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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-08 Historical Commission Minutes'RECEIVED Town of Reading TOWN CLERK READING, MA. r;' Meeting Minutes QJ" F- 2025 MAR 24 AM 11: 25 40 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historical Commission Date: 2025-01-08 Time: 6:30 PM Building: Reading Public Library Location: Community Room Address: 64 Middlesex Avenue Session: Open Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Virginia Adams (VA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Sarah Brukllacchio (SB), Samantha Couture (SC), Pino D'Orazlo (PD), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), and Christine Keller (CK) Members - Not Present: Others Present: Amanda Beatrice (AB), Administrative Specialist Andrew MacNlchol (AMN), Community Development Director Carlo Bacci Erin Baccl Flubert Douyon SIIOIIa Douyon Maria Dubrowski Chad Farris Janis Feagley WIII Finch Tara Gregory, by Zoom Kim Honetschalger Mary Howard John Jamma Mark Lundquist Raymond Porter Phil Vacarro Thomas Walsh, Trinity Home Builders LLC Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller Topics of Discussion: PD called the meeting to order at 6:32PM. The meeting had a Zoom option appiwation Mr. Walsh purchased the 1830 property and is the principal of Trinity Home Builders. He has applied for complete demolition of the property, and the application Is Incomplete. There are areas of the house that are not supported by the foundation (a combination of rubblestone, brick and cinder block), the Floor joists are compromised, and the ceilings are caving in. A structural engineer's report confirms that the structure is compromised. One of Page I 1 the missing Items from the demo delay application was the set of architectural plans and engineering plants and details as referenced in the RHC Rules and Regulations document Mr. Walsh has built other homes in Reading, and he is presently building the house at 114 Forest Street. He would like to build a similar house at 472 Summer Ave., but he would add a farmer's porch as a nod to the historic home. He said he would submit to RHC the plans (revised as necessary) he had submitted for the 114 Forest Street house as a part of the application for 472 Summer Ave. The new house would be approximately 4,500 sq-ft compared to the 2,100 sq-ft historic home on the .777-acre lot. VA asked if the house could be moved and if it had post and beam structure. Mr. Walsh did not know if it had post and beam structure but opined it could not be lifted while a new foundation was built. SC suggested that photos of the poor foundation and sloping floors would be helpful to add to the application. Mr. Walsh invited the RHC to visit 472 Summer Ave. as well as the house at 114 Forest Street. PD Informed him that our next meeting is February 12, and we would need to post a hearing notice 14 days in advance for the demo delay hearing. 7:00 PM Discussion about demolition delay bylaw with Readino Historical and Architectural Inventory Homeowners PD delivered a PowerPoint presentation to the attendees about the Demolition Delay Bylaw proposed revision and the RHC's consideration to Increase the demolition delay from six to 12 months. He emphasized that the meeting was about community outreach and that the RHC wanted audience feedback. Questions and comments from the audience included: - What are the requirements to be on the inventory? The inventory represents all types of building stock In Reading. The structures are architecturally, culturally, and/or historically significant. Reading's inventory is list -based rather than date -based. - Will 472 Summer Ave. be torn down? PD responded that demolition of a historic property requires a public hearing. All abutters within 300 feet of the historic property will be Invited to a public hearing. RHC's next scheduled meeting date is February 12, 2025, and the hearing may be scheduled for that date If the applicant submits all required materials within the time necessary to comply with posting requirements. - Are there programs to support property owners who want to sell a historic home or are considering demolition? The RHC can photograph the historic home and help describe the architectural elements of the home. The RHC can help develop targeted marketing to parties who may be Interested in historic homes. The RHC can work with the homeowner to encourage preserving/retaining historic features/elements of the home, or to encourage moving the house or less than full demolition of the structure. - Does the RHC Treasurer raise funds for historic homes? ]EB explained that the RHC has a $1,500 budget from the Select Board each year. Most of the funds are used to maintain the Town Archive at Town Hall. - Phil Vacarro, owner of the Manning Block, 601 - 607 Main Street, explained that he demolished part of the building (605 - 607 Main Street) after sitting out the six-month demolition delay. He does not want his property to be included on the inventory and suggests that there be two types of demolition delays - one for commercial and one for