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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-15 Historic District Commission Minutes� Ork r Town of Reading RECEIVED e; Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK �' READING, MA, XrCOFCOF' r- Board - committee - commission - council: 1022 APR 13 AN 10: 16 Historic District Commission Date: 2022-03-15 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orazio, Chair; Amelia Devin -Freedman, Vice Chair; Everett Blodgett; Associate Member: Virginia Adams Members - Not Present: Greg Maganzini and Ilene Bornstein Associate Members: Carl Midnight and Priscilla Poehler Others Present: Lauren Howland, Beth and Peter Denmark, Paul Vittozzi, Mark Tango and Eden Albanese Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Chair D'Orazio called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Mr. D'Orazio said Greg Maganzini is not in attendance and elevated Virginia Adams to a voting member. 265 West Street. Addition Mr. D'Orazio informed the commission that he had a discussion with the applicant and let them know a public hearing would be required for an addition. Ms. Lauren Howland, owner of the property, was present to discuss the project: • The home is a historic home that was built by her great -great grandfather; • The commission approved the existing garage in 2013; • The proposal is to attach the existing garage to the main dwelling to allow a family room, bathroom and mudroom with a master bedroom and bathroom above; • The upstairs of the existing dwelling will be reconfigured; • Approximately 1000sf +/- will be added; • The proposal will have the same windows and roof as the existing dwelling - all uniform; • The siding is blue gray slate color; • Currently choosing a contractor; and • Proposal is to break ground this summer Ms. Devin -Freedman asked if the existing windows were vinyl? Ms. Howland responded that the windows will match the existing vinyl windows that were replaced before she bought the property. Ms. Adams noted that historic preservation requests new utilities to be placed in the new construction so there is no great impact on the original historic structure. Mr. D'Orazio asked about the placement of the HVAC unit. Ms. Howland explained the location of the unit and said it will be concealed by a fence in the backyard. Mr. Blodgett said the commission has jurisdiction over a fence. Ms. Howland apologized and replied she Town of Reading �= Meeting Minutes •awnv �� assumed it was already approved - and wrote it on the application. Mr. D'Orazio asked if the HVAC was listed on the application. Ms. Howland added HVAC to the application and said the conduits will not be seen from the roadway. Ms. Adams said the commission does not encourage vinyl windows in the Historic District. Mr. Blodgett said for consistency the commission allows similar windows in the addition that are in the existing structure. Mr. D'Orazio opined cedar siding is a great plus. Mr. D'Orazio asked about landscaping and if a shed or fence will be installed? Ms. Howland replied a shed will not be installed and the only fence is the one to conceal the HVAC unit. Ms. Adams and Mr. Blodgett asked if the setbacks will be an issue once the garage is connected to the existing dwelling. Ms. Howland replied the setbacks will not be a problem, the setback was taken Into consideration when the garage was built. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the addition to 265 West Street -including moving the fence and with assumption the HVAC won't be visible from the roadway. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adams and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Mr. D'Orazio added that if the HVAC is visible the applicant will have to come back to the commission for approval. The applicant was informed of the process on notifying the abutters. After a discussion, it was agreed the public hearing can be scheduled on April 12, 2022. Minutes- 11/10/2021. Joint Meeting: 11/22/2021. 01/06/2022. 02/03/2022 and 02/28/2022 Ms. Devin -Freedman made a motion to approve the following minutes as amended. 11/10/2021, 11/22/2021, 01/06/2022, 02/03/2022 and 02/28/2022 The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. 167 Summer Avenue. Kitchen Renovation Mr. Paul Vittozzi from Bancroft Construction was present to review the application: • Kitchen renovation with a new kitchen nook/sitting area; • Take out casement windows and install double hung windows - to match the existing windows; • Install a mini -split system next to the condenser on the house; • Remove the existing French doors and install a slider; • Install widows on the side of the slider that matches the windows above; and • Replacement windows will be vinyl to match existing Ms. Adams asked if the muntins are on the exterior of the replacement windows or are built in? Mr. Vittozzi responded built in. Ms. Adams said muntins are more appropriate for the age of the dwelling. Mr. Vittozzi replied the replacement windows will match existing windows. Ms. Devin -Freedman asked about the location of the existing condenser. Mr. Vittozzi said the condenser is screened by a bush and will plant additional bushes if needed. H rn Town of Reading .e� Meeting Minutes IXI00. Ms. Adams asked about the conduit on the