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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-23 Historic District Commission Minutesa� iii g Town of Reading Meeting Minutes " (JR Board - Committee - Commission - Council: _ Historic District Commission Date: 2024-10-23 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Town Hall Location: Lower Level Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Purpose: Public Hearing Version: Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orazio, Chair; Amelia Devin -Freedman and Everett Blodgett Associate Member: Virginia Adams, Ann Ward Members not Present Greg Maganzini, Ilene Bornstein Others Present: 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 and Ms. Ward were elevated to a voting member. Potential Expansion of Historic Districts — Discuss Potential Letter to Neighborhoods The Commission discussed the potential expansion of Historic Districts: • The letter drafted by Ms. Devin -Freedman was reviewed and minor edits suggested by the Commission; • It was clarified, the letter is a preliminary first step to see if there is support before the formal outreach process; • The Commission discussed if the letter should be generic and go out to all residents to get their feedback. This outreach could be done by media and online - it was agreed, as of right now, the letter should be sent to the residents on the Woburn - Prescott Street corridor; • There are about 200 properties in the Woburn -Prescott Street Corridor who will receive the letter; and • The email received from Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Director, was reviewed, and the Commission agreed the maps and FAQ's pointed out is a good suggestion at a later time in the process Mr. D'Orazio will setup a meeting with Ms. Devin -Freedman and Mr. MacNichol to discuss mailing out the letter. The Commission agreed it was not necessary to wait until after Town Meeting to send letter. Ms. Devin -Freedman said the outcome of the meeting will be discussed at the next HDC meeting. Conflict of Interest Issues when Discussing Historic District Topics Mr. Blodgett said as a follow up to last meetings discussion on the potential Conflict of Interest while discussing the MBTA Communities Act or expanding the historic district: • He explained his home listed on the Historic Inventory creates this potential Conflict of Interest; • Spoke to Laura Gemme, Town Clerk, and she will speak to the Town Manager; Town of Reading Meeting Minutes • Town Meeting members are under a different law versus board/commission members; • Potential meeting in the future with legal staff; • He can abstain on a vote or recuse himself from discussion; • He called Mass Historical for advice and no one responded; • He can vote as a Town Meeting member but not as a Commission member; • He will remain neutral and not vote on anything either topic; and • He will follow up with the Commission once he receives a response from the Town. MBTA Communities Aet The Commission briefly discussed best possible options for residents to protect their homes - Deed Restrictions, Preservation Restriction and individual historic district sites around town. It was commented that the history about residents who lived in a home is just as important as the age of a home. The Commission agreed they will discuss the MBTA Communities Act after Town Meeting votes on the proposed maps. 186 Summer Avenue Updates Mr. D'Orazio brought forward that the owner of 186 Summer Avenue is proposing to install an EV charger in the new garage addition. The Commission agreed they do not need to approve the EV charger. Mr. D'Orazio said the owner is proposing to install mini -splits. He said he spoke to Jerry Lamb and he said: • There will be many mini -splits with up to 3 condensers; • The conduits are internal and will not be seen on the outside of the house; • The mini -splits are not being installed until the project is almost complete; • Shrubbery and/or a fence will be installed to conceal the condensers; and • A landscape plan will be presented to the Commission at a future meeting After a discussion, the Commission agreed to amend the Certificate. Ms. Devin -Freedman made a motion to amend the Certificate of Appropriateness #24-08 (A) for 186 Summer Avenue and add "Install 3 condensers at back left side of house and will shield with shrubbery and/or fence". The motion was seconded Mr. D'Orazio and approved with a 5-0-0. Community Outreach Updates/Email Inquiries from the Public There are no recent email inquiries received for the Historic District Commission. Mr. Blodgett said he was recently approached about the property at 186 Summer Avenue. He said one resident asked about the large addition in the rear, which he informed the resident that a large addition was removed to allow for the proposal. He added he also received positive feedback from residents about the renovation. Future Agenda Topics Mr. Blodgett requested having a discussion in the near future about proposed construction on a house that brings the property backwards in time. The addition on a house would match the original historic structure. Ms. Devin -Freedman reminded the Commission about an initial discussion with the owner at 195 West Street proposing to replace windows and have them match on all stages of her house - the addition windows will match the original historic house windows. Mr. Blodgett said he has been in a similar conversation about the windows at Parker Tavern. i5l kf� Town of Reading i Meeting Minutes Ms. Devin -Freedman said the Town held an event at the Library on Tuesday: Connected Reading: An Open House for our Community; and she asked the Reading Historical Commission to take a couple brochures for the Historic District Commission. She said if she receives any feedback from the event she will add to a future agenda. Mr. D'Orazio said the Town will be posting a list of vacancies to attract residents to become a member of a board/commission. The Commission discussed the open vacancy for an associate member and reviewed when the current members terms will expire. Minutes —August and September The Commission reviewed the August 21, 2024 minutes. Ms. Adams made a motion to approve August 21, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mr. D'Orazio and approved with a 5-0-0. The Commission reviewed the September 18, 2024 minutes. Mr. Blodgett made a motion to approve September 18, 2024 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. D'Orazio and approved with a 5-0-0. Mr. D'Orazio said the next HDC meeting will be held on November 20, 2024. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 PM. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 5-0-0 vote.