HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-12 Historic District Commission MinutesRECEIVED
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1015 MAY - e'`
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Meeting Minutes
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? Historic District Commission
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Historic District Commission
Date: 2025-03-12 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: General Business Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present
Members: Everett Blodgett (EB), Ilene Bornstein (IB), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia
Devin Freedman (ADF),
Associate Members: Virginia Adams (VA), Ann Ward (AW)
Members - Not Present: Greg Maganzini (GM)
Others Present: Jeff Shute (100 West St), Daniel & Alex Kaplan (195 West St)
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Pino D'Orazio
Topics of Discussion:
PD called the meeting to order at 7:05PM. PD elevated AW to a voting member after VA
deferred.
100 West Street
The property owner of 100 West Street, Jeff Shute, submitted an application to replace his
garage door to accommodate a new playroom and storage room on the first floor of the home.
Mr. Shute initially went to the wrong meeting and missed the initial discussion but arrived later
in the meeting to discuss his project. The HDC discussed the details of the project, including the
replacement of the garage door with a smaller door, the installation of vinyl siding to replace
where the garage door would be removed, and the installation of windows on the side of the
house. Since the home was built in 1965, the HDC determined that a Certificate of
Non -Applicability was appropriate because the project did not affect more than 25% of any
facade visible from a public way, which is required for houses less than 70 years old, according
to Section 7.3.9.1 of the General Bylaw.
PD made a motion to issue a Certificate of Non -Applicability. EB seconded. The motion passed
5-0. The HDC will issue a Certificate of Non -Applicability.
195 West Street
The property owners of 195 West Street, Daniel and Alexandra Kaplan, submitted an application
to renovate several areas of the home.
The owners presented a slide show detailing the scope of the project. Most changes to the
house will be visible from the Prescott Street (north side) of the property. The HDC discussed
several criteria with the applicants:
The hood over the rear door will be removed and replaced with a window. A new
hood will be made of wood and moved to the current basement door;
Two basement windows near the foundation will be repaired/replaced to
prevent water penetration into the basement;
Trex material will be used for the stairs by the basement door, but will be very
low to the ground; and
The kitchen window will contain transom features.
EB made a motion to approve the application as presented. AW seconded. The motion passed
5-0. The HDC will issue a Certificate of Appropriateness.
PD made a motion to waive the Public Hearing. EB seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Design and Pattern Book Consultation
EB attended a meeting about a proposed Design and Pattern Book within the Town's MBTA
zones and provided a summary to the HDC.
Somerville Response to HDC Inauiry
ADF summarized her correspondence with City of Somerville officials regarding their use of
Historic District designations for single family homes. The HDC discussed this idea for the Town
of Reading, but acknowledged that future efforts to pursue this issue are not imminent.
Maps of Historic Homes/Districts
EB presented a map of Town of Reading historic homes and districts that the Town provided to
him.
186 Summer Avenue
Nothing significant to report.
META Communities Act
Nothing significant to report.
Community Outreach
Nothing significant to report.
PD moved to adjourn the meeting. EO seconded. Meeting adjourned after 5-0 vote.