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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-12-20 Historical Commission MinutesReading Historical Commission 20 December 2000 Minutes Attending: Clay Jones Virginia Adams Roberta Sullivan Wilbar Hoxie Sharlene Santo Stephen Spinazola Roberta Schneider Diane Schneider 117- C IVD T0.... CLERK R ADI 'G, MASS. .2001 MAR - S P 10 8 Katherine Austin Called to order 7:35 1375 Main Street: The house at this address is a circa 1840 structure of the Greek Revival style. It is known as the Sumner-Chaney house and includes a barn which is in poor condition. The house but not the barn is on the town's inventory of historic properties. Both house and barn are slated to be town down as part of a comprehensive permit under consideration by the ZBA. The commission is not sure how to proceed with the delay and how it relates to the comprehensive permit. 12 units of housing are expected to be built. Roberta read a letter written by Virginia supporting the incorporation of the 1840 house into the building plans. Local residents as concerned about increased density. It would also be a rather large 4 story structure in an area of single family homes. The next ZBA meeting (December 21) will take up the issues of the local residents. Adjourned: 8:05 Reading Historical Commission Public Hearing 20 December 2000 Attending: Clay Jones Virginia Adams Roberta Sullivan Wilbar Hoxie Sharlene Santo Kathy Greenfield Guests: Sally Hoyt Catherine Austein Stephen Spinazola Angelo Salamone Thomas J. Ryan Robert A. Schneider Diane J. Schneider Peter Hechenbleikner Karen Epstein Peggy White A. Sin Betty Cronin Linda Phillips Board of Selectmen 40 Gavin Circle 48 Gavin Circle 45 Beacon Street 87 Dana Road 49 Gavin Circle 49 Gavin Circle Town Manager 69 Scotland Road 97 Prospect Street Lowell Street 403 Pearl Street COA Willow Street Town Mtg member Called to order: 8:30 Clay read the notice that was printed in the local papers. "This is to serve notice the Reading Historical Commission, under authority and requirements of Section 5.13 Demolition of Structures of Potential Historical Significance of the General By-laws for the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, shall hold a public hearing on the demolition of the potentially significant structure, as defined in Section 5.13.2.4 of the General By-Law, at 67 Pleasant Street (Old Police Station) (Assessor;s Map, Lot). Under the requirements of Section 5.13.3.3, a positive initial determination was made as to significance by the Historic Commission on December 5, 2000. The public hearing will be held on December 20, 2000 at 8:30 PM, in the Conference Room, at Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street. Please direct public inquiry to Anne Krieg, Town Planner, in the Community Development Office, Clayton Jones, Chairman, Reading Historic Commission" The hearing began with the introduction of members and the applicant, town manager, Peter I. Hechenbleikner. The town manager listed all the pertinent information: the building of a new police station, attempt of finding reuse for the building, and the Down Town Steering Committee's desire to use the land as a parking lot for the downtown area. The town Manager pointed out: "Danvers Savings Bank built in Reading and the town lost 3 parking spaces and promised to the town $58,000 to aid in the demolition of the old police station. The demolition went out to bid receiving a very low bid of $27,000 that must be acted on tomorrow, December 21, 2000. The Board of Selectmen met last night with some members Historical Commission posing the consensus that the RHC has had 3 years to come forward to try and save this building. If the building is demolished the town has been applying for a grant to purchase more land and create a lot for use as town parking. The RHC has been called in on all the processes affecting the Old Police Station". The town has already applied for a demolition permit on November 16. Sally Hoyt, Selectman, said that it would be preferable to save the building for some form of reuse. Now that she is aware of the historic nature of the building, she is very enthusiastic about its reuse. A period of questions and answers followed. Virginia When was the first grant applied for? Peter H Two years ago. Virginia Were there plans if no grant is forthcoming? Peter H Down town parking is in the capital improvement plan. Virginia How did you advertise the property? Peter H It was advertised for sale, lease, or possible donation. Angelo S expressed his interest in purchase for residential reuse. Tom Ryan What is the historic significance? Clay Built 1930. First building used as a police station. Tom Ryan Why didn't you know about it? Clay At the time that the Old Police Station was being discussed the commission did not know it was on the state registry. Karen Epstein Concerned citizen. Wants to see the parking lot proceed as planned. Peggy White The police station is not as good an example of the Georgian style. Certainly the OPS is not as good as the town hall. The attempt to save the building is "Day late and a dollar short" Betty Cronin Was there another grant for parking? PH We did receive money as a blight removal increasing the Harnden Street parking. Linda Phillips Retaining wall. Number of parking spaces 16 as is, 24 without addition; 42 with the purchase of new land. Next grant application due February 9. Responses from realtors: Colonial Manor and Century 21 say the property is worth about 275,000-300,000. Lois Bond Senior center needs parking more conducive for the seniors. -Lack of parking is an impediment to senior programming. Virginia I have received a few calls and a letter urging us to delay. Mass Historical called today to say that the property may be eligible for national registry inclusion. This would allow tax credits for commercial rehab. An architect called today who felt it could be rehabbed for $40 per square foot. Linda Phillips a town meeting member, received some calls in favor of delay. Motion to close the hearing 9:45. Motion is made by Virginia the the RHC make the positive determination to vote the Old Police Station at 67 Pleasant Street a preferably preserved historic structure. Discussion: Wilbar feels the town did not make sufficient effort to find a reuse for the Old Police Station. The six months would allow the RHC to find ways to reuse the building. Cathy comments that even within the Downtown Steering Committee is not unanimous in its desperate need for more parking. Virginia mentions that the the grant for 350,000 has not been forthcoming. Clay asked the town manager if he will help the commission to find a reuse. He will help, but it will not be a priority. Louise felt that the commission should have pursued saving the building from the beginning. If the building is worth the effort now it was worth it before the commission discovered it was on the state registry of historic structures. The town has invested a lot of time and effort in plans for the parking lot. Virginia felt that we would not be delaying the actual construction of a parking lot. Our mandate is preservation. The demolition can be rebid at any time. Once the building is lost it is lost for all time. There is some interest in the building. Rezoning for commercial use would need 2/3 of town meeting. Call for vote 3-1-1. Passed. The demolitions delay is place on the Old Police Station at 67 Pleasant Street. Approved as amended 1/23/01 A