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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-15 Historic District Commission Minutes6 OF Rfq Town of Reading Meeting Minutes x Historic District Commission 2 �o' Ph: 781-942-6654 or Fax: 781-942-9071 hdc@ci.reading.ma.us Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Historic District Commission Date: 2025-09-15 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: General Business Attendees: Members - Present: Location: Town Hall Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Members: Everett Blodgett (EB), Ilene Bornstein (IB), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), Greg Maganzini (GM) Associate Members: Virginia Adams (VA), Ann Ward (AW) Members - Not Present: N/A Others Present: Adam Caterino, Robert and Laurel McCarthy (182 West Street), Francesca Callan (215 West Street), Manuel Vasconcielos (198 Summer Ave), Jerry Lamb (186 Summer Ave), Will Finch and Kim Honetschlager Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Pino D'Orazio Topics of Discussion: PO called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 182 West Street - Public Hearin PD opened the public hearing. The applicants, Robert and Laurel McCarthy, seek approval of a new addition to the home. They are planning a two story addition, including a new deck and the installation of similar vinyl siding that already exists on the home. They also plan to install a metal roof over a new farmer's porch. The HOC and applicants discussed the project. Three new windows were not included in the plans but will be installed in a downstairs mudroom and downstairs bathroom. After further discussion, PD made a motion to close the public hearing. IB seconded. The public meeting was closed after a 5-0 vote. PD made a motion to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness subject to the following: -Zoning approval for the deck; -Similar siding/roofing material to the existing home; -Metal roof over the farmer's porch; and -The final project will be substantially similar to plans presented at tonight's meeting GM seconded. The motion passed 5-0. 215 West Street The applicant, Francesca Callan, seeks changes to an exterior door and stairs. As part of the stair project, existing iron railings will be removed. EB made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness. PD seconded. The motion passed 5-0. PD made a motion to waive the public hearing. ADF seconded. The motion passed 5-0. 116 Wert Street The applicant did not attend and the application was tabled. 198 Summer Avenue The applicant's representative, Manuel Vasconcielos from Window World, attended the meeting. The applicant seeks to replace four original windows with new vinyl windows. The existing framing will be used and the existing wood shutters will remain. There was a discussion regarding vinyl windows in the historic districts. After some discussion, the applicant agreed to use simulated divided light windows with window grids on the outside of the glass windows, in addition to the preservation of the existing window frames and wood shutters. PD made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness. IB seconded. The motion passed 3-1-1(ADF voted no, EB abstained). PD made a motion to waive a public hearing. GM seconded. The motion passed 5-0. 186 Summer Avenue Jerry lamb provided an update on the home that experienced significant fire damage several months ago. He provided a report from his structural engineer that recommends demolition of the main house due to extensive fire damage. The HDC reviewed the Preservation Restriction Agreement for the property and recommended a joint meeting with the Reading Historical Commission in October. Single Use Historic Districts The HDC discussed the feasibility of establishing historic districts for single properties. Will Finch and Kim Honetschlager, the owners of a historic house in town, attended. EB outlined the HDC's research into the use of single home historic districts. The attendees expressed interest in potentially pursuing a deed restriction for their home. The HDC will continue to work with them. Addition of Pictures to the HDC Website EB said he will work on this in the coming weeks. Maps of Historic Homes/Districts No updates. Community Outreach No updates. Future Agenda Items N/A PD said he will have August and September minutes ready for the October meeting PD moved to adjourn the meeting. GM seconded. Meeting adjourned after a 5-0 vote at 9:10 PM.