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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-09 Historic District Commission Minutes *I, Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWNCLERK READING, MA. Rk Board - Committee - Commission - council: 2021 JUL 26 AM 9: 00 Historic District Commission Date: 2021-06-09 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Remote Meeting - Zoom Address: Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orazio, Chair; Amelia Devin-Freedman, Vice Chair; Everett Blodgett, Virginia Adams, Greg Maganzini, Carl Mittnight Members - Not Present: Ilene Bornstein, Priscilla Poehler Others Present: Julie Mercier, Community Development Director, Alex Durso, Robert Corwin Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julie Mercier Topics of Discussion: MEETING HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM Chair D'Orazio called to order at 7:OOPM and went through the Zoom protocols. He moved Ms. Adams up to full voting member. 146 West Street Alex Durso was present on behalf of the application. Mr. Durso explained that he will be installing 1 condenser unit and related conduits. Mr. D'Orazio shared a street view of the house. Ms. Adams asked if any work has begun. She mentioned that she saw a condenser unit and conduit, which is dismaying. Mr. Durso confirmed that he has started some work, but that the Building Division said he only needs a Certificate in order to pull the electrical permit, and that he doesn't need a permit for ductless work. Ms. Devin Freedman clarified where the condensers and conduit will be located. Mr. Durso said for the 2nd floor it would be on the side and pretty far back, running down the side and behind the bushes to the condenser which will be behind the house and under the deck. Ms. Adams said she saw a large electrical box about 1 foot off the ground adjacent to the side wall of the house, and partially covered by shrubs. Mr. Durso said it could be his cable box. Ms. Mercier screen shared a photo taken by Ms. Adams and the Commission discussed the conduits and where they will run to. Mr. Blodgett noted that there are a lot of things affixed to the house. He noted that the casing for the wires that's on the side of the house is visible. 1 ,HN r Town of Reading Meeting Minutes y Mr. D'Orazio noted that mini-splits are becoming more prevalent and that this application is one of the first the HDC has seen. Mr. Durso noted that both his neighbors have mini-splits on the sides of their homes, and they are also in the District. He commented that he did not anticipate any problems. Mr. Blodgett commented that mini-splits cannot just be located anywhere, they need to be put In appropriate locations so they function properly. Mr. Maganzini asked about the fence that has been referenced. Mr. Durso explained that it is existing. Ms. Adams opined that in view of the fact that the work has already taken place, they not grant the Certificate for a period of 3-4 months until they are able to get their guidelines in place. She said that at this time she could not vote to support it. Mr. Blodgett asked how old the house is. Mr. Durso said it was built in the 1940's. Mr. Blodgett confirmed that it is over 70 years old, and so the Commission does have jurisdiction. Mr. D'Orazio opined that Ms. Adams suggested approach seems harsh, especially given that his neighbors did not apply for theirs, and that there may have been a miscommunication with the Building Division. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to have a vote on the Certificate of Appropriateness for a mini- split and associated conduit at 146 West Street. Mr. Blodgett seconded. EV, ADF, GM, PO in favor. VA opposed. Motion carries. Ms. Devin Freedman started discussion of potential conditions. She noted that the fact that the condensers are behind the house is good. She asked if they can require the Applicant to paint the conduit the same color as the house. Mr. Durso agreed that the conduit will be white to match the house, which is what he wants. Ms. Devin Freedman phrased it as"the Applicant agrees to camouflage the conduits" since the Commission doesn't technically have jurisdiction over color. Mr. Durso said that makes it sounds like he has to do something extra, but he agreed to keep the house and conduit the same color. Mr. D'Orazio asked if any members have thoughts on whether to have a public hearing. Mr. Blodgett opined that no hearing is needed because the conduit is on the side. Mr. D'Orazio agreed. Mr. D'Orazio moved to waive the public hearing. Mr. Maganzini seconded. EV, ADF, GM, PO in favor of waiving public hearing. VA abstained. Mr. D'Orazio explained the abutter notification process, and told the