Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-20 Historic District Commission MinutesTown of Reading 0 : r� 3 Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historic District Commission Date: 2024-11-20 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Town Hall Location: Town Hall Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Purpose: Public Hearing Version: Final Attendees: Members: Pino D'Orazio, Chair; Amelia Devin -Freedman and Everett Blodgett, Ilene Bornstein Associate Member: Virginia Adams, Ann Ward Members not present Greg Maganzlni Others Present: Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: The Chair, Pino D'Orazlo, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mr. D'Orazio elevated Ms. Adams to a voting member. 95 Howard Street-Roofino Application Mr. D'Orazio informed the Commission, due to a previous commitment Kevin Hays, the owner of 95 Howard Street, will not be present to discuss the proposed roof replacement. Mr. D'Orazio provided a brief overview of the project: • Complete reroof; • Proposed color is charcoal - it appears the existing is also this color; • Not altering roof, replacing shingle to shingle; and • Roof being replaced with GAF Timberline HDZ shingles Mr. Blodgett asked if the roof replacement Is a 3 -tab or architectural shingle. It was noted that roofing companies usually replace with an architectural shingle. The Commission discussed if they would need to approve an application If it Is for maintenance on a roof. It was commented that If the existing roof is a 3 -tab and architectural is proposed that "In-kind" should be noted on the Certificate. Mr. Blodgett made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for roof maintenance at 95 Howard Street. The motion was seconded Mr. D'Orazio and approved with a 5-0-0. After a discussion, the Commission agreed abutters would not need to be notified of the roof maintenance. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion that abutter notification is not required of the roof maintenance at 95 Howard Street. The motion was seconded Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 5-0-0. o'� . b Town of Reading i0 �r Meeting Minutes Mr. D'Orazlo will contact the owner to let him know that the Commission approved the Certificate. Potential Expansion of Historic Districts — Discuss Potential L Iter to Neighborhoods Mr. D'Orazio started the discussion on the potential expansion of historic districts and potential letter to neighborhoods. Ms. Devin -Freedman Informed the Commission she updated the letter based on feedback at the last meeting. Mr. D'Orazlo said he forwarded the letter to Andrew MacNichol, Community Development Director, to review but has not received a response. Ms. Adams asked if the letter is still needed since November Town Meeting approved the changes to the Town's Zoning Bylaw to comply with the MBTA Communities to Include areas outside of Prescott and Woburn Street. After a discussion, the Commission agreed sending the letter can be tabled; however, they would like to explore other options for property owners on how to preserve their older, historic house. Ms. Devin -Freedman suggested a workshop at the library to talk about options with owners. For Instance, Preservation Restrictions and to create their own individual historic. Mr. Blodgett opined that there Is no flexibility for an owner If there Is a Preservation Restriction on their home, and stated the Commission will be responsible if there is an individual historic district. Mr. Blodgett asked about the process when the original Historic District was created on West Street. He added that the Commission should have more information about the process before creating a new district that would affect a whole street. Ms. Devin -Freedman said she will contact the City of Somerville to see their process of creating an individual historic district consisting of an Individual dwelling. Ms. Devin -Freedman will extend permissions to the Commission so they can view properties that have a Preservation Restriction Agreement on the RHC's Google Drive. Ms. Bornstein asked how the new State Accessory Dwelling Unit Law will impact the historic properties. Ms. Adams responded she doesn't foresee an Issue; the Commission will review the applications if changes are made that are seen from the roadway. Conflict of Interest Issues when Discussina Historic District Tonics Mr. Blodgett stated he has not yet heard a response from Laura Gemme, Town Clerk, regarding a meeting with the Town Manager regarding conflict -of -Interest issues when discussing historic district topics as a member of the Commission. Once he does hear from the town, he will let the Commission know the outcome. META Communities Act Mr. D'Orazio stated at November Town Meeting the least impact option was approved. He added things could change after Town of Milton vs State of MA court case is decided. Town of Reading ., Meeting Minutes 186 Summer Avenue Updates Ms. Adams said she went by 186 Summer Avenue and the project is moving along. She opined a different color paint around the windows would soften the visual impact on the large white house. Mr. Blodgett said he has received positive reviews about the appearance of the home. When he was asked about the large addition approved, he said he responded that a large addition was approved to be demolished. The Commission agreed they would like to walk the property once the project is complete. Community Outreach Updates/Email Inouiries from the Public There are no recent email inquiries received for the Historic District Commission. Future Agenda Topics Mr. D'Orazio said he will keep the existing agenda items on the next agenda. Mr. Blodgett brought up having a future discussion about proposed construction on a house that brings the property backwards in time. For instance, the addition on a house would match the original historic structure. Ms. Devin -Freedman provided two examples: • The proposed addition on the Pleasant Street Center showed bays on the plan that matched the historic building bays; and • The Foster Emerson House on Grove Street is proposing to change the windows in the accessory dwelling unit and garage, to be unlfonn with the original historic house. The Commission agreed an addition on a historic house should not be designed to be uniform with the existing building. Ms. Adams responded the Secretary of Interior Standards & Guidelines is a good reference to use. Ms. Ward informed the Commission that are a few existing two-family dwellings around her neighborhood that are being converted Into a single-family dwelling. Ms. Adams said the Zoning Bylaw allows houses built before 1942 with 8 original rooms to be converted to a two-family with approval from the town. Those houses could have been previously converted to a two-family under this zoning bylaw. Review Minutes - October The Commission reviewed the October 24, 2024 minutes. Ms. Adams made a motion to approve October 24, 2024, as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blodgett and approved with a 5-0-0. Mr. D'Orazio said the vacancy position for the HDC has been posted. Due to the holidays and a potential quorum concern, the Commission agreed the next meeting will be held in January. Mr. D'Orazlo will let Ms. Beatrice, admin staff, know a meeting room is not needed for December. Mr. D'Orazio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7.50 PM. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bornstein and approved with a 5-0-0 vote.