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Home My WebLink About2024-06-26 Historic District Commission Minutes ca m xe�o ��"°' TownofReading � rGtiVEg� � , � =' Meeting Minutes '�r nr� ! rLE `, �; ��` ' n , � ^ Board - Committee - Commission - Council: ' - �� %��' �� `y His[oric Distri[t Commission Date: 2024-06-26 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Town Hall Location: Berger Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: Public Hearing Version: Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orezio, Chair; Amelia DevimFreedman, Greg Maganzini and Everett Blodgett Associate Member: Virginia Adams, Ann Ward Members not Present Ilene Bornstein Others Present: Francesca Callan Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: The Chair, Pino D'Orazio called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM Ms. Adams was elevated to voting member. 215 West Street. Window Reolacement Ms. Francesca Callan, owner of 215 West Street, was present to discuss the proposal to replace the windows on her house. Mr. D'Orazio informed the Commission he held an earlier conversation with Ms. Callan regarding her concern with the rising cos[ of window replacements. Ms. Callan stated the following: . Proposing to replace 18 windows with double hung, all white vinyl and trim, 6 over 6; . Existing windows are 5 wood and 13 vinyl clad with wood interior and wood inserts that pop out; . The wood material cost for windows has doubled - since the Historic District Commission approved a few windows in 2022; • Front view windows are vinyl and bottom right are wood; . The original house is on the left and the right side is the addition; • Still gathering quotes from companies; . Concerned about safety and functionality; . The existing windows are not original; and . The proposed windows will uphold the characteristics of[he house Ms. Adams said she believes this is the first Certfficate of Hardship application. Mr. D'Orazio commented the applicant originally submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness and withdrew. Ms. Callan responded she wanted to hold off until she looked in[o all options of windows. Mc D'Orazio read section 73J.9 of the Bylaw. The Commission reviewed the proposal: • It was suggested for financial reasons to do se[tions at a time; • It was noted, the location of the house is visually important; . It was reiterated the windows are not original; 1 C��'�Nt�G ��° Town of Reading � �� -� Meeting Minutes � . Previous Certificate issued in 2022 by the Commission for siding will expire this year; and . Commission hesitant to approve a Certificate of Hardship - expressing concern residents could potentially use this reason without looking into all options After the discussion, the Commission agreed that a Certificate of Appropriateness would be the correct Certificate to issue and that the previous issued Certificate can be extended Por two years. The Commission requested the applicant withdraw the Certificate of Hardship. Mr. D'Orazio will notify Amanda Beatrice, admin staff that the online application should be changed to a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Commission discussed the language that should be on the Certificate. Ms. Devin- Freedman requested the brand of windows being installed. The applicant stated she is still deciding if the windows will be Harvey or Anderson. It was agreed that the applicant will need to forward which brand windows she will be installing bePore the Certificate is issued. Ms. Adams recommended grid inserts be installed on the outside to help break up the window glare. The Commission requested the applicant to come back to a meeting if the windows are not the same as what was discussed tonight. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness to replace 28 windows as discussed, The motion was seconded by Mr. 8/odgett and approved with a S-O-O vote The Commission agreed a public hearing is not necessary since the window replacement is not 25% of the fasade, and the existing windows are not original. The applicant is required to notify the abutters. M�. D'Orazio made a motion to waive the public hearing for the window rep/acemen[at 215 West Street. The motion was seconded by Mr. 8/odgett and approved wi[h a 5-0-0 vote. The Commission discussed the procedure on extending the Certificate issued in October 202L Ms. Devin-Freedman will reissue the Certificate eztending the date to 2026. Mr. B/odgett made a motion to extend Certificate of Approp�iateness #22-12 to October 11, 2026. The motion was seconded by Mr. D'O�azio and app�oved with a 5-0-0 vote. Discussion Reaardina Increased Cost of Housina Materials The Commission discussed the increased cost of housing materials and how it affects the materials [he applicants are proposing to use on their homes. Mr. D'Orazio asked if each application should be looked at case by case - or if language should be added to the Guidelines to let the applicants know in advance what materials the Commission would like to be used. Ms. Adams said requesting a certain material would be difficult due to msts Fluctuation. Mr. D'Orazio said he wiil keep this item as a ��launch item" to see if it escalates. MBTA Communities Act Mr. D'Orazio said the nex[ MBTA Communities Act public meeting is on July 31�C The Commission discussed extending the Summer Avenue Historic District down Wabum 5[reet. Ms. Ward informed the Commission said residents on Wobum Street and Bancroft Avenue 2 o�. �qtioH �°` Town of Reading ^�. � •' Meeting Minutes ��.°', let her�know that they would be interested in creating a Historic District in their area of town. The Commission said if the neighbors are interested, there are documents on the town website that will guide them. Ms. Devin-Freedman said [he Reading Historical Commission allows homes to be placed on the Historical List - house by house by filing a Form B. She added that the homeowner can look into an individual Preservation Restriction Agreement (PRA) to protect the home. Ms. Ward wmmented that [hat her neighbors are concemed with developers buying properties and building a 6-unit residential building. Mr. Blodgett said he has concems with the State saying "affordability" units. Mr. Maganzini commented that there needs to be stronger protection in the historic districts. Ms. Adams reminded the Commission that a house does not have to be a fancy, elegant house to be considered "historic". The Commission discussed eztending [he Summer Avenue Historic DisGict to Woburn and Prescott StreeL It was agreed the first step is to engage the property owners and send a letter [o let them know their options on how to pro[e[t [heir home. Discussion on the Reversion of Present-Dav Houses Back to their Oriainal Desian Mr. Blodgett pointed out that there is no language in the Bylaw to cover a request from an applicant to go back to the original look of a house. Mr. D'Orazio suggested adding language to the Design Guidelines rather than the bylaw. Ms. Adams said The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation provides direction on going backwards a period of time on a house. Mr. Blodgett asked the Commission if they would want a house to go back to the original if they had the option. Mr. D'Orazio said if a member would like to draR language to be added to the Design Guidelines it can be discussed at a future meeting. Future Aqentla Tooics The Commission agreed to keep MBTA Communities on the agenda. Minutes - February 21, February 28. March 20, Mav 15 and lune 5 2024 The Commission reviewed the dreft minutes excluding March 20, 2024. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to approve February 21, 2024, February 28, 2024, May I5, 1024 and June 5, 2024 as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Devin- Freedman and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to adjou�n the meeting at 8:40 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 5-0-0 vote. 3