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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-18 Historic District Commission Minutes.M• t1f NfgO RECEIVED e Town of Reading TOWN CLERK ?e Meeting Minutes READING. MA. �� axcorwe`12K 2022 JUN 27 pN 8 41i Board - committee - commission - Council: Historic District Commission Date: 2022-05-18 Time: 7:0o PM Building: Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orazio, Chair; Amelia Devin -Freedman Associate Members: Virginia Adams and Carl Mittnight Members - Not Present: Greg Maganzini, Everett Blodgett and Ilene Bornstein Associate Member: Priscilla Poehler Others Present: Jameson Calitri, Jason Przybycien Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Chair D'Orazio called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mr. D'Orazio elevated Virginia Adams and Carl Mittnight to a voting member. 174 West Street. Window Replacement Mr. Jason Przybycien, owner of the property at 174 West Street, was at the meeting to present the proposal to replace the existing windows: • Replacement of 3 front upper level window with Harvey Majesty - double hung, black aluminum exterior, 6 over 1; • Replacement of 2 upper level side windows with Harvey Majesty - double hung, white aluminum exterior, 1 over 1; • Window type and brand is consistent with recent approved replacement of picture window and are the same ones used in historic buildings in Boston; • All windows being replaced have already been replaced with wood windows; and • The outside will match what is there now The Commission discussed the window replacement and agreed the proposal is consistent what was previously approved. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for replacement of 5 windows at 174 West Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adams and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. The Commission discussed if the window replacement would require a public hearing. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to wave the public hearing for the replacement of 5 windows at 174 West Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adams and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Ms. Devin -Freedman explained the process on notifying the abutters and said she will send the Certificate to Ms. Beatrice, administrative staff, by Monday. mmer Aven �P orxGo + Town of Reading Meeting Minutes e'p[OP Mr. D'Orazio said there has been no updates on 186 Summer Avenue since the last Executive Session. Letter to District Homeowners Ms. Devin -Freedman said the commission sent out a letter to the District homeowners last summer, but the commission never talked about if it was a recurring event. After a brief discussion, the commission agreed to table the discussion and tentatively agreed sending the letter out in October. Ms. Adams suggested adding information on mini -splits. Mr. D'Orazio suggested language to add to the letter. Possible Revision of Design Guidelines Ms. Devin -Freedman explained she put the topic "Possible Revision of Design Guidelines" due to a recent question Mr. Blodgett brought up regarding additions in relation to a historic home. She provided a document from the Nation Park Services on this topic. After a brief discussion, the commission agreed to table this discussion until more members are present. 115 West Street. Fence Installation Mr. Jameson Calitri, homeowner of 115 West Street, was present to provide information on the proposed fence installation: • Wooden fence enclosing the side yard (not front of the house); • 4 -feet in height to block headlights from road; • The proposed fence is compatible with the house and historic district; • The fence will not block the front of the house from the road - as the Guidelines state; • Similar style fences are installed along West Street within 2-3 houses of this property; • Three (3) properties the contracting company has installed fences at several homes along West Street Historic District; and • The proposed fence will keep his child safe Mr. Calitri continued and explained the detail and location of the fence. Ms. Adams opined the proposed fence is very visible from the road and would have a tunnel effect on the street scape. She suggested a plant hedge that will fill in along the street lines with a black metal fence behind the plantings. The fence will keep children and pets from going through the plantings. The commission vetted the request to install the fence along West Street - each member provided ideas on how to solve the concern brought forward by Ms. Adams. Mr. D'Orazio pointed out the fence is a picket fence and not a solid wooden fence. Ms. Adams asked the applicant if he would prefer to continue the discussion when more members were present at the meeting. Mr. Calitri remarked that the fence company has Installed similar fences on the street - but he is open to changes if the initial proposal is not acceptable. Mr. D'Orazlo made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness at 115 West Street to install a wooden open 4' cedar baluster fence along the West Street side, and 6' wooden scallop on the driveway side - behind the existing railroad ties; with vegetation to be planted soon after the West Street side fence is Installed. The motion was seconded by Ms. Devin -Freedman and approved with a 3-1-0 vote. Mr. D'Orazio asked the commission for their opinion if a public hearing should be required. Ms. Adams responded the fence is long and highly visible along West Street. The ote orxeb Q Town of Reading �= Meeting Minutes iia aoonv� commission reviewed other fences that have been approved to see if a public hearing was required. Mr. D'Orazlo made a motion to wave the public hearing for the fence installation at 115 West Street. The motion was seconded by Ms. Devin-Freedman and approved with a 3-1-0 vote. Ms. Adams welcomed Mr. Przybycien to Reading and asked how he knew the property was in the West Street District. Mr. Przybycien acknowledged that he was aware because of the welcome sign that is posted at the beginning of West Street. - Ms. Devin-Freedman Informed the owner of the process on how to notify the abutters and said she will send the Certificate to Ms. Beatrice, administrative staff, by Monday. Mr. D'Orazio asked the owner if there is any work being proposed in the future? Mr. Przybycien responded most work was completed before he bought the property, but pointed out the chimney is coming away from the house and in the future he might have to strap or take it down. Mr. D'Orazio reminded the owner that the commission will need to approve an installation of a mini-split. New Business Mr. D'Orazio reminded the commission that some members might have to re-apply to stay on as a member. It was suggested adding language to the homeowner's letter that the commission would embrace members who live in the district. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Devin-Freedman and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Document Reviewed at the Meeting: 0 174 West Street Application 0 115 West Street Application