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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-20 Historic District Commission Minutes�H OrR� Town of Reading �e Meeting Minutes"1ht I JEu �� ARK A. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: [C6 4 JAN 18 AM 9. Historic District Commission 44 Date: 2023-12-20 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 and Ilene Bornstein, Everett Blodgett Associate Members: Virginia Adams, Ann Ward Members not Present —, Greg Maganzini, Associate Member Others Present: Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Director and Chris DiMattei Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: The Chair, Pino D'Orazio called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Mr. Chris DiMattei, owner of 172 High Street, introduced himself and said he attended the META Communities Law Public Forum on Monday night and is interested on how the Historic District Commission is responding to the new State META zoning. MBTA Communities Law Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Director, said he would like feedback from the META Communities Law Public Forum that was held on Monday night, and to understand what are the local district protections. He asked the Commission if there are any questions on the email that Mary Benedetto sent to the members. The Commission expressed their concern with the proposed META zoning area that will allow multi -family units to be built in a single-family district. The Commission, Mr. MacNichol and Mr. DlMattei discussed the following: • The Historic District Commission has purview over the exterior of the house that is viewed from a public way; • Concern that a builder could potentially buy a single-family dwelling and build a 2 to 3 -unit residential building; • Creating a new historic district on Woburn Street or extend the Summer Avenue Historic District to protect the historic homes; • Town Meeting will need to approve a new or expanded Historic District(s); • Suggested excluding the Woburn Street homes and expanding the proposed META zoning area out to other areas of the town; • Extending the 6 -month demolition delay requirement on Historic homes; • Individual houses can be their own individual historic district; • Zoning does not regulate Historic Districts; • Deed Restrictions be added to the historic homes; OrR Town of Reading 15 _ Meeting Minutes „0�•J .INCOPfO S • Suggested removing the words "by-right" to build from the proposed MBTA zoning; • The complex process filling out "Form B" to update the historic inventory register to include all houses that have architectural or historical significance; • Will homeowners be Interested/motivated to help with the "Form B" topreventmulti- family units being built; • Property owners can request their house to be on the historic register; • Tax incentives to keep exterior of house and be able to reconfigure the interior to a multi-unit; • Create opportunities to preserve the house and keep in use; • Create a design/pattern book so applicants are aware upfront on what the town wants to see on the exterior of a home; • A letter to owners in the district to inform them of the process on adding a Deed Restriction to their property; • A concern regarding Parker Tavern property being in the proposed MBTA zoning - Mr. MacNichol pointed out the building is exempt because it falls under an education museum; • The MBTA zoning will provide housing stock to all; • Town staff is available to support the Commission; and • Update the Historical and Historic District website with a memo/guideline to make the public aware what is available to them. After the discussion, Mr. D'Orazio said he will keep the MBTA Communities Law on the January 2024 Agenda. The Commission thanked Mr. MacNichol for attending the meeting. Guidelines Discussion - Additions to historic structures/use of artificial materials/around level changes/mini-splits The Commission discussed the proposed language to be added to the HDC Design Guidelines and made changes: • The language should allow discretion during the review on the proposed project; • Applicant should be prepared for the meeting to discuss the proposal and material in- depth; and • The Commission should review ground-level alterations Ms. Devin-Freedman will update the proposed language. Mr. D'Orazio said the Commission can vote at the January 2024 meeting and the Public Hearing will be scheduled in February. 186 Summer Avenue Mr. D'Orazio said the property is being considered by a private entity. Former Member(s) acknowledgment Mr. D'Orazio said he will send the letters to the former members Ms. Poehler and Mr. Mittnight acknowledging their time on the Commission. Future Agenda Items Mr. D'Orazio said future items: MBTA Communities Law and potentially creating a Woburn Street Historic District Mr. D'Orazio informed the Commission the resident who was interested in creating a Woburn Street Historic District is in the process of selling the house. Mr. DiMattei said he will follow up with the town to become an associate member on the Historic District Commission. He added he is interested in creating a District in his area of town. Town of Reading = Meeting Minutes '6jTINC0TQ�T Review Meeting Minutes from November 2023 and Executive Session Minutes The Commission reviewed the minutes from November 2023 and made corrections. The Commission discussed the application review process and agreed they should review any application to determine if a Certificate is required. Ms. Devin-Freedman made a motion to approve the minutes of November 15, 2023 as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bornstein with a 4-0-0 roll call vote. The Executive Session meeting minutes were not reviewed. Ms. Devin-Freedman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. D'Orazio and approved with a 4-0-0 roll call vote.