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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-26 Historic District Commission Town of Reading z Meeting Minutes IOWA CLERK Board - committee - commission - Council: (-6, Historic District Commission Al DEC 23 PM 1: 50 Date: 2019-09-26 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members - Present: Everett Blodgett, Chairman; Virginia Adams, Priscilla Poehler, Greg Maganzini, Priscilla Poehler Carl Mittnight and Pino D'Orazio - Alternate Member(s) Members - Not Present: Ilene Bornstein, Amelia Freedman Others Present: Gary Lorden and Heidi Lorden, Glen and Sandy Hartzler, Dick and Kathy Knowles, Gene Connelly Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting at 7:02 PM. 115 West Street — Public Hearina Mr. Blodgett opened the public hearing for 115 West Street. He said the Applicant presented the proposed plan at a previous meeting that was held about two weeks ago. At the meeting it was determined a public hearing is required. Ms. Adams read the public hearing notice into the record. Mr. Blodgett asked Mr. Lorden from Benjamin Builders, the owner of the property, if any changes were made to the plan from the last meeting. Mr. Lorden confirmed the plans are the same. Ms. Adams asked if the Applicant would do a quick overview of the proposal for the abutters who are in attendance. Mr. Lorden introduced his wife Heidi, and provided a brief presentation of the proposed plan. Ms. Adams explained the Commission does not have purview over the proposed changes to the interior. Mr. Blodgett said the Commission does have purview on the garage demolition and the addition. Mr. Blodgett opened the meeting to public comments. Mr. Mittnight questioned if the addition is setback a little from the main dwelling. Mr. Lorden replied the addition is jagged, straight up with no overhangs; and he gave his Page 1 1 opinion the shake shingles will give it a little flavor. After a discussion, it was noted the existing addition was built around 1983. Mrs. Kathy Knowles from 103 West Street said the existing fence helps block out headlights from shining onto her property, and asked if the fence will be replaced? Mr. Lorden replied he is not proposing to replace the fence. Mrs. Knowles pointed out a piece of the fence that is ready to fall down and should be replaced. Mr. Lorden responded he has no issues with replacing the fence. Mrs. Sandy Hartzler from 119 West Street asked if the floor area of the garage will be filled- in and the property leveled off? Mr. Dick Knowles from 103 West Street said his basement has a lower ground and expressed concern water from 115 West Street will flood his basement. Mr. Blodgett replied the Commission does not have control over ground level. Mr. Knowles said he is not sure what to say or do as an abutter of this property. Mr. Blodgett replied the abutters are encouraged to attend the public hearing and bring forward ideas or concerns. He added the Commission has jurisdiction over the replacement of the fence. Mr. Lordan asked if the fence is repaired would he have to come back to the Commission for approval. Mr. Blodgett replied the maintenance of the fence will be discussed later. Ms. Adams said replacing a fence is different than maintenance of a fence. Mr. Blodgett commented a vinyl fence does not last. Mr. Blodgett spent time describing the drainage issue in the area of the town and said the Applicant might have to go to Conservation for approval. Mr. Blodgett closed the hearing to public comments. Mr. Blodgett said the Commission reviewed the plans at the last meeting and spent time making sure the proposal keeps with the same context that is existing. Mr. Knowles brought up his concern the plans were not posted on the town website, and said it would have been helpful to see the proposal before the public hearing. Mr. Blodgett said the process is important, and explained the plans are available at the town hall. Mr. Blodgett commented there is a shared driveway and hope there is no friction between neighbors. Mr. Blodgett appointed Mr. D'Orazio as a voting member. Motion made by Ms. Adams, seconded by Ms. Poehler, to close the public hearing for the property at 115 West Street. Vote: 5-0-0 Ms. Adams asked about the demolition of the garage and if it should be written as a condition in the Certificate. Mr. Blodgett replied if the Building Inspector deemed the garage unsafe, the garage could be demolished without the approval from the Commission or it could be added as a condition. Mr. Knowles asked for clarification on the procedure of a public hearing, and if the public should leave the meeting since the public hearing has been closed. Mr. Blodgett replied the public can leave but if the abutters want to hear the outcome they are welcome to stay. Mr. Mittnight asked the age of the original home. Ms. Adams replied the main dwelling was built around 1870, the dwelling was transposed in 1923 minus the addition. The Commission discussed the local history of property and Mr. Glen Hartlzer from 119 West Street affirmed the addition was later in 1980. Mr. Blodgett said the alteration to the original proposal and the demolition of the garage qualifies for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Page 1 2 Ms. Adams complimented the Applicant on his presentation at the previous meeting and his willingness to work with the Commission. Motion made by Mr. Maganzini, seconded by Ms. Adams, move the Historic District Commission approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the second-floor addition and demolition of existing garage and deck for Benjamin Builders at 115 West Street as discussed with the Applicant. Vote: 5-0-0 Mr. Blodgett informed the Applicant the Certificate will be available Monday morning at the town hall. The Applicant requested the Commission to discuss the replacement of the fence. Ms. Adams gave her opinion, because the Applicant has been thorough and helpful the application can be amended to add the fence repair - but stated the approval does not set precedent. After a discussion, the Commission agreed to allow this part of the fence, that is not seen from the roadway, to be replaced with 20' of wood. Mr. Blodgett will visit the property to confirm it is not seen from the roadway. Motion made by Mr. Blodgett, seconded by Ms. Poehler, move the Historic District Commission amend the application for the property at 115 West Street to allow a 6'or under wood fence to be replaced - approximately 20'long. Vote: 5-0-0 Mr. Lorden said he would like to start the project as soon as the building permit is issued. 132 West Street - Asphalt paving of driveway Mr. Blodgett passed out the application for the property at 132 West Street. He expressed concern the application was received at the town hall on September 12, 2019 and the Commission did not receive the application until September 19, 2019. Ms. Adams said it is very important the administration staff is aware the application needs to be forwarded as soon as it is received because the Commission is required to respond within so many days. Mr. Blodgett said it is important other members be available to respond to the emails and applications when he is out of town Mr. Blodgett said there is an existing gravel stone driveway and the Applicant applied to install an asphalt driveway. Mr. Gene Connelly owner of 132 West Street explained he became motivated to change his driveway when the sidewalks were installed, the asphalt will improve the appearance of his property. He said he is working with the Engineering Department for approval of the two existing curb cuts, one on West Street and one on Lewis Street. Ms. Adams agreed two curb cuts are not allowed. Mr. Connelly described the existing condition and said he would like to remove trees that are currently in the island on his property. Mr. Maganzini replied the Commission does not have purview over tree removal. Mr. Mittnight asked if the reason the Applicant is paving is to encompass the other side? Mr. Connelly replied he is paving what is currently there and the two curb cuts are existing. Mr. D'Orazio asked how many vehicles the driveway can hold? Mr. Connelly replied the driveway is a 4-vehicle driveway. Ms. Poehler said under section 7.3.9.1 of the Zoning Bylaw, paving is excluded. Ms. Adams read the bylaw. Mr. Maganzini informed the Applicant he lives on West Street and contacted the Commission when he was paving his driveway. Mr. Blodgett said the Commission has the right to know what is happening on a property. The driveway is ground level and is excluded. He said he wanted the Commission to review the proposal, and asked if paving of the driveway falls under maintenance. Ms. Adams said the more you pave more you lose the ambiance of the historic property and road, gravel is a more natural material. Page 13 Mr. Connelly said there is grass growing in between the gravel and he has to mow it. Mr. Blodgett said the driveway is on the addition side of the house, not the more historic side. Mr. Blodgett said he will have the Certificate available at the town hall on Monday. Mr. Maganzini gave his opinion, the trees on the corner soften the area, and asked if the Applicant is planning on removing the stonewall or any trees? Mr. Connelly said he likes the appearance of the stonewall and that area. Motion made by Mr. D'Orazio, seconded by Ms. Poehler, move the Historic District Commission approve a Certificate of Non-Applicability for the driveway paving at 132 West Street. Vote: 5-0-0 Mr. Blodgett explained the abutters will not be required to be notified. Mr. Connelly said he already addressed and stamped the envelopes, it would have been beneficial to know the abutters are not required to be notified. Minutes January 14, July 8. and September 9. 2019 Minutes The minutes were tabled until the next meeting. Other Mr. Blodgett said he has submitted the Certificate for 194 Summer Avenue for the shed. He informed the Commission the administration staff did not contact him to let him know the abutters list went out, and has let the staff know of the importance. Ms. Adams suggested a check off list for the administration staff to help organize the applications. Mr. Blodgett said all members email are under one address, this should help with making sure deadlines are covered. He explained the importance of responding to an application and having the application heard within a certain timeframe. A project would be able to proceed without any approval from the Commission if the timeframe is not met. Mr. Blodgett agreed he would contact the town hall and the members when he will not be available. He explained if an application is received, the Commission usually meets the 2nd Monday of the month. Mr. Blodgett said he has not received any updates on the properties at 116 West Street or 186 Summer Avenue. Motion made by Mr. D'Orazio seconded by Ms. Poehier, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM. Vote 5-0-0 Page 1 4