exterior of the dwelling. Mr. Vittozzi replied he hasn't yet addressed the conduit with the HVAC contractor. Mr. D'Orazio said the conduit should be white to match the color of the dwelling. Mr. Vittozzi said the unit will go up and in and the conduit will not snake the house. He described the location of the condenser, mini -split and large Rhododendron bush. Ms. Adams commented that new mini -split guidelines have recently been added, and the commission is very sensitive to new technology on the impact to historic homes. Mr. Blodgett said the conduit is required to match the house. Mr. D'Orazio said the French doors are not seen from the roadway Ms. Adams requested a stipulation be added to the approval, if the mini -split conduit goes above the first floor the applicant will have to come back for approval. She asked what room the mini -split will be used in? Mr. Vittozzi replied the proposal is to remove a low - bearing wall to open up the kitchen. Mr. Blodgett made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 167 Summer Avenue, as discussed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Devin -Freedman and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Mr. D'Orazio said he will add the stipulation the conduits are required to match the color of the house and serve the first floor, and the unit to be camouflaged. Ms. Devin -Freedman added the windows should match the existing window material and style. After a discussion, the commission agreed a public hearing is not necessary. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to waive the public hearing for 167 Summer Avenue. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adams and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. The applicant was informed of the process on notifying the abutters of the approval. 228 West Street. Fence Installation and Stair Replacement Mark Tango from Tango Home Renovations & Plumbing Company was present to discuss the proposal: • Rebuild a small side porch and stairs with composite decking and railings; and • Install a 4'-10" vinyl PVC fence to hide the trash barrels Ms. Devin -Freedman asked for clarity on the material of the fence - the plan showed red cedar. Mr. Tango replied the applicant prefers vinyl. Ms. Devin -Freedman said the commission favors wood and not plastic. Ms. Adams said the commission does not like artificial material in the historic district. Mr. Tango explained the applicant is trying to beautify the area and hide the rubbish barrels and children's toys. Mr. D'Orazio responded that the commission has to follow the guidelines, it is difficult to approve not wood decks and fences. He opined the fence should be cedar - the commission has never approved a vinyl fence. The commission discussed the railing and stair replacement. Mr. Tango opined the composite decking, stairs and vinyl fence will overall be a better flow and better curb appeal. Ms. Adams responded the house is located in a historic district. Ms. Eden Albanese, the owner of the property, said the stairs are dangerous and need to be replaced and the fence will help clean up the front yard. The commission, contractor and owner continued to evaluate the material on the fence, stair and railings. rq Town of Reading o Meeting Minutes Ms. Adams opined she had no problem with the composite material on the deck and stairs because of the location and size. Ms. Adams informed the applicant that a few members are missing and she could continue the meeting if she wanted time to consider the application. Ms. Devin-Freedman asked if the vote should be two separate motions. She said she cannot approve composite material in the district. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the installation of a wood fence at 228 West Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adams and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the repair of the existing wood stairs and railings with composite material at 228 West Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 3-1-0 vote. After a discussion, the commission agreed a public hearing will not be necessary. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to wave the public hearing for the stair/railing replacement and fence installation at 228 West Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. The applicant was informed of the process on notifying the abutters of the approval. Other Business 168 West Street, Mechanical Application - since the details of the application were not available for the commission to review it was agreed that Mr. D'Orazio will contact Mr. Maganzini for further detail on the unit and to make sure the unit and/or conduits are not seen from the roadway. The commission briefly discussed the outstanding applications for the Unitarian Universalist Church, 239 Woburn Street - and it was noted the applicant has not contacted the commission to attend another meeting. Mr. D'Orazio reminded the commission that there is a joint meeting with the Reading Historical Commission tomorrow night. Adiournment Ms. Adams made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. D'Orazio and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Documents Reviewed at the Meeting: 0 265 West Street Application 0 167 Summer Avenue Application 0 228 West Street Application