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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-20 Historical Commission Minutesor � o, Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 6JP'LVCOpppPP , Board - Committee - Commission - Council: O % 5' Historical Commission Date: 2024-03-20 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams (VA), Pamela Adrian (PA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Sarah Brukilacchio (SB), Samantha Couture (SC), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK) HDC Members Everett Blodgett (EB), VA, ADF, and PD; Ann Ward (AW) participated by phone per the Mullin rule. Members - Not Present: HDC Members Ilene Borstein and Greg Maganzini Others Present: Jerry Lamb (JL), 186 Summer Ave. Frank Coccoluto, 195 Summer Ave. David Godwin, 189 Summer Ave. Dennis Carr, 61 Temple St. Robert Corwin, 199 Summer Ave. Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: PD called the meeting to order at 7:03PM. PD elevated VA to voting member for HDC for the meeting. Joint Meeting with Historic District Commission (HDCJ: 186 Summer Ave Public Hearing - proposed demolition of back part of the house The two decisions on the table are the Demolition Delay Bylaw (RHC) and Certificate of Appropriateness (HDC). PD read the Public Notice, which had been posted at Town Hall and in the Chronicle, sent to Abutters, and Introduced the RHC Demolition Delay Bylaw. JL made the Owner Applicant Presentation of 186 Summer Ave., which included a PowerPoint presentation and updated architectural drawings dated 3/19/24 from Applied Form + Space (AF+S) Architects in Andover, MA. The drawings depicted an updated footprint of the property. There were questions about the structural support of the addition. The foundation in the main historic house is fieldstone. It is in excellent condition and was recently repointed. The addition has a separate foundation and basement. There are Lally columns in the historic house basement that are jacked up with steel plates. The basement of the addition varies Page 1 1 from standing height to crawl space height. JL noted that there is a structural engineer on the project. VA presented copies of maps that showed the property's evolution: 1854 - structure has cross -gables; 1889 Roberts is now owner and there is an extension on the house and a barn; 1906 Roberts still owner but the side of the house does not have a cross -gable. There was discussion that the maps do not make it clear as to which is the original structure, and which is the addition. Those who have visited the property indicated that the foundation for the addition is clearly different; the wood is different; the siding and the windows were changed in the addition in the 1970s. PD read a statement about the Historical and Architectural Significance of the property and Kemp's activity in Reading as a shoe manufacturer. The Italianate house was built in 1853. The Hearing was opened to Public Comment, and it was noted that no feedback had been received from abutters. Neighbors in attendance all expressed excitement about the plans for 186 Summer Ave. and look forward to seeing the finished project. All were grateful to JL for his efforts and wished him the best of luck with the renovation. The Hearing was closed to Public Comment and opened to questions from the commissions. EB mentioned that it is important to pay attention to what replaces the demolished addition. RHC: PD moves that the information presented is sufficient for demolition decision and to close the public hearing; JEB second; roll call vote 5-0. HDC: PD move that the application involves architectural features subject to HDC review; seconded by EB, roll call vote 5-0. The Public Hearing closed at 7:51PM. JEB made the following motion; "Where the applicant's proposal here is to demolish only the rear addition portion as recorded in applicant's Demolition Application dated 2/27/24 filed as a part of his Application for a Demolition Delay Hearing, and in consideration of the overall plans dated 3/19/24 which preserve the historically significant portion; Move that the loss of the rear addition only, at 186 Summer Avenue does not constitute a complete demolition within the meaning of the bylaw and would NOT be detrimental to the Town under the purposes of section 7.2.1 of this bylaw and as such, no Demolition Delay under this bylaw shall be imposed." SC seconded the motion; and roll call vote 5-0. Motion to adjourn the RHC meeting at 7:57PM made by JEB, seconded by PD, and roll call vote 5-0. Next Meeting: April 10, 2024, 6:30PM Conference Room Page 12