical Commission; and asked if the Commission should do a study on window requirements. Mr. Blodgett agreed the Commission should look into the window requirements. Ms. Adams inquired if the main house should have the same artificial material as the upstairs windows; and asked if there were any original wood windows stored in the attic. Mr. Heaney replied there were no windows in the attic but there are doors. The Commission agreed a Certificate of Appropriateness is required to replace the windows. Motion made by Mr. D'Orazio, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the windows on the first floor at 4 County Road. Vote 5-0-0 After a discussion, the Commission agreed the public hearing can be waived but the abutters will need to be notified. Mr. Heaney expressed his frustration that the abutters will have to be notified and questioned why he has not been notified on projects that have taken place at his neighbor's properties. Motion made by Mr. D'Orazfo, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to waive the public hearing for the window replacement on the first floor at 4 County Road however the abutters will need to be notified. Vote 5-0-0 After a discussion, the Commission determined the motion needed to be amended to include the upstairs window that were originally approved in 2017. Motion made by Mr. D'Orazio, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to amend the motion to include the upstairs windows that were originally approved September 2017 without the benefit of a permit. Vote 5-0-0 186 Summer Avenue Mr. Blodgett brought forward the letter the Commission received from residents questioning why the chain-link fence at 186 Summer Avenue is still up even though it doesn't appear to them construction is proceeding. He informed the Commission he talked to Mark Dupell, the Building Commissioner, and he was told a construction fence is required to be installed and the neighbors asked for that type of fence to help block out the construction. If the Commission agrees, Mr. Dupell will write a letter to request the fence to be repaired. Ms. Freedman said the residents requested the fence to be removed and suggested someone communicate directly with them. Mr. Blodgett responded he has tried to call two different abutters with no response. Mr. Blodgett said the permit was issued a few months ago and the contractor has changed since the permit was issued. He talked about the foundation that can be seen from the abutting middle school property right-of-way and said a Certificate of Appropriateness will be required if the foundation needs to be repaired. The Commission discussed the property and expressed their confusion on why the Town does not require the owner to pay property taxes. Mr. Blodgett replied he has approached Page 14 the Town about this concern, and said the Commission does not have authority to pursue this concern. Mr. D'Orazio asked if Town Counsel should be involved with this property. 201 Prescott Street Mr. Blodgett said the owners of 201 Prescott Street would like to change their front door and the owner has found a wood product door. He asked if the door replacement is maintenance, a Certificate of Appropriateness or should the request be tied into the bigger project that will he happening in the near future. Mr. D'Orazio responded the owner should submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Blodgett said since the owner has not applied for an application the Commission cannot act on the request. Other • 198 Summer Avenue Mr. Blodgett said he received an email from the owner of 198 Summer Avenue requesting specifications on specific limitation on windows and he is not sure how to respond. Ms. Adams recommended the "red book". She said the Commission has never set a policy on the type of windows to approve. Mr. Blodgett said he will point out the bylaw to the owner • Mr. Blodgett passed out the letter from Reading Bylaw Committee regarding residency requirements. He said the questionnaire should be returned by February 2020 Minutes • January 14th, July 8th, September 9th and September 26th 2019 Minutes The minutes were distributed to the Commission members and will be voted on at the next meeting. Motion made by Ms. Poehier, seconded by Mr. D'Orazio, to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 PM. Vote 5-0-0 Page 1 5