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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-23 Historic District Commission Minutes� Orq�o Town of Reading fC£C'E'IVtU i Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK \a iE READING, MA. oxv°w f21a Board -Committee -Commission -Council: 2022 JUL 26 AM 8: 43 Historic District Commission Date: 2022-06-23 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Pleasant Street Center Location: Great Room Address: 49 Pleasant Street Session: Purpose: Meeting Version: Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orazio, Chair; Amelia Devin -Freedman, Everett Blodgett Associate Members: Virginia Adams and Carl Mittnight Members - Not Present: Greg Maganzini and Ilene Bornstein Associate Member: Priscilla Poehler Others Present: Francesca Callan, Shawn Callan, Kim Togo, Walter Beebe - Center 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. 215 West Street. Interior Renovations - Door and Window Replacement Francesca and Shawn Callan, the property owners were present along with Kim Toigo and Walter Beebe -Center from Essex Construction. Ms. Callan provided details about the proposed interior renovations: • The Floor plan design will be slightly reconfigured to create a better flow and give access to the yard; • Installing a new bathroom and renovating the kitchen; • Six windows will be replaced with Anderson wood/vinyl, double -hung, 6 -over -6 grille, Simulated Divided Lite (SDL), white exterior; • The back door will be replaced with new Jeld-Wen Fiberglass 1/2 view, 9 lite door; • Removing picture window on right side of house & replacing with Jeld-Wen Fiberglass 15 -lite patio swing door with two full -view, 5 -lite sidelites; • Replacing the front wooden entry door that is rotting and inoperable - style will be the same (Top View Four -Light, 4 panel w/two 1/2 view 3 -lite sidelites), but will be Jeld-Wen Fiberglass Smooth -Pro material; and • The front door will be painted blue, as is currently Mr. Blodgett said the Commission has purview on doors and windows that can be seen from the public view - even if there is a fence or tree blocking the view. Ms. Adams asked about the existing windows material. Ms. Callan responded the windows are wood but not original windows. Ms. Devin -Freedman asked if the front door is the original door? Mr. Beebe -Center responded the door is not original. Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Ms. Adams said the original dwelling was built in the 1800's and the addition was built in the 1970's. Ms. Devin -Freedman asked if the applicant would be willing to replace the wooden windows and doors with the same material? Ms. Callan responded that Anderson Windows does not have an only wooden window. The company does have Wood -Right which is a step-up material. Ms. Adams opined she prefers wood. Ms. Devin -Freedman agreed with Ms. Adams, and asked if the applicant explored other companies that supply wood windows and doors. Ms. Callan responded the front door faces all weather elements and does not have an overhang to protect it from damage, and there is no warranty on a wood door. She opined an overhang would change the look of the home. Mr. Beebe -Center said the door is from the 1980's. Ms. Devin -Freedman commented the wooden door has lasted about 40 years. Mr. D'Orazio asked if HVAC is being installed? Ms. Callan responded HVAC is not being installed. Ms. Adams said invasive materials should be in the new part of the dwelling. Mr. Callan replied the kitchen is in the addition. The Commission continued to assess the proposal and provided their opinion on the windows and door replacement. Ms. Adams commented that the Design Guidelines are not easy to interpret and the Commission has a difficult decision. She added the property history is Important to the Town of Reading. Ms. Devin -Freedman asked if the Commission is setting precedent approving the change in material? Mr. Blodgett replied not by replacing windows and door. Mr. D'Orazio responded the proposal will Improve the appearance of the property - and added each application is reviewed on a case by case. Mr. Mittnight opined the change in material is not a great option but given all the factors presented he has no issues. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness to replace six (6) windows and two (2) doors as presented in the Certificate Application for 215 West Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 4-1-0 vote (Ms. Adams opposed). The Commission agreed the proposal would require a public hearing. Mr. Blodgett made a motion to require a public hearing for the replacement of six (6) windows and two (2) doors at 215 West Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. D'Orazio and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. The Commission agreed to have the public hearing on July 19, 2022. Ms. Devin -Freedman explained the process on notifying the abutters about the public hearing. The Commission agreed since the majority of the project is interior, the building permit for the renovation will not be put on hold until after the public hearing. Ms. Adams thanked the applicant for the well-prepared presentation. Mr. D'Orazio left the meeting at 8:00 PM. Ms. Devin -Freedman took over the meeting Town of Reading = Meeting Minutes e �Ji:Iry�OPP°' 186 Summer Avenue Ms. Devin -Freedman said there are no new updates to share on the property at 186 Summer Avenue. Review of Design Guidelines Ms. Devin -Freedman brought forward a question that was brought up at a previous meeting regarding additions in relation to a historic home - and provided a document "New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings: Preservation Concerns". The Commission discussed briefly and agreed to table the discussion until more members are present. Ms. Devin -Freedman said the Bylaw cannot be changed but the Commission can add to the Design Guidelines. Ms. Adams commented the renovation/addition at the Reading Public Library is a good example of building an addition on a historic building. New Business Ms. Devin -Freedman informed the Commission that a resident in the district expressed interest in becoming a member and Mr. D'Orazio will be reaching out. Ms. Adams said the Town is not interviewing the incumbents per Jackie LaVerde in the Town Manager's Office. Review of Minutes: May 18, 2022 Ms. Devin -Freedman made a motion to accept the May 18, 2022 minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Adams and approved with a 4-0-0 vote. Mr. Blodgett made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Devin -Freedman and approved with a 4-0-0 vote.