Applicant to coordinate with Amanda Beatrice at Town Hall. Ms. Devin Freedman will send the letter to Amanda next week for the mailing. Abutters have 10 calendar days to protest the application; if they do not protest then the Certificate will be issued. Mr. Blodgett suggested that Mr. Durso have his contractor hold off on further work. 2 v�u orn�o Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 9q(OPP�� 186 Summer Avenue - Ongoing Discussion Mr. D'Orazio summarized that conversations with Town Counsel have been happening through Ms. Mercier, and that Town Counsel will provide a letter in early July outlining the Commission's options for enforcing the Preservation Restriction Agreement. Ms. Devin Freedman noted that the timeline for expiration of the Certificate has been extended to September 2022, and that the letter to Robert Littleton has been edited and will be reviewed at the Historical Commission meeting next week. She asked for feedback on it. Ms. Adams stated her appreciation for everyone's efforts on the letter and her gratitude that Town Counsel has been able to get involved. Ms. Devin Freedman asked for clarification about the process with Town Counsel. Ms. Mercier clarified that Town Counsel will prepare a letter outlining enforcement options under the Preservation Restriction Agreement, and then a small meeting of Town Counsel, staff and Chairs of each Commission can be convened to go over it, before the meeting with Robert Littleton. Mr. Corwin, who lives across the street from 186 Summer Avenue, asked about the fence and whether it has come up in any conversations with Town Counsel. It has been up for 5 years and should not be considered a temporary fence. He mentioned that he emailed the Town and got no response. Ms. Mercier asked him to re-send the email directly to her and said she would look into it. Mr. D'Orazio commented that the Commission is getting close to taking action, which is good news for the neighbors. Mr. Corwin agreed. Ms. Devin Freedman stated that the letter to Robert Littleton needs to be reviewed by the Historical Commission before it can be sent. New Technologv Policy Mr. D'Orazio noted that the polity Ms. Adams is bringing forward is very timely, especially as mini-splits and external HVAC equipment are cropping up everywhere. Ms. Devin Freedman asked if they should be reaching out to properties that have installed it without permission from the Commission. Mr. Blodgett noted that he has done this in the past, but that it's tricky because some members live in the neighborhood, and because the Commission members do not have rights to go onto private properties. Mr. Blodgett stated that the biggest issue is with fences, because most fences do not require a permit from the Town, and so they do not officially trigger HDC review, though an HDC Certificate is needed. Mr. D'Orazio noted that a lot of people have no idea they need to seek permission. Ms. Devin Freedman suggested a letter be sent that strikes the right tone, and that reminds owners that certain work visible from the public way requires Commission approval. She said she would draft a letter for discussion at the next meeting. Mr. Blodgett mentioned that the Commission put together a tri-fold a couple of years ago and hand delivered it. Mr. Maganzini suggested they get a list of new homeowners in the District and send out the tri- fold and bylaws. Ms. Adams noted that the Public Services Department has always helped with mailings and is hopeful that will continue. Ms. Mercier commented that an annual mailing makes sense and that the Town can cover the cost of the mailing. 3 t R Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes '4,,us eed Ms. Adams asked if people are interested in pursuing the New Technology Policy. The members agreed to go ahead with it. Mr. D'Orazio suggested they go through the edits tonight. Ms. Mercier screen shared the policy and the Commission made edits. New Business Mr. Blodgett noted that he got a letter from the owners of the Wisteria House noting that they have a small piece of rotten gutter. Their carpenter suggested they use a tech wood composite to replace it. He suggested that they make an application through the Town. The Commission discussed it. Minutes Minutes of 4/21/21 and 5/13/21 were reviewed and amended. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion that the minutes of 4/21/21 and 5/13/21 be approved as amended. Mr. Maganzini seconded. EB, ADF, GM, VA & PO in favor. Adiournment Ms. Devin Freedman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. D'Orazio and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Documents Reviewed at the Meeting: 0 145 West Street Application o Draft Policy on New Technology 4