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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-21 Historic District Commission MinutesRECEIVED By AC a15:14 am, AW 18, M25 49 oye ,� Town of Reading iy Meeting Minutes Historic District Commission �o" Ph: 781-942-6654 or Fax: 781-942-9071 Q>a,1��� hdc@ci.reading.ma.us Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historic District Commission Date: 2025-05-21 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: Jerry Lamb, Chrisanne Connolly and Katherine Latham (186 Summer Ave); Timothy Heaney (4 County Road); Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Pino D'Orazio Topics of Discussion: PD called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. PD elevated VA to a voting member 186 Summer Avenue Jerry Lamb, Chrisanne Connolly and Katherine Latham attended the meeting. Mr. Lamb is the current owner of the property and Ms. Connolly and Ms. Latham represent a potential purchaser. Mr. Lamb presented a change to the deck railings that were previously approved by the HDC. The proposed deck railings will now be Timbertech material and the railings will be black with white spindles. Mr. Lamb pointed out that the railings will be on the deck of the new addition. A discussion ensued regarding the use of artificial materials within the Historic District PD made a motion to amend the previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness. EB seconded. The motion passed 5-0. ADF will issue an updated Certificate. IB noted that this approval should not be precedent setting for other deck projects in the Historic District. Ms. Connoly and Ms. Latham provided more information about the pending application for the potential installation of a pool and tennis court at the property. A discussion ensued about the ability to transfer a Certificate of Appropriateness from one homeowner to a subsequent purchaser. PD said he will ask the town to answer the transferability question. The HDC informed the applicants that more detail, including measurements and setbacks, will be required prior to a public hearing on the application. 120 West Street The HDC reviewed an application for a 4' cedar fence across the street -facing side of the property. The owner was unable to attend. PD made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness. III seconded. The motion passed 5-0. PD made a motion to waive a Public Hearing. III seconded. The motion passed 5-0. 4 County Road The property owner of 4 County Road, Timothy Heaney, returned to discuss his desire to replace an existing chain link fence that was hit by a car with a 6-foot white vinyl fence. The owner proposed to repurpose part of an existing vinyl fence in addition to the installation of new vinyl fencing along the West Street side of the property. Mr. Heaney stated that he priced out wood fencing that was several thousand dollars more expensive than his proposed solution. The HDC discussed the issuance of a Certificate of Hardship. EB made a motion to approve a Certificate of Hardship. PD seconded. The motion passed 4-1, with VA voting no. Some conditions will be listed in the Certificate, including the planting of an evergreen variety of the owner's choice in front of the vinyl fence. 200 West Street The HDC reviewed an application for the installation of a heat pump behind the house at 200 West Street. The pump and conduits will not be visible from the public way. PD made a motion to approve a Certificate of Non -Applicability. EB seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Desien and Pattern Book Consultation Nothing significant to report. Somerville Resoonse to HDC Inauiry Nothing significant to report Nothing significant to report. META Communities Act Nothing significant to report. Community Outreach Nothing significant to report. April meeting minutes will be reviewed at the June meeting. PD moved to adjourn the meeting. EB seconded. Meeting adjourned after 5-0 vote.