residential properties. - One homeowner suggested that extending the demolition delay from six to 12 months would discourage developers and devalue the property. - Another homeowner who purchased his property in 2016 suggested that there be an option for homeowners to remove themselves from the inventory. His opinion is that by targeting a select market of buyers, competition for purchase is reduced and the property is devalued. Page 1 2 A member of the audience who is a commercial real estate attorney asked if we had any data showing how the sale of historical properties to potential developers was affected by the length of the demolition delay. The answer was no. The intent of the bylaw is to preserve the structure. Another member of the audience noted that old structures with commercial or mixed zoning need to be ADA compliant, and extending the delay to 12 months would put financial restrictions on owners. He suggested that the bylaw be changed so that properties can be removed from the inventory. He also noted from the presentation that more than one half of the communities in the Commonwealth have no demolition delay. Lastly, he suggested that homeowners speak to their precinct's Town Meeting Members, as any extension of the delay and bylaw change would need to be approved by Town Meeting. The RHC responded that the 12-month demolition delay would help preserve homes for people who want to purchase an old home. PD mentioned that homeowners could put a Preservation Restriction Agreement (PRA) on their home to protect It for perpetuity. Action: RHC to develop educational materials on developing a PRA. A homeowner from Grand Street asked to have his home removed from the inventory. He has a double lot, and he could potentially sell half of the property to be developed. He Inquired at Town Hall about this possibility and was told no. Another homeowner asked If historic homeowners qualified for a tax break. The answer was no. A homeowner from Franklin Street spoke of valuing the ownership of a historic property and the commitment to Its preservation. He supported a commercial waiver for demolition delay of commercial properties. A homeowner from Salem Street requested information on a PRA. The owner of two historic properties in Reading expressed his struggle between personal rights and maintaining the character of the town. Changing the demolition delay to 12 months is important to Reading and Its history and can be seen as a benefit. PD commented that we would work with AMN to conduct an on-line poll of inventory owners to get additional Insights. PD thanked the homeowners for attending the meeting and for expressing their opinions. RMHS history award SC to contact Mr. Fiore at RMHS to define the requirements for the reward. ADF will reword the document that describes the reward and Its criteria. AB asked If the RHC could be more descriptive in its topics of discussions on its agenda so that she could field questions about them. The RHC thanked her for her support for the evening. She left the meeting at 8:35PM. 71 Franklin Street The annex of the house has been demolished. PD will contact Bret Bennett to see if a demo permit was applied for. NEDCC reprints of historic photos SC confirmed that NEDCC will unframe and digitize 20 photos, Induding those hanging In the Town Hall conference Room plus 10 full sized reproductions. Bill Brown questions about Pearl Street School and Honor Roll - remove from agenda 32 Lowell Street/facade preservation - property is on the market - remove from agenda 25 Haven Street/Art Deco light fixture preservation SIB to meet with Bllal, representative of the Reading Mosque property owner, the week of January 13 to discuss. Accession of Daniel Pratt Clock - SC to follow up Page 1 3 CatalooIt software updates SC sent a work order for file uploads from the Archive. She will have a demonstration for us at the next meeting. Update on historical research into homes and Historic and Architectural Inventory SB is working on three Form Bs. She has completed Form B for 64 Berkeley Street, and the new owners want to be on the Inventory. Town Archive review and updates - nothing to report Finance/Treasurer's report JEB reiterated that archivist Robin Merrow's final invoice has been paid. Funds have been encumbered for NEDCC ($2,950) and CatalogIt ($1,400). The remaining $580.65 from AARPA has been encumbered for archival needs and a purchase order has been issued for Staples; the purchase order for archival needs can be changed once another vendor is selected. Future Agenda Items • Add parcel number to our Historic and Architectural Inventory spreadsheet Review minutes from the December meeting JEB made a motion to approve the minutes of December 11 as amended; PD second; Vote 5 - 0. PD made a motion to adjourn at 8:50PM, seconded by JEB, Vote 5 - 0. Documents and exhibits used at meetina • Demolition Delay application for 472 Summer Ave. (RHC 24-3) • Demolition Delay PowerPoint presentation • RMHS History Award Next Meeting: February 12, 2025, 6:30PM, Town Hall Conference Room. Rescheduled to February 26, 2025, 6:30PM, Town Hall Berger Room.